“Escort?” Active K-Pop Idol’s Agency Accused Of “Pimping” Him Out
Fans are speaking up on behalf of an idol in response to his agency’s announcement for an upcoming fan event.
On March 23, Jellyfish Entertainment announced a promotional event for VERIVERY Kangmin’s upcoming solo debut. His first single album Free Falling, which is set to drop on March 26, will have a LUCKY TICKET event
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KANGMIN 1st Single Album [Free Falling] 발매 기념
LUCKY TICKET 이벤트 안내👉 https://t.co/FgP6ZJixxz#강민 #KANGMIN #VERIVERY#Free_Falling#20260326_6PM
— VERIVERY_OFFICIAL (@the_verivery) March 23, 2026
One pink ticket winner will win a private one-on-one date with Kangmin. Twenty-five gold ticket winners will win a private Han River date with Kangmin, and 250 black ticket winners will win a movie theater date with him. For the private Han River date, he will wear a marine-style outfit to match the theme, and during the movie theater date, there will be a separate event where fans can receive Kangmin’s personal items. The dates will take place sometime in May.
To some fans, this LUCKY TICKET feels exploitive, given that all events are framed explicitly as “dates.” While K-Pop has long featured fan meetings and hi-touch events, a “private 1:1 date” with an idol feels uncomfortably close to paid companionship for some fans.
there’s a limit of how far you can go. kangmin is NOT an object, aren’t you afraid of what’s is going to happen? it’s viewing the artist in a negative way + it’s causing deep concern for us. we don’t want these kind of events.
please reconsider it @jellyfish_ent https://t.co/s83ZK7jqTw pic.twitter.com/mcYu0Z1OT4— rui ✩ (@kkangminnie) March 23, 2026
why are they treating him like an escort
— june (@minjeongscloud) March 23, 2026
boyfriend for rent? atake ah HAHAHAHAHAH crazy
— lele (@sangleoo_) March 23, 2026
What the fuck is this. You’re essentially trying to pimp him out. You should be so ashamed of yourself as a company
— LexiLouWho: Seeing JUSTB LYKN 1VERSE (@LexiLouWho_92) March 23, 2026
kangmin isnt a toy why are you making him go on dates with the highest bidders???
— ♡ ╱ rio ⸝⸝ (@sangkomdani) March 23, 2026
This isn’t the first time Kangmin’s fan service has angered fans. He previously wore a maid costume at a fansign event.
K-Pop Fansign Culture Heavily Criticized After Male Idol Dons Maid Outfit
