SM Entertainment Under Fire For Selling Charter Flights with SM Artists to Fans

SM Entertainment recently released their “SMTOWN LIVE WORLD TOUR VI” in DUBAI Global Packages to international fans.

Global Package perks usually include concert tickets, hotel accommodation, tour bus transportation, a multilingual tour guide, exclusive merchandise, and more.

However, this concert package also includes a “charter package”, where fans can sit in the economy class on a chartered flight with the SM artists.

[SMTOWN LIVE WORLD TOUR VI in DUBAI] SM Global Package with SM CHARTER FLIGHT 🛫🛫🛫 🌟Will be available from 14:00p.m (KST) 28th February 🌟

👉 https://t.co/R1CrpgtbyX #SMGLOBALPACKAGE #smtownliveindubai #comingsoon #SMCHARTERFLIGHT #SMTLDUBAI pic.twitter.com/dq9Dgsf6WP

— SM GLOBAL PACKAGE (@SMTOWNTRAVEL) February 27, 2018

Fans have heavily criticized this move as it not only costs over $3,000 USD — it violates the privacy of the artists and makes them more accessible to sasaeng fans.

Letting fans fly w/ idols sounds extremely dangerous. Even if they are seated in different sections still there may be sasaengs that will try to violate their privacy. Boys won't even be able to rest comfortably. #SM_기내이벤트_취소해 #EXOL #BestFanArmy #iHeartAwards @weareoneEXO

— 94 ♥️ Sehun (@morningpassages) February 28, 2018

Fans are being seated with idols as a “special fan meet” inside the plane, a place where idols can finally rest and have no makeup. They’re also charging extreme sums of money. This is not right. 대충 해석 #SM_기내이벤트_취소해

— 달마지 (@05_48percent) February 28, 2018

Hi I'm just Army but I support ya'll about this! SM shouldn't see their idols as money! They're humans too & SM artists are great & they don't deserve this mass! I hope sm give them the respect they deserve 😩 I'm just here help you trend this 💜#SM_기내이벤트_취소해

— #BestfanArmy #BTSARMY #iheartawards #bestboyband (@aty_kim) February 28, 2018

There has been no official response to the criticism and it is still possible to participate in the lottery to purchase the charter package on the SMTOWN Travel website.