Selling Expensive Masks in the Midst of the Corona Outbreak, SM Entertainment Gets Criticized by Netizens

Kapanlagi.com - SM Entertainment Global Shop is facing criticism from netizens for selling 5 KN95 masks for US$ 30 (around Rp 492,000). This sale was posted on their official Twitter account on March 24, 2020.

KN95 masks have the same efficiency as the KF94 series commonly sold in South Korea. However, what triggered criticism from netizens is the excessively high price of the masks.

If the price of 5 masks is US$ 30 including tax, then the price of each mask is US$ 6 (around Rp 98,000). Meanwhile, the normal price of these masks in the South Korean market, according to the government's program, is 2000 won (around Rp 26,000).

1. Netizen Criticism

© Twitter/SMGlobalShop

As reported by Koreaboo, the price of masks and the sale of masks themselves have triggered the anger of international netizens. They are requesting that SM Entertainment donate these masks instead of selling them to fans.

"Send these masks to hospitals", "Give these masks to medical workers", and "Donate these masks to the frontline medical workers facing this outbreak" are some of the comments flooding SM Entertainment Global Shop's post.

2. Apology

© Twitter/SMGlobalShop

Approximately 2 hours after the first post appeared and netizens expressed their anger, SM Entertainment removed the item from their online shop list and issued an apology. They promised to donate all the masks to medical workers at the Children's Hospital in Los Angeles. Although initially met with a lot of responses, netizens were satisfied with the final decision made by SM Entertainment.

"Hi everyone. We will donate these masks to the workers at 'Children's Hospital Los Angeles' and sell them to those who don't have masks in very limited quantities. This is about caring for others and helping the community. We apologize to anyone who felt uncomfortable," wrote the SM Entertainment Global Shop account in their clarification post.

(kor/rsp)