Netizens were disappointed.
Recently, Hana Bank’s Travel GO Check PLAVE Limited Edition design card, in collaboration with the virtual idol group PLAVE, caused much confusion on its first release day.
The server crashed after launching, and the event was criticized for exploiting fan loyalty and encouraging excessive spending.
This card was limited to 30,000 copies, and users were entered into a raffle to win limited-edition luggage tags for 10,000 people and hotel vouchers, based on their purchase amount.
However, the percentage of winning was proportional to the number of purchases, forcing fans to make unnecessary purchases to secure the merchandise. This was met with criticism, and they felt that they were “treating fans like fools.”
Online community boards expressed disappointment, and concerns grew that the financial products were focused on short-term marketing rather than consumer protection.
As soon as the card was launched, the Hana Bank apps were frozen, and applicants were repeatedly shown error screens, unable to even apply.
K-Netizens also expressed disappointment in the way this was set up.
- “They’ve crossed the line.”
- “It’s not even a payment application…what’s with having your chances go up depending on how much money you spend…?”
- “They’re really going to make it about how much you spend…”
- “I thought they gave it to you if you just made a card.”
- “Oh, it’s a raffle…”
Meanwhile, PLAVE is a five-member virtual idol group that debuted in 2023. However, this collaboration has shown that marketing strategies leveraging an artist’s popularity can cause “merchandising consumption.”
Source: www.koreaboo.com