On August 2, to celebrate his 26th birthday, Mark organized a fan treasure hunt titled “Found & Marked”, hiding 26 personal items and stickers in public areas including Jamwon Han River Park, Seoul Forest and Namsan Park. The event began at 9 AM, with maps shared online to guide participants.
However, the event quickly drew backlash when staff at the public venues revealed they had not been informed or granted prior approval. Public workers on-site expressed frustration over the unannounced event, particularly given the extreme heat and the responsibility they bore in managing large crowds and protecting cultural property.
According to witnesses, workers removed all stickers from one of the parks, while loudspeaker announcements were made to address the situation. Despite this, SM continued the event at the remaining locations, where fans reportedly found most of the hidden items.
It was later discovered that the stickers used were not cleanly removable and left residue, prompting further outrage online. Fans and netizens alike criticized the agency for the poor planning and lack of communication with public authorities.
Adding fuel to the fire, SM issued no formal apology. Instead, they simply declared the event completed with a cheerful message: “Congratulations! All clear! Mark’s 26 treasures were all discovered as of 12:58pm… Have a Happy Mark Day!”
The tone-deaf response only amplified public backlash, with many calling for accountability and even legal action. Netizens flooded online communities with harsh criticism, calling the event “reckless”, “a public nuisance” and “absurd”.
They questioned why such an event wasn’t held on private premises or with proper permission and lamented the agency’s lack of common sense, especially given SM’s long-standing status in the industry.
As of now, no formal apology or corrective action has been announced by SM Entertainment, leaving many disappointed by the company’s handling of what could have been a meaningful fan event.
Sources: Allkpop
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