aespa have found themselves at the center of controversy after the fan gifts they provided at a pre-recording for this year’s MBC Gayo Daejejeon triggered widespread disappointment and online backlash.
The group prepared food packages for fans who attended the pre-recording session, a practice commonly referred to in Korea as “reverse fan support,” meant to thank fans for arriving early and waiting through long schedules. aespa will not be attending the live New Year’s Eve broadcast, as they are scheduled to perform overseas in Japan that night.
What was intended as a gesture of appreciation, however, quickly turned into a heated debate. According to fans in attendance, the gift bags contained ssambap—a simple Korean meal consisting of rice and side dishes wrapped in leafy vegetables—along with bottled water and disposable hot packs. While ssambap is a familiar everyday dish in Korea, many fans felt it was underwhelming and inappropriate for a large-scale year-end broadcast event.
Criticism intensified when photos began circulating on social media showing multiple gift bags left untouched and discarded in trash cans. The images fueled outrage and led to divided opinions. Some fans viewed the act as a form of protest against what they perceived as low-quality support, while others felt uncomfortable seeing food thrown away, regardless of the circumstances.
Online reactions were particularly harsh, with some fans questioning why a top-tier group backed by a major agency would offer such minimal gifts. Others argued that fans already invest significant time and money traveling to schedules, and should not be expected to accept or consume gifts they find disappointing out of obligation.
The controversy grew further as comparisons were made to fan gifts provided by other idol groups. Fans pointed out that several groups are known for offering full meals, desserts, snacks, photocards, stickers, winter supplies, and even beauty items during pre-recordings. Groups such as ILLIT, BLACKPINK, LE SSERAFIM, and NewJeans were frequently cited as examples of more thoughtful and generous reverse fan support. Some fans also noted that senior groups from the same agency have historically provided more elaborate packages, deepening frustration.
As the discussion spread, many labeled aespa’s gifts as rushed or lacking sincerity, while others argued that the blame should not fall entirely on the artists themselves, but rather on management decisions behind the scenes.
The incident has reignited broader conversations within K-pop fandoms about expectations, entitlement, and what constitutes meaningful fan appreciation. While opinions remain sharply divided, the images of discarded gift bags have already left a strong impression—turning a routine pre-recording gesture into one of the most talked-about fan controversies of the season.
Sources: Koreaboo
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