The 2025 SBS Gayo Daejeon is drawing intense backlash from K-pop fans after details about fan seating allocations were revealed with some idol groups reportedly receiving as few as three seats each.

According to posts circulating across Korean online communities, SBS has drastically reduced the number of fan seats available for participating artists. The revelation quickly went viral, with fans expressing disbelief, frustration, and anger over what they see as an unprecedentedly low allocation.

Groups currently reported to have received just three fan seats include:

  • HITGS – 3 seats
  • Baby Don’t Cry – 3 seats
  • ALLDAY PROJECT – 3 seats
  • izna – 3 seats
  • ZEROBASEONE – 3 seats
  • MEOVV – 3 seats

Fans speculate that other participating artists are likely facing similar limitations, although official figures for all performers have not yet been disclosed.

The situation has sparked sarcastic and angry reactions online, with fans questioning how such a small number of seats could possibly represent each group’s fandom.

Comments circulating on K-pop forums include sentiments such as:

  • Even 30 seats would be ridiculously few I’d at least get that but 3 seats, what the hell.
  • Not even 30 seats, but 3? Are you kidding me.
  • I went in as soon as the notice popped up, saw “3 seats,” and was so dumbfounded, like wtf lol.
  • So it’s first-come-first-served, right? Basically picking just those 3 people?
  • The broadcaster has completely lost it over ticket sales looks like they’re planning to fill everything with foreigners.
  • Instead of selling the rest to overseas fans, they’re just giving them whatever’s left after selling everything lol. SBS is the most obsessed with ticket sales, and honestly the worst about it.
  • That’s fewer seats than the number of members.
  • Two years ago they gave out like 80 seats, so I thought they were generous with fan sections for an end-of-year awards show but 3 seats? What is that.

Some fans also pointed out that past year-end music festivals typically offered far larger fan sections, making the 2025 allocation feel especially jarring.

While SBS has not officially commented on the fan seating issue, the lack of transparency has only intensified frustration. Fans argue that year-end music festivals like SBS Gayo Daejeon are meant to celebrate the connection between idols and their supporters something they feel is being undermined by the current setup.

Sources: Theqoo