Netizens have been buzzing about aespa’s decision not to provide food or gifts to fans who attended the '2024 Gayo Daejejeon' pre-recording.

Online forums have been alive with discussions pointing out that aespa was among the few performers, including DAY6, RIIZE, NCT WISH, and KISS OF LIFE's Julie, who didn’t offer any form of fan appreciation at the year-end event. This practice, known as 'reverse gifting,' has been a well-loved tradition for years, where fans attending in-person events are often greeted with goodie bags, snacks, or drinks as a token of gratitude from their idols.

Criticism was particularly strong toward aespa, a globally renowned group with massive popularity and consistent financial success. Many questioned why such a prominent group would neglect providing even small gestures, such as hand warmers or bottled water, especially on a cold winter day.

Meanwhile, other idols showered their fans with thoughtful items, ranging from hot packs and photocards to meal sets, blankets, and even home gadgets. Netizens were quick to note the disparity, with many commenting that such gestures, though not mandatory, are “simple ways to show appreciation for fans who wait hours in challenging conditions.”

NewJeans: Hot packs, cookies, water, lunchbox (sandwich, inari sushi, tart), juice, blanket

TXT: Postcards, photocards, badges, keyrings, cupcakes, bread, coffee truck

(G)I-DLE: Photocards, cafe beverage coupons

PLAVE: Lunchbox (sandwich, inari sushi), blanket, juice, face pack, serum, Two Some Place 30,000 KRW gift card, hot packs

Taemin: Pre-recording 1 - Photocard / Pre-recording 2 - Energy bar, water, photocard

IVE: Photocards, hot packs (plus a bottle of drink added later)

Stray Kids: Three types of fruit sandwiches, cookies, photocards, hot packs

aespa: -

NMIXX: Photocards, cup pudding

ATEEZ: Photocards, eye massager, room spray, hot packs

CRAVITY: Photocards, hot packs

STAYC (Unit): Photocards, rice cakes

DAY6: -

aespa Winter: -

NCT Doyoung: Hot packs, fish cake soup truck, madeleines

BOYNEXTDOOR: Pre-recording 1: Fish-shaped buns, coffee truck, photocard / Pre-recording 2: Two cupcakes, juice, photocard / Pre-recording 3: Two cupcakes, juice, photocard

ZEROBASEONE: Photocards

Some netizens observed that many of the groups who didn’t participate in reverse gifting were associated with SM Entertainment. However, they defended the company, highlighting that NCT 127 members, despite being under SM, have consistently taken the initiative to provide gifts, often paying for them out of their own pockets. This contrast drew further attention to the issue, as fans argued that such gestures reflect the individual artist's priorities rather than their agency's policies.

RIIZE also faced scrutiny for reportedly only providing gifts sponsored by their brand partners, such as Baskin Robbins and UIQ, rather than organizing something personal. This raised questions about whether reverse gifting has become a genuine token of gratitude or merely another competition among fandoms.

However, not everyone was critical. Some defended the idols, saying, "When did reverse gifting ever become a competition?" and reminding fans not to attend events expecting gifts as the primary incentive.

They questioned whether fans were placing unrealistic expectations on their idols, with comments like, "Fans should not be expecting gifts, as if that is the sole reason they are attending these events."

Despite the criticism, some fans noted that they would continue to support their idols regardless. Others questioned the industry’s increasing reliance on fan-funded luxury lifestyles for idols, arguing that fans often defend these practices even when feeling undervalued.

Comments include:

"NCT 127 members seem generous and warm-hearted. When Jaehyun was filming a drama, they sent a coffee truck with personal messages and pictures they selected themselves, which was so touching."

"SM seems to leave it up to the artists. It looks like 127 goes above and beyond."

"Honestly, can’t they just tell the manager, 'We’ll do this for fan gifts'? Then the staff would handle it. They just need to pay for it. Considering their earnings, how much could it possibly cost?"

"Now they're even making lists for things like this... oh my."

"They could at least give out photocards or hand warmers..."

"While fan gifts aren't mandatory, isn't it one way to show appreciation to the fans?"

"It's not a fanbase that doesn't give, but at least handing out hand warmers would have been nice. It might not seem real since it's just text here, but seeing it in person at the site really hits you hard."

"Considering the money they make, it costs so little. They should at least give something—it must feel disappointing."

