EDAM Entertainment, the agency representing singer IU, has committed to system improvements following a controversy where a fan was wrongfully accused of ticket scalping.

On the morning of April 9th, EDAM Entertainment issued an apology and a detailed plan for reform. They expressed deep regret for the harm caused to a fan due to their stringent verification procedures.

One of the major changes announced is the abolition of the undercover system. EDAM stated that they will adopt a more lenient approach in case a verification procedure is triggered. They also clarified that ticket bookings without any monetary transactions will not be considered as illegal transactions.

The agency also addressed the process of identity verification for ticket collection. They assured that if a fan finds it difficult to verify their identity with an ID card, alternative measures will be put in place.

Fans will be able to collect their tickets after verifying their identity using a family relationship certificate and resident registration copy. For new passports, identification will be possible without a passport certificate.

EDAM also vowed to revamp the permanent ban system of the fan club. From now on, the ban system will operate as a 'penalty application' (for example, restriction on joining by fan club generation) instead of a 'permanent ban'. They also announced the lifting of all permanent ban actions against existing IU official fan club members.

EDAM reiterated their apology for the distress caused to fans and artists due to their management policy. They promised that EDAM, Melon Ticket, and the performance team will do their utmost to compensate the fan who was harmed during the ticket booking process.

Last month, a fan of IU successfully booked a ticket for IU's concert but made a mistake with the bank transfer amount and asked a friend to deposit it instead. The fan received an email from Melon Ticket suspecting illegal trading. To prove their innocence, the fan submitted various documents including their ID card, ticket deposit details, official fan club card, and conversation content with the friend who helped with ticketing.

Despite this, the fan was denied entry to the concert on the day due to suspicions of proxy ticketing. The fan, who couldn't even get a refund, expressed their grievance after being permanently banned from the official fan club. This incident sparked criticism from netizens towards IU's side for their excessive verification process.

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BTS's Jin continues to shine bright with his massive popularity, securing the No. 1 spot in the MY1PICK weekly rankings for an impressive 43 consecutive weeks!

In the MY1PICK K-POP Individual Category Weekly Ranking for the third week of December (December 16–22), Jin earned a massive 6,154,905 hearts, keeping his position at the top. From the 5th week of February to the 3rd week of December, Jin has been unbeatable in the weekly rankings, proving he has an enormous fanbase and global influence.

But Jin’s achievements don’t stop there. In November, he dominated the K-POP Individual Category Monthly Ranking, topping it with 25,452,283 hearts. He has held the No. 1 spot for 11 months straight, from January to November, showing his continuous popularity throughout the year.

Jin also claimed victory in the One Pick Chart’s “November Monthly Chart K-POP (Solo)” category, holding the No. 1 position for 8 months in a row, from April to November. On top of that, he won the 2024 Season Chart K-POP (SOLO) for both the 2nd and 3rd quarters, making him the best One Pick star of the season.

The Season Chart awards honor artists who have consistently earned love from fans, with a physical trophy given to the top artist. Jin’s back-to-back victories solidify his place as one of the most beloved stars in K-pop.

Jin’s fan power doesn’t end with rankings. He’s also triumphed in numerous themed votes, taking first place in categories like “Star You Want to Collect All Photo Cards Of,” “Star You Want to See First Pitch at a Baseball Game,” “Best Cooking Genius Idol,” “Star Who Would Be the Best Child,” and “Star You Would Fall in Love With at First Sight.” His reward advertisement for the “Star You Want to Collect All Photo Cards Of” vote began airing on December 26 and can be seen at Yeoksam Station until December 30.

Meanwhile, Jin’s first solo album Happy was released on November 15 and quickly became a global hit, showcasing his talents as a solo artist. He held a special showcase, Jin ‘Happy’ Special Stage, on November 16 and 17, where fans were captivated by his beautiful vocals and flawless live performance.

Jin has also been keeping busy with appearances on popular variety shows like Salon Drip 2, Neighborhood Star K4, and Limousine Service. He’s also appeared on famous American talk shows, including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and Japan’s top music program Venue 101, where he impressed fans with his humor and solid live performances. His reputation as the “Vocal King” and “Live King” is stronger than ever!

As if that wasn't enough, Jin is also gaining attention globally for singing the main theme song for the new tvN drama Ask the Stars. Jin's talents continue to wow the world, and it's clear he's not slowing down anytime soon!

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