Here’s What Fans Feel About The Hefty $275 Price Tag On BTS’s Collector’s Item Version Of “PROOF”
BTS just announced the pre-order drop for a collector’s item version of their anthology album, PROOF. The box set contains two sets of 7 photocards, a special premium set of photos, as well as the usual posters and song booklets. It also covers three whole discs of songs.
While the box set is definitely something special, many Korean fans are expressing their displeasure at the whopping price. The album goes for ₩297,000 KRW (about $221 USD) in the Korean Weverse Shop, and $275.91 USD in the international shop. They even go as far as to call for a boycott to show HYBE that fans will not mindlessly consume.
- “It’s like they’re trying to earn what they can for the last time.”
- “$200+?? They’re f*cking around. PROOF only had 3 new songs so I didn’t buy it. HYBE is insane.”
- “It’s so severe…”
- “Fans, please don’t buy it…”
- “HYBE are such thugs…”
- “They have no conscience selling that design for that price. I hope people boycott it.”
International ARMYs are also in doubt about the hefty price tag. Some reasoned that you could hop an entire flight to Korea with that money.
if u save the money for the proof collectors edition and the shipping u can book a flight to korea for the free concert in october lmao
— 🗡 (@2jihope) August 29, 2022
The price was indeed shocking.
ARMYs reaction after seeing PROOF Collectors edition price : pic.twitter.com/u0I8ukMQA1
— Simran⁷ 💜 #TeamMOTS 💜💫 (@tae_tothe_BTS) August 29, 2022
With international shipping included, the entire set goes for almost $400 USD. To some, that is the price of their rent.
Bts really got army's out here choosing between proof collectors edition or the rent
— Kira⁷🃏#TeamMOTS🦢 (@hobiismyh0pe) August 29, 2022
Fans continue to gripe about the contents of the album and if it is worth the price tag.
i can’t wait to hear how the proof collectors edition was made from biodegradable cardboard and non toxic ink and plastic that actually dissolves in water and how the pcs have little seeds attached to them so u can actually plant them and make mother nature happy
— nish (@jhsrecord) August 28, 2022
It’s even more expensive than seeing them live, in concert.
this view i had of bts is cheaper than the proof collectors edition let’s keep that in mind pic.twitter.com/xy3hDsHZS5
— bree! (rest) (@jmsctrl) August 29, 2022
Of course, this could be reasonable considering that BTS will be continuing their career long into the future. As they gain more fame and exposure, any early releases will rise in price. The cassette tape version of Girls’ Generation‘s first album recently sold for ₩500,000 KRW (about $373 USD), compared to the original price of around ₩15,000 KRW (about $11.20 USD) at the time of release. Who knows how much more a full box set of 3 discs could go for?
$400 USD is not a small sum of money for a couple of CDs. Whether or not ARMYs choose to buy this for themselves, as an investment, or to use the money to pay their bills or treat their families, the choice is entirely up to them and no one should feel bad about it!
