Popular U.S. K-Pop Store Allegedly Fires Employees After They Demand Fair Treatment
While American chain stores Target and Walmart have in recent years started selling K-Pop albums, for years, fans in the U.S. have bought from a select few K-Pop stores. Unfortunately, they are now being discouraged from shopping at one.
Atlanta-based store KPOP STORE in USA, located at 5953 Buford Hwy NE Suite 101, Doraville, GA 30340, has been a favorite among K-Pop fans for a long time. It was a popular shop for not just local fans but any that traveled to Atlanta, GA, for a concert.
You can shop not only in person but also online. Yet, some fans had reported recently experiencing serious shipping delays, not receiving their full orders, etc.
Now, they seem to understand why.
Allegedly, the employees wanted fair workers’ rights but were not receiving them. A month ago, there was also a specific incident with the youngest employee that made everyone uncomfortable. The staff later did a two-hour strike, demanding fair treatment after allegedly being ignored. A couple of weeks later, managers had a meeting, and their boss Daniel revealed that he “felt betrayed.” Yesterday, he allegedly fired all the managers instead.
yeah basically the workers wanted better treatment & the owner said he’s able to handle the store himself & let them all go :/
— charlie | txt d-8 (@strwbsyeo) May 10, 2023
Kpopstoreinusa can go fuck themselves. Fired their whole staff (one being a close moot of mine) because they wanted workers rights. pic.twitter.com/Jh7APJdW9E
— shannon misses skz & is seeing txt (again) (@gyufairie_) May 10, 2023
Some netizens have also reported that no refunds will be provided. You would need to dispute the charges instead if necessary.
#KPOPSTOREINUSA just fired their whole entire amazing staff. Do not order from them you may not get your stuff. I’m so upset for everyone. #KPOP If you’ve ordered from them and want a refund they said basically no one is there to refund. Dispute the charges.
— KARE (Care) 케어 *ΩX is the cause of this smile* 🦋 (@BluelineChick) May 10, 2023
@dizzzys as a collector page I felt like I needed to spread this news. #kpop #kpopfyp #kpopstoreinusa
@abbyinthebox Do not but from K-Pop Store In The USA #kpop #kpopstan #multistan #multifan #kpopstoreintheusa #fyp #foryoupage #xyzcba
So, K-Pop fans are discouraging everyone from shopping at KPOP STORE in USA. A former employee also reposted some of these posts via Instagram.
for those of you in the atl area pls don’t support kpopstoreinusa anymore, the owner just wrongfully fired all of the employees !!!
— charlie | txt d-8 (@strwbsyeo) May 10, 2023
Yet, according to another source, only a manager was fired. Other employees allegedly chose to leave with them. According to former manager Vayr (@dejavayr on Instagram) themself, KPOP STORE in USA was already understaffed, and a few were fired and allegedly offered their jobs back.
Another netizen added their own personal experience into the equation, though. They alleged that they were fired briefly after starting their job.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I am so sorry you were hurt by that.
— KARE (Care) 케어 *ΩX is the cause of this smile* 🦋 (@BluelineChick) May 11, 2023
You can watch Vayr’s recent live broadcast addressing the situation for more information below.
