Girl group IVE will no longer accept gifts from fans except for heartfelt letters, said their agency.
In an announcement made on 15 December, Starship Entertainment declared, “We have decided to stop accepting any gifts or support other than fan letters from now on. This decision was made with the hope that the gifts you send will go to those who need the most, so we ask for your understanding and cooperation.”
“If you are currently preparing or planning any form of support, we respectfully ask that you refrain from doing so, and we will gratefully accept only the heartfelt sentiments of our fans,” they added.
The announcement came just after member Jang Won-young, who has a strong fan base in China, received luxury gifts from them for her birthday back in August. This includes items from Chaumet, Bulgari and Van Cleef.
The total value of the gifts alone amounted to nearly KRW 500 million, sparking significant discussion.
It is noted that there have been several South Korean big names that have banned fans from giving hefty gifts, including G-Dragon, BTS and Twice.
(Photo Source: IVE IG)