Popular American K-Pop Store’s Problematic History: Why Netizens Say You Should Shop Anywhere Else
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Choice Music LA (also known as CMLA) located in Koreatown Galleria in Los Angeles, California, has been a longtime popular choice for American K-Pop fans to purchase affordable merchandise, albums, lightsticks, etc. The store also has an online store, which is incredibly convenient. They also have a reward program, and purchases of albums contribute to the HANTEO CHART.
CHOICE MUSIC is an online store dedicated to offering a variety of tunes to music lovers around the world. Our focus is trending Korean Pop (K-Pop) Culture. We are music lovers just like yourselves and we push our limits to offer the best in Customer satisfaction. Stop by any time you would like and visit us at our flagship store currently located in Koreatown in Los Angeles, CA.
— Choice Music LA
With over 1K reviews on Google, Choice Music LA has 4.7 stars—most praise the organized store, great selection of albums, friendly staff, etc. Occasionally, there are issues with orders not arriving timely, though.
Despite the majority of good reviews, K-Pop fans have been calling Choice Music LA out for controversial and problematic social media posts.
One post about IZ*ONE was especially weird. It was captioned, “Imagine 12 of your girlfriends all getting pregnant at the same time…” Under any circumstance, that’s creepy, but it was especially inappropriate since minors were in the group.
There are numerous posts that unnecessarily and inappropriately sexualize K-Pop idols. This includes both men and women.
Of course, Wonho has been joked about sexually. To make matters worse, these posts were shortly after he departed from MONSTA X.
One post about OH MY GIRL joked about purchasing women. Talk about objectifying…
Choice Music LA joked about BTS being connected to gangs in a caption for a photo of purple clothing merchandise. CMLA allegedly defended by claiming the poster had “grown up in gang-centric areas.”
Choice Music LA also tweeted a meme of BTS dressed as a mariachi group, captioned, “We love Joséok in this house.” But it didn’t end there. They hashtagged, including the derogatory slur for someone of Mexican descent, b*aner, although no one with the right to use the word was on staff.
For an unboxing video of IU‘s album, the caption contained an insensitive joke regarding former f(x) member Sulli and former KARA member Goo Hara‘s deaths.
After the death of George Floyd, K-Pop fans expressed to Choice Music LA that they could use their platform to raise awareness concerning Black Lives Matter. According to OP, CMLA took offense and claimed they prefer to “move in silence about their efforts/donations.”
Allegedly the work environment is unprofessional and unpleasant for employees. An ex-employee recounted the “face of Choice Music LA,” Steven, has also allegedly “profiled customers,” “berated” staff, and asked about employees’ sex life.
Despite the recent good reviews on Google, many customers have reported bad experiences with orders. This includes damaged albums, no refunds for lost albums, delayed shipments, etc.
Previously, when netizens have expressed their concerns and discomforts, specifically regarding their distasteful captions, Choice Music LA blocked them rather than addressing the issue.
Instagram user chaeharts shared a thread via Instagram explaining why K-Pop fans should no longer support Choice Music LA. When it went viral, Choice Music LA blocked her account too.
K-Pop fans have attempted to spread the word about Choice Music LA’s problematic history for a while. Since 2020, netizens have shared threads and videos, exposing their controversial posts and conversations.
@hannienthusiast please stop supporting choice music la they are not a good company #choicemusicla #kpop #kpopforyou #fyp #foryou #bts #loona #iu #monstax #izone
@taehyunswirl @sanaluvclub has receipts on their recent video. A lot of ppl also like Music Plaza n Kpop Replublic! #ChoiceMusicLa #fyp #kpop #photocards #Kpopalbum
One user on TikTok pointed out that the company has also exposed many people’s personal information on social media. Choice Music LA also has joked about “putting the artists in danger” by touring during COVID-19.
@hannienthusiast again, please stop supporting choice music la. #kpop #kpopforyou #fyp #foryou #choicemusicla #bts #ateez #woodz #blackpink
Previously, another popular K-Pop store in the U.S. was under fire for allegedly firing employees who demanded fair treatment. Read more below.
Popular U.S. K-Pop Store Allegedly Fires Employees After They Demand Fair Treatment
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