On the 12th, it was learned that the Korea Fair Trade Commission will order major entertainment companies to revise their terms by limiting the number of times paid K-pop idol fan club members can rejoin after canceling.
Paid fan club memberships are a system that, for a joining fee of about 30,000 to 50,000 won, offers various benefits such as allowing members to book idol concert tickets in advance. Because of these benefits, not only idol fans but also people who resell concert tickets are said to sign up for paid memberships.
Earlier, on the 10th, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (FTC) noted to entertainment companies that even if paid members receive benefits, a portion of the joining fee should be refunded. As concerns were raised that this measure could benefit scalpers, the commission prepared complementary steps.
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According to a compilation of ChosunBiz reporting that day, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (FTC) plans to limit the number of times one can rejoin after canceling a paid membership. The aim is to break the vicious cycle of "ticket presale → selling tickets to general consumers at high prices → canceling the paid membership and getting a partial refund of the joining fee → rejoining."
The specific number of times rejoining will be limited is to be decided in consultation with the entertainment companies. The Korea Fair Trade Commission (FTC) said it will "continue to inspect and correct unfair terms and transaction practices, focusing on areas closely tied to people's daily lives."