American Musician Olivia Rodrigo’s “Disappointing” Meet & Greet Is Going Viral With K-Pop Fans

American Musician Olivia Rodrigo‘s recent meet-and-greet event has disappointed some netizens but is going viral with K-Pop fans for an ironic reason.

Olivia Rodrigo first debuted as an actress in the Disney programs Bizaardvark and High School Musical: The Series before her debut single, “Drivers License,” broke multiple records in 2021. She was involved in the most viral moment from the 2022 Grammy Awards, trending alongside BTS‘s V.

US broadacsting company, CBS TV posted about V's whispering moment with OLIVIA RODRIGO at the 64th GRAMMY Awards, along with caption, "When u hv a secret that's too good to keep quiet".

📎 https://t.co/DyqwfDtMnc

➡️ Pls give likes & share for V.#BTSV #V pic.twitter.com/oc1xXJoF73

— KTH HYPE (@kthhype_ttg8) February 1, 2023

On September 8, Olivia Rodrigo’s second full album, GUTS, was released and met with critical acclaim.

As part of promotions for her new release, Olivia Rodrigo surprised fans with a special meet and greet session at a local store. However, the method quickly became a hot topic because she was not there in person.

Videos from the event show fans standing in front of a screen talking to the artist through what she described as “the world’s most high-tech Zoom.”

@coffeyboy

Truly never had so much fun at a Target at 7am in my life. @Olivia Rodrigo answered all our questions about #GUTS !! 💜#westwoodtarget #fyp #targetexclusive #gutsmerch #gethimback

♬ original sound – Logan Coffey

While fans seemed to enjoy the experience, netizens had a less than favorable view of the event, even calling it “dystopian.”

a virtual meet and greet………… this feels so dystopian 😭 pic.twitter.com/9Z3smZChFp

— rudy (@rudyIopez) September 8, 2023

This is super creepy https://t.co/wzSNZ7DLu2

— TwoScoopsXD (@TwoScoopsXD) September 9, 2023

this is scaring me so bad, if it wasn’t for the incorrect eye contact I’d think she was actually there 😭 https://t.co/bOdmrOMnv5

— Simone (@SimonesFiasco) September 9, 2023

K-Pop fans, however, had a completely different view of the event!

As many know, one of the only ways to talk to your favorite idol is through fan sign events.

Before COVID-19 shutdowns, these were entirely in-person, with the video call concept being introduced at that time. Now, fans from anywhere in the world can chat with their favorite idols through the screen.

230909 영케이 영통 뮤직플랜트 Musicplant VideoCall

I'm saying that i can't come to his concert in Jakarta and here's his answer 🥺

🦊 : "Put your life first and that sounds amazing for me"

My YoungK you'll always be my favorite person 🥺🫶🏻#영케이 #YoungK pic.twitter.com/3pCRr4YYPF

— ️️️️ ️️️️️mil (@ykleeno) September 9, 2023

Because they are used to it, K-Pop fans couldn’t help but laugh at the dramatic reactions to this virtual event, with some even hoping it gave companies ideas for future events!

forget not everyone is a kpop stan like woah..full body fancall https://t.co/kVsjxDpf5v

— ♡🦋 (@kaidater) September 9, 2023

Is this not just a fan call? This is literally a fan call https://t.co/MtL4tvk5za

— andrea BSS enjoyer (@inaswirlingday) September 9, 2023

laughs in kpop stan https://t.co/d7Vev58bhw

— ً lena 🍡 (@i8zoro) September 9, 2023

Kpop entertainment companies need to step up their game https://t.co/GikvEw0JAE

— chai 🧳 (@chtaxo) September 9, 2023

Olivia recently rocked the same look as BLACKPINK‘s Jennie, which you can read more about below.

BLACKPINK’s Jennie And American Singer Olivia Rodrigo Had A “Twinning” Moment, Rocking The Same Mini-Dress In Different Ways