ARMYs Demand More: HYBE Faces Backlash Over BTS Festa 2024

HYBE is facing intense criticism from ARMYs worldwide over the newly announced BTS Festa 2024.

HYBE is facing intense criticism from ARMYs worldwide over the newly announced BTS Festa 2024 merchandise and application criteria for Jin’s upcoming event. The latest backlash highlights fans' frustration with the perceived low-effort designs and controversial application rules.

Uninspired Merchandise Sparks Outrage

June is a significant month for BTS and their fans, with Jin’s discharge from military service and the group's 11th anniversary on June 13. To celebrate, HYBE announced the BTS Festa 2024 schedule and its accompanying merchandise. However, the excitement was quickly overshadowed by disappointment over the merchandise designs.

Fans expressed their discontent with the basic and uninspired designs of items like oversized T-shirts, zip-up hoodies, phone cases, and bucket hats. Despite offering customization options, many felt the designs lacked creativity and were overpriced. The ongoing boycott of HYBE due to its links to Zionism only fueled the criticism.

One X user summed up the frustration, saying,

"Whoever is in charge of creative direction for BTS, be it for merch or posters or group album concepts, needs to be fired and replaced by 2025, and I’m so serious.”

Another added

“$90 for that ugly hoodie? Even if there was no boycott going on, no one should be paying this much for something so basic.”

HYBE Responds to Controversial Application Rules

In another blow to HYBE, the initial announcement regarding Jin’s offline event for the "2024 FESTA" faced immediate backlash. Fans were required to hold a BTS Membership and purchase BTS albums released after "Proof" via Weverse Shop to apply for the event, leading to widespread dissatisfaction.

Big Hit Music, under HYBE, quickly responded to the criticism.

"We apologize for the lack of clarity in our previous announcement and for not setting detailed application criteria in advance. We will consider the criteria thoroughly and announce the details as soon as possible," the agency stated.

The controversy arose as the criteria allowed the purchase of other BTS members' solo works to count towards the application, overshadowing the significance of Jin’s event. Fans who already owned the albums felt compelled to repurchase them, which many saw as a commercial strategy rather than a genuine celebration of Jin’s return.

Moving Forward

HYBE's recent missteps have left ARMYs feeling undervalued and frustrated. The company must take these criticisms seriously and make meaningful changes to regain fans' trust and support. As Jin’s special event on June 13 approaches, fans hope HYBE will deliver an experience that truly honors Jin’s contribution and connects meaningfully with the ARMY community.