Korean celebrities are starting to decline expensive gifts from their fans in the wake of a few corruption cases. Some celebrities have recently been criticized for asking their fans to buy them specific items.

Kang Min-hyuk (Kang's Instagram)

For instance, Kang Min-hyuk of Korean boy pop rock band CN Blue posted on his Instagram on July 20: “I tried so hard to get my hands on this watch, but I heard it is a very rare item worldwide. I‘ve never wanted something this badly. I won’t rest until I get my hands on you.” He also posted on Instagram a photo of the watch he was referring to.

the Patek Philippe watch (Kang's Instagram)

The watch he was referring to was from the brand Patek Philippe, and costs around $27,000. Kang deleted the post after criticism that it could be interpreted as an implicit request for his fans to buy him that expensive watch.

Danny Ahn (Box Media)

In 2013, Danny Ahn from Korean pop group g.o.d. wrote on SNS Kakaotalk, “I want this so badly” next to a photo of LG Twins baseball jacket. About a week later, he posted on his SNS, saying, “Haha I finally got the jacket! A fan bought it for me. Now I just have to find playoff tickets.” Ahn deleted his Kakaotalk posts after he was barraged with criticism for requesting gifts from fans and very casually receiving them.

the jacket that Ahn posted and received from a fan (Ahn's Kakaostory)

However, there are other celebrities who decline gifts or encourage their fans to give that money to charity instead. Here are a few cases:

Chen from Exo

Chen (S.M. Entertainment)

On July 19 Chen posted on his official homepage on S.M. Entertainment: “I have always been grateful for fans who gave me support, love, and sometimes gifts on my birthday or Exo anniversaries. However, I just want to announce that your love and support for us are more than sufficient, and I will not be receiving gifts from fans from now on.”

Taemin from SHINee

Taemin (S.M. Entertainment)

Taemin had also posted on his official homepage on S.M. Entertainment in 2013: “I am always very grateful for the gifts that my fans send me. But I think it would mean even more to me if you spend that love and care instead to those who need them more than I do.”

Some fan communities heeded Taemin’s request and have donated money to ChildFund Korea since 2014 to help children in financial need.

G-Dragon from Big Bang

G-Dragon (YG Entertainment)

G-Dragon handwrote a message in 2011, “I will not receive birthday gifts from this year on. I am already grateful for my fans‘ love and support.” The rest of the Big Bang members have not received gifts from fans since.

JYP Entertainment

JYP Entertainment, who represent many K-pop groups including TWICE, 2PM, 2AM, GOT7, forbids its artists from receiving expensive gifts. It specified the type of items that celebrities can receive from their fans as hand-written letters, notebooks, receipts of charity donations made under the celebrity’s name, and snacks.

By Lee Ji-hae (jihlee@heraldcorp.com)