(G)I-DLE member Yuqi has publicly apologized for comments made regarding concert ticket purchases that drew backlash from fans.
During a press conference on May 19 for the group’s latest mini-album, “We are,” Yuqi stated, “I’m sorry. When I go on variety shows, I tend to raise the energy to be funny. Please don’t misunderstand.” Her remarks stemmed from a recent appearance on a YouTube show with fellow member Minnie. When asked about Minnie’s personal expenditure of 10 million won to invite guests, Yuqi expressed her frustration, saying, “What I don’t understand is, it’s our concert but we have to buy tickets with our own money… We only get four complimentary tickets per member, and the rest we have to pay for ourselves.”
Fans quickly criticized her statements, questioning the perceived inequality in ticket access. Following the negative response, Yuqi clarified her intentions, saying, “It’s not that I don’t care about the fans. Obviously, we can’t hold concerts without them… I was just joking about our company being stingy. Honestly, I take good care of our fans.” She reiterated her regret, stating, “If any fans were hurt, I sincerely apologize.”
Group leader Soyeon expressed support for Yuqi, noting that she genuinely cares about their fans and was simply trying to inject humor into the situation.
The mini-album “We are” comprises six tracks, including the title song “Good Thing,” which was written and composed by Soyeon. The album marks a new chapter for the group, emphasizing themes of unity among members. Released on May 19 at 6 PM KST, the album also features tracks such as “Girlfriend,” which offers comfort to friends experiencing heartbreak.
