- A prominent scalper faces backlash for exploiting fans’ passion and selling concert tickets at exorbitant prices.
In a recent incident that highlights the ongoing issues plaguing the ticketing industry, K-Pop fans have united to expose a ticket scalper who prioritized profit over the fans’ concert experience. The incident unfolded during the pre-sale period for TWICE’s highly anticipated “Ready To Be” concert, which commenced on June 15, 2023, and revealed a series of unfortunate events that disrupted the ticketing process.
With over 100,000 devoted fans, known as ONCEs, eagerly awaiting their chance to secure tickets, the pre-sale queue was already overflowing. Adding to the chaos, a powerful magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck the Mindoro province, reverberating through the capital and its surrounding cities.
Alongside these natural challenges, technical difficulties on the ticketing website, such as problems with adding items to the cart and payment gateways, further compounded the frustration.
However, it was the actions of one individual that drew the most outrage from ONCEs across the nation. This person, proudly displaying their ticket-scalping business on Facebook, became the target of intense criticism.
The scalper boasted about selling 16 VIP tickets at an astonishing price of PHP40,000 each. Their Facebook page, which had previously featured resold tickets for various events, drew attention for its exploitative practices. Screenshots circulating online revealed a confrontation between a concerned ONCE, accusing the scalper of predatory tactics, and the seller’s callous response, dismissing the fan’s concerns and telling them to “just cry in the queue.”
Upon learning about this revelation, ONCEs vented their anger, disappointment, and wit through social media posts and memes, particularly on Twitter, where their voices resounded in the true fashion of the platform. The incident quickly gained attention from netizens and K-Pop enthusiasts, with Facebook user CJ Dela Cruz demanding an explanation as to why the scalper, Stanley Seagren, was allowed to sell tickets at such inflated prices.
Another netizen and K-Pop fan, Maj Mahusay Tiburcio, expressed regret at missing out on a chance to purchase the VIP tickets, as the scalper had deactivated their account. The comment ended with a plea for Stanley Seagren to contact them if he came across the post, highlighting the widespread frustration among fans.
This incident serves as a clarion call to all scalpers, urging them to reconsider their exploitative practices that undermine the concert experience of devoted fans. While acknowledging the challenges faced during these difficult times, fans implore scalpers to refrain from taking advantage of their dedication and hard-earned savings.
Moreover, it raises concerns about the ticketing systems employed by various platforms. Fans argue that concertgoers deserve a seamless and fair ticket-buying experience. Concert organizers and ticket-selling platforms must address these concerns to ensure a better purchasing experience for Filipino consumers.
As K-Pop continues to captivate audiences worldwide, the united voices of fans against scalpers like Stanley Seagren underscore the need for change in the ticketing industry. The fans’ unwavering passion and determination will undoubtedly push for reforms to protect their rights and ensure that the artists they adore remain accessible to all.
Meanwhile, Bruno Mars is currently in South Korea for a sold-out concert attended by K-Pop idols like TREASURE members, Kim Jongin, Lee Tae-min, just to name a few.
The expose of these greedy scalpers also spilled over to other social media platforms like Twitter:
The Daily Netizen 