Ticket scalping is a problem that affects music fans globally. While some countries and companies have announced plans to tackle the problem, fans are still left to deal with the effects, including strict verification procedures and sky-high prices.
One of the industries most affected by ticket scalpers is the K-pop music scene, since there is a demand for K-pop concerts. Sadly, most groups don’t talk about the issue, choosing to remain silent despite the constant complaints. However, SEVENTEEN (세븐틴) leader S.Coups (에스쿱스) recently touched on the topic during a recent live broadcast. His comment, while brief, prompted praise from fans and netizens alike.
On Monday (11th August 2025), the rapper held a live broadcast on Weverse. As the date of the broadcast coincided with the ticket sale for SEVENTEEN’s upcoming concert in Incheon, many of the comments were about ticketing. Some fans expressed frustration about the ticketing process and the rise of scalpers and bots. Others also lamented that companies require identity verification for tickets, sparking privacy concerns.
Touching on the subject, S.Coups said, “This is something I’ve always wanted to say, but whether it turns out this way or that way, if we can’t catch the resellers, then what’s the point of having identity verification? Let’s get rid of it. Please get rid of it.” The idol was calling out ticketing companies to stop scalpers instead of simply employing identity verification, arguing that it doesn’t fix the ongoing issue.
The clip was also posted on social media, where it gained more comments from netizens. Most agreed with S.Coups, arguing that companies should tackle the scalping and bot issues instead of infringing on fans’ privacy. Some also mentioned how the identity verification process can still fail fans, but rarely affect scalpers. Many also praised him for speaking up about the issue, especially since there were staff members in the room.
Kudos to S.Coups for speaking up on this issue. Hopefully, this can inspire other artists to speak up as well and pressure ticketing companies to take action. Here’s a clip from S.Coups’ broadcast:
@pinwheelkidult1010 250811 As someone who had gotten randomly ban by ITP with no way of proving that i am NOT a bot. Scoups speaking up on behalf of us Carats 😭 Yes, pls get rid of id verification. #SEVENTEEN #세븐틴 #최승철 #에스쿱스 #Scoups #weverselive #ticketing
