"Is It Called Smart Ticket?"... SM Concert Booking Fee 5,000 Won

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Seoyul] Kim Jisoo (26), who was booking tickets for the concert of SM-affiliated singer 'SHINee Onew,' was surprised to see the booking fee of 5,000 won. It was not only the fee that had changed. Unlike previous bookings where paper tickets were issued, this concert ticket was issued as a smart ticket for the purpose of 'environmental protection,' and Kim thought that this might be the reason for the increased fee. While she appreciated the intention to protect the environment, Kim questioned whether raising the fee was simply shifting the burden onto consumers.

Payment details for SHINee Onew concert ticket. A booking fee of 5,000 KRW is charged. Photo by Reader Provided

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With the increase in concert ticket fees for SM-affiliated singers, fans are speculating that the newly introduced smart ticket issuance method might have influenced this change. However, SM maintains that the two issues are unrelated.

According to Dream Maker, a subsidiary of SM Entertainment, starting with SHINee Onew's concert, the booking fee for concerts of SM-affiliated artists such as BoA will rise to 5,000 won. This is more expensive compared to the usual booking fees of 1,000 to 3,000 won that consumers pay through booking sites like YES24 and Interpark.

Among fans, there is speculation that the fee increase is due to the newly changed smart ticket issuance method. Previously, consumers had to pay a combined 4,000 won, consisting of a 1,000 won booking fee and a 3,000 won paper ticket delivery fee. However, with the introduction of smart tickets, there is no separate delivery fee, yet consumers must pay 5,000 won as a booking fee. On YES24’s ticket booking guide for Onew, there is a phrase stating that the concert will proceed with smart tickets as part of 'realizing sustainability to save the Earth,' without any explanation for the fee increase.

The ticket reservation notice only contains information about smart tickets without any explanation regarding the increase in fees. Photo by YES24 website

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Because of this, some fans have raised concerns that the burden of ESG management is being passed on to consumers through the increased fees. Seo (34), who purchased a ticket for Onew’s concert, said, "I agree with the purpose of environmental protection, but the sharp increase in fees seems like the initial platform introduction costs are being passed on to fans," adding, "Even if the intention is good, reasonable fee setting is necessary." Kim also pointed out, "When looking at the fee without delivery costs, it feels like paying an extra 4,000 won unnecessarily," and criticized, "It’s hard to understand that it’s mandatory rather than a choice between paper tickets and smart tickets."

Some even questioned the goal of 'aiming for eco-friendliness' through the introduction of smart tickets. Choi (27) said, "Instead of claiming environmental protection by reducing one paper ticket, the company’s overall policies should be reviewed," and added, "The albums bundled with photocards or goods sold at high prices despite low quality are bigger culprits of environmental pollution." Lee (34) also stated, "If they truly care about eco-friendliness, it should be consistently shown in the company’s overall policies," and noted, "The marketing tactic of bundling photocards with low-quality daily goods is an issue not only for SM Entertainment but for all entertainment companies."

Dream Maker stated that smart tickets are not the cause of the fee increase. A Dream Maker official said, "The coincidence of the 5,000 won fee and the issuance of smart tickets happening together is just that?a coincidence," and clarified, "The fee is not used for production costs or smart ticket app usage." The official added, "The fee increase is more aligned with the purpose of improving the performance industry environment."

Regardless of the reason, criticism that the fee increase has raised the burden on consumers seems difficult to avoid. Shin Cheolwon, team leader of the Consumer Sovereignty Citizens' Association, criticized, "Raising fees unilaterally without giving consumers a chance to voice their opinions is a disregard for consumers," and added, "The background for the fee increase should be clarified, but that process was skipped." Shin emphasized, "Even if it is for the purpose of improving the industry environment, it should have been discussed within the industry first, and only if unavoidable, should it have been implemented by charging consumers."

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