Shopee under fire over Blackpink meet-and-greet mess, says sorry to fans

Shopee Philippines came under fire Friday following a problematic meet-and-greet event between fans and South Korean girl group Blackpink.

#Shopeescam trended on Twitter after fans who claimed to have spent huge amount of money to get a pass to meet members of the girl group were denied tickets on the day of the event, June 6, at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

Shopee apologized over the incident.

"We hear your feedback loud and clear, and we understand that the event fell short of the high standards that Shopee users and Blackpink fans expect," Shopee said in a statement posted on Facebook.

"Although we took immediate steps as soon as we discovered the problems to ensure the rightful winners of our contest could claim their prizes, we know that the entire process caused confusion, disappointment, and upset for many."

Fans, who took to Twitter to air their frustration, said passes were merely given to social media "influencers" and celebrities and not to the real "Blinks" who exerted effort to see the group face to face.

I'm fucking mad rn. That event is filled with bandwagons and such 'influencers' who aren't deserving at all. Those real blinks who even wasted so much money to see the pinks. Those who put so much effort and sacrifice?! #SHOPEESCAM #sorryblackpink pic.twitter.com/TIQxT9bO9Q

— Oppa_Limario (@BlinkeuJenlisa) June 7, 2019

There were influencers who ~asked~ to join the event? Like...seryoso??? Ang kapal ng mukha??? Pinaglalaban nyo?? ~sÜbsCrÏb3RszX~ nyo? Bobo amppp #SHOPEESCAM

— J (@lalalexa_m) June 7, 2019

It's true that it's not their fault but to rub it in our faces?? Smh. Pero @ShopeePH napaka-unfair nito. Kapag hindi ka celebrity, maka-ubos dignidad at pera ung kailangang gawin tapos binawi pa sa iba. #SHOPEESCAM

— Oli (@TheOliKen) June 7, 2019

scammed blinks must have their refunds and make shopee shutdown to make sure they wont gonna make anything fraudulent again @DtiPhilippines #SHOPEESCAM

— jen (@jenniesbxtch) June 7, 2019

Sarap buhay tlaga tong mga artistang to di nalang nag give way sa mga gumastos para maka attend dun sa event wala man lang consideration tangina! #SHOPEESCAM #SHOPEESCAM #SHOPEESCAM #SHOPEESCAM https://t.co/XV4T0gfENP

— icantwaittoseeminhyuk (@minhyukminmin) June 7, 2019

Privileged people always have the guts no? I hate how the Philippines industry needs this kind of people on promoting such events. And I can’t believe that being an “influencer” is a one way ticket to everything. Kakasuka kayo. #SHOPEESCAM

— jude | LF TWICELIGHTS PH TIX (@swiftiesizzle) June 7, 2019

Twitter users claimed that some fans spent as high as P200,000 to win Blackpink tickets.

#SHOPEESCAM haha yan ah social media influencer's pala ih. Yung naka 200,000+ peso fansign lang nakuha and saglitang meet and greet samantalang kayo walang ginastos pwde pang mag record and photos during signing? Aba teka dinaig niyo si JYP HAHAHA

— Kavin (@HeeeyGK) June 6, 2019

whether you're a fan or not, you can't deny that this was unfair. ppl literally paid over 200,000 php (equivalent to $3850) for items to win blackpink m&g tickets, and THEY WON but tickets were cancelled the day of the show and employees are openly mocking fans #shopeescam https://t.co/ofFq2dswFj

— kait (@yinnezha) June 6, 2019

20,000 to 200,000 na gastos para sa isang 30 minutes na event. SHOPEE SCAMMER NG TAON PLEASE BLACKPINK UMUWI NA KAYO SA SOKOR DI NIYO TO DESERVE #BLACKPINKinMNL #SHOPEESCAM

— Bloodeixn (@bloodeixn) June 6, 2019

Shopee said it is already reaching out to those affected by the incident and vowed that it will not happen again.  —KBK, GMA News