5th Gen Idol Receives Scathing Backlash For Accepting Luxury Fan Gifts
Rising rookie idol Kim Junseo from ALPHA DRIVE ONE has found himself under fire after news of him receiving luxury fan gifts began circulating online.
A fan had gifted him a brand new iPhone 17 along with a case.
He was seen with the phone in a recent group selfie.
While such gifts were once common in idol culture, many netizens have begun questioning the practice, especially amid recent conversations around ethical fan culture and financial pressure within fandoms.
2025년에아직도조공을받는아이돌그룹이있냐?
추잡스럽고표독스럽다
데뷔도전에선물부터거둬들인다?
존나없어보이디없어보인다
시대에한참뒤떨어지다못해역행한다 https://t.co/9fmJdTn2Md— 왑 (@wetassmark_) October 11, 2025
Are there still idol groups in 2025 that accept fan gifts?
It’s disgusting and petty.
They’re collecting presents even before properly debuting?
It looks so cheap and desperate.
They’re not just behind the times — they’re moving backwards.— wetassmark_
However, many defended Junseo against this opinion, claiming that the fan had been a longtime one.
again and again.. knetz.. What's wrong with this? Are you jealous? Junseo received an iPhone as a gift from his fans who have followed him since 2020 & he used it to take photos with ALD1 members, this is proof that Junseo appreciates the fans' gifts. You are so stupid 🤪 https://t.co/GJznDCf8nc
— Xianniesse (@JS_Noonaaaa) October 11, 2025
Some were also concerned about security. After all, it would be easy to hack phones.
how are we allowed to buy phones for idols surely there might be a security issue here https://t.co/hsI8E5fxlF
— 美麗 🦋 (@lookdeobi) October 12, 2025
Others just expressed their envy!
imagine you’re a idol and instead of buying a new phone your fan buys it for you https://t.co/bPob1u7Nls
— sam #김준민 (@gyustation) October 11, 2025
The issue has reignited debate about idol-fan boundaries and how entertainment agencies should handle expensive fan gifts in the modern era. Many K-pop agencies have recently implemented no gift policies, encouraging fans to send letters or make charity donations instead.