"But aren't fans attending because they love it? From the fans' perspective, just watching the idol's performance should feel worth it. They aren't expecting anything, so why feel upset when nothing's given?"

"Do you seriously want to make a list and start ranking things in a situation like this?"

"It's bizarre, but it would feel disheartening when comparisons are made."

"Hand warmers aren't that expensive. If people are waiting for hours, it would feel upsetting if even that isn't provided."

"It's always good to treat fans well."

"They make money off fans, so at least show some effort... seriously."

"This year-end pre-recording even accepted up to 700 fans. The idols who give even small fan gifts have such a good heart."

"They just throw around 'Hybe-this, Hybe-that' everywhere. It’s your oppas/unnies who didn’t even provide a single bottle of water for their fans, so why are you defending them like you're a shield?"

"Calling them out in the cold to be free audience members—it's only human decency to show some effort in appreciation."

"Making tens of billions of won, and they can't even give out hand warmers that cost less than a dollar? That shows no consideration for their fans."

"What's with the defense, lol? Just give something. Fans aren't being dramatic; it's about showing effort. If other idols treat their fans well during pre-recordings and only yours doesn’t, of course people will feel upset and start talking. How does eating food and leaving the fandom even come into this? It must have been bad for this to even be a topic."

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"This is about effort, lol. People wait for hours in the freezing cold just to see a 10-minute performance."

"Plave really packed a lot of gifts, lol. Fans must have left carrying an armful of stuff."

"Even if they attended because they wanted to, isn't it understandable to feel disappointed? To go there, you need to buy albums in different versions, stream songs, download the tracks, and own a lightstick. It's not like you're seeing them for free. Making a list might be weird, but it's understandable that fans feel upset. It's about showing effort, from both the agency and the artist."

"Since 10 years ago during Idol Star Athletics Championships, posts about idols giving back to fans with lunchboxes have been popping up. It's funny to see people act surprised that lists like this are being made."

"The idols who give back to their fans are thoughtful and seem great. When else would they have a chance to show this kind of care?"

"Even a few years ago, when giving back to fans wasn’t as common as it is now, my not-so-popular idol gave us snack trucks and lunchboxes, all personally prepared with care. It’s not about money—it’s about effort. Seeing none, you feel let down."

"These are top-tier artists... even rookies are doing it."

"DAY6 isn't a group that has never given back to fans. They've done it several times before. It's true fans were upset yesterday because there wasn’t anything, but people are dragging in all kinds of other stuff to bash them, leaving no room to feel disappointed about the gifts themselves, lol."

"The issue is they didn’t even show the basic courtesy of giving something small like hand warmers or water, lol."

"Even though it's not something you're entitled to, it would genuinely make you happy to get something back after all the hard work. If other fans are getting gifts and sharing them online while your idol's fans get nothing, of course you'd feel upset."

"Couldn't they at least serve a warm cup of coffee?"

"No one’s asking them to handcraft and wrap everything themselves. They could just place an order with a company. All idols should do this... Even fans who say they don’t need gifts would be happy to receive them."

"Only the two most successful teams in terms of streaming this year didn’t give anything back... My idol gladly accepts all the gifts, doesn’t even post acknowledgments, collects luxury items, and if they don’t give back, I’d quit the fandom immediately."

"Plave is incredible."

"NewJeans’ Plave gift set was amazing. And that balaclava was adorable, lol. Seriously, it’s important to stay warm in this weather."

"Even with Louis Vuitton and all those ad revenues, they couldn’t even provide snacks... It seems like the members just don’t think about how tough the fans have it while waiting. If they cared a little, they’d know."

"In other companies, the agency arranges fan gifts, but SM never does. That’s why the idols have to prepare them themselves. NCT 127 always made the effort to give back."

"If I were earning tens of billions of won thanks to my fans and receiving their love and support during performances, I’d feel so grateful and do everything I could to give back. Isn’t that the natural thing to do?"

"Even so, fans will keep spending. Celebrities are the new aristocrats these days. They earn unimaginable amounts and only want to be adored. They don’t even want to do outdoor programs anymore unless it’s filming their own trips with sponsorships. This happened because fans threw money at them and acted like pushovers. When non-fans criticize celebrities’ high fees, fans shut them down by saying, 'It’s none of your business; we’re happy to spend money on them.' Well, whose fault is it? Even if they’re treated poorly, these fans will keep attending fan signings, pre-recordings, and buying goods."

What’s your take on this debate?

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