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In Korea, a significant controversy arose surrounding BLACKPINK's 10th-anniversary fan event, held on August 8, 2026. The core reason for the widespread buzz and fan disappointment was not solely the value of the fan gifts, but rather the perceived lack of preparation and poor communication regarding the event's organization.
The "MEET & GREET" event, held at the National Museum of Korea, was announced just two days prior on August 6, 2026, through Weverse. Only 40 paid Weverse membership holders were randomly selected to attend, a number deemed too small for a global group's decade-long milestone. Initially, full member attendance was uncertain, though all four members ultimately participated and later issued apologies. The fan gift, a 6,900 won tteok (rice cake) set, also drew criticism for its perceived lack of sincerity.
Local bloggers expressed that fans were deeply hurt by the apparent lack of effort for such a monumental anniversary, especially given the sacrifices made by the 40 attendees who adjusted schedules and traveled on short notice. The sentiment was that for a small, exclusive event, a more thoughtful and symbolic gift, along with meticulous planning, was expected, rather than a generic, mass-produced item.
