On May 13, the YouTube channel “TEO” uploaded a video titled “The Day We’ve Waited So Long For Is Finally Here｜EP. 90 (G)I-DLE Minnie & Yuqi“.
In the video, host Jang Do-yeon said to Minnie, “I heard you personally spent 10 million won to invite 100 acquaintances to the concert.“
Yuqi responded, “There’s a ‘Minnie zone’. When we perform in Thailand, her family, acquaintances, schoolmates and friends all gather in one section.“
Yuqi then voiced her frustration, “There’s something I just don’t get. Isn’t inviting people to your concert a good thing? Why do we have to buy our own concert tickets? Officially, we only get four free tickets per person, and the rest we have to purchase with our own money.“
To that, Jang Do-yeon joked, “You should’ve included that in your contract renegotiation.” Yuqi and Minnie lamented, saying they forgot to do so. Minnie added, “We have three years left [on our contract]. We already re-signed, so it’s too late.” Yuqi said, “Thank you, senior. I’ll talk to the company again.“
However, fan reactions to the video have been sharply critical. In the comment section, viewers wrote, “Celebrities really live in a different world. They only think from their own perspective and don’t understand why paying for tickets to give to friends is even a problem“, “That concert comment is probably going to be edited out later. They’re totally unaware of how sensitive people are about celebrities inviting others to concerts for free these days“, “Yuqi, your fans all pay for tickets… and it’s not even your own money funding the concert, it’s the company’s” and “Fans are expected to buy tickets with their own money, but of course, they see fans as suckers.“
The clip was also shared across several online communities, where netizens continued expressing their outrage.
Top Comments on Pann:
- Yuqi’s comment was wrong, sure, but why are people suddenly using this as a chance to bash the whole group? There are upvoted comments blaming all of (G)I-DLE. The other members did nothing wrong—don’t lump them all together.
- Because she’s not the only one making that concert happen. There are countless behind-the-scenes staff and major costs involved.
- It’s strange—she seems to think a concert happens because of just the five group members. But the investors, staff, and everyone working behind the scenes are also the people who “put on” the show. They all work professionally and get paid, but none of them demand extra free tickets like it’s owed to them. It’s sad she doesn’t see that.
- What is she even talking about? That’s like saying a convenience store owner should give out stuff for free even though it’s not technically theirs.
- Sure, the idols perform—but concert venues, stage setups, staff, and all the costs aren’t funded by the artists. If that logic applied, then athletes, actors, and cast members in sports games, musicals, or movies should all get unlimited free tickets too.
The controversy highlights growing sensitivity among fandoms regarding fairness in concert access and the perceived value of fans’ financial support.