K-Pop Fan Spends Thousands To Take Photo With Idol— Is It Worth It?

An online community board garnered much attention after a photo of a fan and NCT’s Mark was posted online.

Fans wondered how much the the OP spent in order to take photos like this with him.

The OP answered directly in the comment section, stating that the top five buyers from the Japan event got to take photos with the members. She also added that her friend spend $16,000 USD each time to take a photo.

Fans, although jealous, couldn’t bring themselves to spend that much on one photo.

“There’s a cutline for the people who get chosen. It seems to be really expensive. This was an event in Japan, and seeing as she is a foreigner, they do spend a lot. It’s not like they chose 30-50 people, but like 6-7?”
“Wow then it must be true…crazy…I can’t even dream of spending that much.”
“Wow but this is really just…”
“It’s interesting to see that they allow that much touching. Other photo events I’ve seen they’ve only done hand hearts.”
“Maybe it’s the angle, it doesn’t look like they are touching. I heard they can’t touch for these events.”
“They aren’t allowed to touch, I think it’s because of the angle.”
“I saw a different photo from that day and Mark was doing a back hug lol.”

Although touching is not allowed at these events, some fans found a photo of Mark that looked like he was hugging the fan from the back.

International fans were also shocked at the OP’s dedication to their fave idols.

if im paying $16k to meet an idol they better have that marriage certificate in their hands signed and ready for me https://t.co/jKXmbx3LKz

— ᯤ (@luvtanked) May 29, 2024

16k only to take a picture with an idol is insane id never do that do you know other things you can spend with that money????? a car? a house even??? https://t.co/H8IIHyFTXj

— kae⁹ (@riizewice) May 29, 2024

for 16,000 haechan would have to marry me. like my tuition for college is less than this. https://t.co/IGK4AOUO7C

— niya (@gyuvsdoll) May 28, 2024

girl mark better have kissed her & taken her out on a fancy steak date or smth after paying $16,000 like WHAT https://t.co/pfPRv3OA6M

— ౨ৎ (@ST1LLM0NSTER) May 29, 2024

this is almost what i need for 1 year of university,,, maybe i really can find some riches that don’t know what to do with their money and they can sponsor my studies 🫠🫠🫠🫠 https://t.co/jlVpLWi2P6

— 태태bear🐨🐿️🐻⁷won jk drawing contest😭 (@_xhexlove) May 29, 2024

Similarly, K-Pop idol fan sign events are also based on a random lottery system. The more albums you buy, the more of a chance you have of seeing your faves. Depending on how popular the group is, one can spend as little as a few bucks to a couple thousand in order to win these fan sign events.