Korean netizens displayed mixed reactions to EXO member/solo artist Baekhyun holding his own birthday cafe event, an event traditionally run by fans and for fans. 

Beginning on May 4 KST, a birthday cafe event hosted by Baekhyun's agency, INB100, opened in several locations, including the main location in Mapo-gu, Seoul. While birthday cafes are known to attract many K-Pop fans generally, this event particularly attracted an immense crowd because fans who were lucky enough to attend the event could receive never-before-scene photocards. (The event accepted only around 1,000 customers per day.)

Fans lined up early in the morning to receive entry numbers to the event, which began at 10:30 AM. According to witnesses, the line was so long throughout the day that nearby businesses complained of their operations being disrupted. 

There was also some criticism over the price of the menu items served at the cafe event, with an iced americano being priced that 5,000 KRW (~ $3.69 USD), an iced latte being priced at 5,500 KRW (~ $4.06 USD), and other beverages and a slice of strawberry cake being priced at 7,500 KRW (~ $5.53 USD). 

Largely, netizens showed mixed reactions to the fact that an idol was holding a birthday cafe event "for profit". As many of you know, birthday cafe events started out as events planned and hosted by fans to celebrate their favorite idol's birthday with fellow fans, exchanging personally-made goods with one another while also promoting their favorite artists to the public. 

Some commented,

"The beverages are too expensive."

"It does feel like he's 'trying to treat the fans' on the outside but what he really wants is to make money off of these events."

"Now he's even hosting the birthday cafe event on his own? He is really out to make sure he can wring the fans dry of every penny."

"If he really wanted to treat the fans on his birthday, shouldn't the beverages and food be free?"

"He's stealing something that fans love to do for their enjoyment so he can make more money."

"It's not a crime to have a business mindset, but at the same time he shouldn't dramatize it being 'a gift for fans' when it's not even free."

"After counting up the profits from this event, he's going to release more versions of his character doll and more accessories kekekekeke."

"Going as far as monetizing even birthday cafes does give him a strong image as a businessman treating the fans strictly as consumers."

However, others argued,

"Okay but usually if you host a birthday cafe event, most of the profits from the sales go to the cafes hosting. So how can Baekhyun make money from this?"

"How is this birthday cafe event going to bring Baekhyun much profit? Releasing an album and holding concerts would bring him millions kekekekeke."

"If you think the price of the drinks and desserts is expensive, just make your own coffee at home lol. Why do you care so much how other people spend their money?"

"Those prices are literally the same as other fancy cafes."

"Be jealous all you want but Baekhyun's fans are loving every moment of this."

"People who aren't even his fans getting angry for no reason."

"Please, there's no way charging a few dollars more for drinks is going to make much of a profit. But he prepared so many exclusive photocards. Of course his fans will go."

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