BLACKPINK’s 10th Anniversary Turns Controversial Over $4 Gifts: Why Are Fans Questioning the Celebration? [PHOTO]

BLACKPINK’s 10th debut anniversary was meant to be a special milestone for the group and its fans, but the celebration has instead sparked controversy online.

On Monday, August 10, KST, BLACKPINK marked 10 years since its debut. To commemorate the occasion, members Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé and Lisa appeared at the National Museum of Korea for a candid meet-and-greet with 40 fans.

The relatively intimate event gave fans an opportunity to spend time with all four members on a day that marked a major moment in BLACKPINK’s career. However, what was intended as a celebratory gesture soon became the subject of criticism after details about the gifts distributed at the event circulated online.

Fans Question the Anniversary Gifts

Each of the 40 attendees reportedly received a small bouquet along with a pack of premium rice cakes, known as tteok. While the gifts were seemingly intended as a token of appreciation, their reported price quickly drew attention from netizens.

According to online discussions, the pack of tteok handed to fans cost around ₩6,900 KRW, or approximately $4.90 USD.

The price became a talking point because of BLACKPINK’s previous reputation for giving fans elaborate or luxurious gifts and experiences. As a result, some netizens questioned whether the anniversary celebration reflected the scale and significance expected from a group celebrating its 10th year.

For some fans, the issue was less about the monetary value of the rice cakes themselves and more about what they perceived as a lack of effort behind the anniversary celebration.

Criticism Turns Toward YG Entertainment

The reaction has since developed into a broader discussion about how BLACKPINK’s milestone anniversary was handled.

Some heated comments argued that the 10th-anniversary event lacked sincerity on all fronts, while others directed their frustration toward YG Entertainment, accusing the company of mismanagement.

One user wrote, “It’s weird enough that they chose to give out rice cakes in this weather, but the fact that they’re only 7,000 won…,” while another commented, “And this is while they are all ambassadors of luxury brands…If they had just gone to a department store and bought each fan a lip balm, even that would have been better than this. And they invited merely 40 people.”

“I don’t have even the slightest interest in it, but you have to accept what’s being offered. After that, it’s up to the fans what they choose to do,” said a third user.

A fourth one questioned, “How can they show such a lack of gratitude toward the fans?”

The criticism comes as BLACKPINK celebrates a decade since its debut, making the anniversary particularly significant for a group that has grown into one of the biggest names in global K-pop.

At the same time, not every reaction has focused solely on the cost of the gift. The event itself was a rare opportunity for a small number of fans to meet all four members in person, and the intimate setting offered a more personal anniversary experience than a large-scale celebration might have provided.

One netizen posted, “And this is how BLACKPINK is ending things…”.

Milestone Anniversary Under Scrutiny

BLACKPINK’s 10th anniversary arrives after years of international success, record-breaking releases and individual achievements from all four members. The group’s milestone was therefore expected to generate widespread excitement among BLINKs around the world.

Instead, the reported cost of the tteok gifts has become one of the most discussed aspects of the anniversary event, adding another layer of controversy to what should have been a celebratory occasion.

Whether the backlash will have any impact on how BLACKPINK’s anniversary activities are handled going forward remains to be seen. For now, the debate has placed renewed attention on the expectations surrounding K-pop agencies and how they choose to honor both artists and fans during major career milestones.