On August 2, to celebrate his 26th birthday, Mark organized a fans’ treasure hunt entitled “Found & Marked”, hiding 26 objects and personal stickers in public areas including Jamwon Han River Park, Seoul Forest and Namsan Park. The event began at 9 in the morning, with maps shared online to guide the participants.
However, the event quickly attracted a repercussions when the staff of the public places revealed that it has not been informed or granted preventive approval. The on -site public workers expressed frustration for the event without notice, in particular given the extreme heat and the responsibility that have turned to manage great crowds and protect the cultural properties.
According to the witnesses, the workers removed all the stickers from one of the parks, while speakers of speakers were made to face the situation. Despite this, SM continued the event in the remaining locations, in which fans according to what most of the hidden articles reported.
Later it was discovered that the stickers used were not cleanly removable and left -wing residues, pushing further online indignation. Fans and Netizen criticized the agency for bad planning and lack of communication with public authorities.
By adding fuel to the fire, SM did not emit formal apologies. Instead, they simply declared the event completed with a cheerful message: “Congratulations! All clear! The 26 treasures of Mark were all discovered from 12:58 pm … Having a happy brand!”
The response to the fate of the tone has only amplified the public backlash, with many who ask for responsibilities and even a legal action. The Netizen flooded the online communities with harsh criticisms, calling the event “reckless”, “A public discomfort” AND “absurd”.
They wondered why such an event was not kept in private rooms or with adequate permit and complained about the lack of common sense of the agency, above all given the long -standing status of MS in the sector.
Starting now, SMANTERINMENT has not been announced formal excuses or corrective actions, leaving many disappointed by the management of the company on what could have been a significant fan event.
Sources: AllkPop
