SEVENTEEN’s dedicated fan base in South Korea, known as CARATS, is gearing up for a boycott of the group’s upcoming encore tour and albums. The decision to hold the anniversary celebrations in Japan instead of Korea has sparked discontent, leading to a significant backlash from fans.

What’s Triggering the Boycott?

SEVENTEEN enthusiasts in Korea have taken a decisive stance, declaring a boycott against the group’s upcoming encore concert series and albums. The root cause of this controversy lies in SEVENTEEN’s recent announcement of plans to conduct an encore tour that spans both Korea and Japan. This move has generated dissatisfaction among some Korean fans who expected the group to commemorate their 9th anniversary in their home country. The decision to celebrate in Japan has left fans feeling disheartened and excluded from the celebratory events, fueling their disappointment.

The unexpected choice has prompted CARATS to organize a widespread boycott, gaining momentum not only within the fan community but also on various social media platforms. The hashtag #SEVENTEENBoycott is trending as fans share their concerns and seek solidarity for their cause. As emotions run high and fans express their frustrations, the fate of SEVENTEEN’s encore concert and the reputation of Pledis Entertainment are hanging in the balance.

Controversies on Multiple Fronts

The hashtag says boycott seventeen con btw 🫤🫤 pic.twitter.com/OyUy5iJjKh

— cherie (ia) (@filmswen) January 30, 2024

Adding fuel to the fire, SEVENTEEN is also facing allegations of throwing shade at the achievements of other major K-pop groups. This revelation has intensified the ongoing controversy and further fueled discontent among fans.

Pledis Entertainment, the agency behind SEVENTEEN, is facing criticism for seemingly downplaying the accomplishments of other artists, including BLACKPINK, TWICE, and NCT. The controversy arose when a post titled “Pledis Turning Other Artists Concerts Into One-Offs” gained traction online. The post highlighted Pledis’s claim that SEVENTEEN was the only idol group, apart from BTS, to undertake a stadium tour.

‼️before tweeting/forming your own opinions about it, i hope everyone can take their time to understand why kcarats are trying to boycott follow again encore in korea (they’re NOT boycotting svt as a group! which is what most people think)#세븐틴앙콘불매#svt_followagain_boycott https://t.co/A7XjV8m7Ii

— gi ☪︎ 🍚 (@leeseokminized_) January 30, 2024

Pledis’s Marketing Strategy Under Scrutiny

Critics pointed out that Pledis labeled other artists’ stadium performances as “One-offs,” raising questions about the agency’s marketing strategy. The post emphasized that NCT had conducted a stadium tour in both Korea and Japan without being referred to as “One-offs” by their agency, SM Entertainment. Similar comparisons were drawn with BLACKPINK and TWICE, suggesting that Pledis may be downplaying their achievements.

The convergence of these controversies has heightened dissatisfaction among Korean fans towards SEVENTEEN and Pledis Entertainment. While a mass exodus from the fandom hasn’t occurred, many fans have declared boycotts against SEVENTEEN’s concerts and upcoming merchandise, including albums. This collective action poses a potential threat to the agency’s financial stability. The situation remains fluid as fans await further developments and potential resolutions.