In a developing controversy surrounding global K-pop group BLACKPINK, formal complaints have been filed with the South Korean government requesting an official investigation and audit into their recent 10th-anniversary meet-and-greet event.
On August 10, 2026, a complaint submitted through the e-People National Public Complaints Center requested that the Audit Division of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism inspect the entire approval process, venue usage permissions, visitor restrictions, and public notifications associated with the group’s private fan meeting hosted at the National Museum of Korea.
The administrative complaint has officially been assigned to an auditor, with formal processing expected by August 19.
The regulatory scrutiny comes immediately following the group’s milestone celebration on August 8, where all four members- Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa- gathered to meet 40 selected fans chosen via a lottery draw.
The event had already generated significant controversy earlier in the week due to YG Entertainment’s abrupt two-day advance notice, limited participant capacity, and restrictive entry requirements, which had previously sparked intense fan backlash and public protests outside the agency’s headquarters.
Disruption of Public Services and Facility Access Raised in Formal Petition
The core of the legal petition centers on whether the National Museum of Korea properly managed public access and facility rentals for a commercial or private entertainment event.
According to the filed complaint, the private meet-and-greet resulted in sudden access restrictions to specific exhibition halls and forced alterations to the museum’s pre-scheduled public educational activities.
Detailing the specific administrative and operational concerns brought before the government body, the complainant requested an inspection into the decision-making pipeline, stating,
“A complaint was filed requesting that the Audit Division of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism investigate and inspect the approval process, facility usage, visitor restrictions, and homepage notices related to BLACKPINK’s event at the National Museum of Korea.”
Also, the petition demands clarification regarding the exact nature of the partnership between the entertainment agency and the public institution.
The complaint specifically urges authorities to verify whether the gathering constituted an ordinary external rental or an officially recognized cultural partnership, highlighting instances where public programs were disrupted.
One instructor in charge of a scheduled museum painting workshop reported being forced to artificially delay her session due to access controls implemented for the idol group’s security, raising widespread questions regarding the prioritize-use of public cultural spaces.
Growing Fan Backlash and Member Apologies Amid Anniversary Controversies
The audit request represents the latest escalation in a series of promotional missteps surrounding BLACKPINK’s 10th debut anniversary.
Prior to the event, fans voiced severe disappointment over YG Entertainment’s handling of the decade-long milestone, pointing out that the agency had provided only two days of advance notice for a fan meeting capped at just 40 attendees- a stark contrast to the 88 fans hosted during their 8th anniversary in 2024.
Frustration among the fanbase reached a breaking point earlier in the week, culminating in public demonstrations and an incident where an individual was arrested for damaging property at YG Entertainment’s headquarters.
Recognizing the mounting discontent among their global fanbase, the members addressed the situation directly during a live Weverse broadcast conducted shortly before entering the museum venue.
Expressing deep regret over the chaotic communication and limited capacity, member Jisoo apologized directly to fans watching worldwide.
Addressing the overwhelming criticism surrounding the anniversary organization, Jisoo stated,
“We originally wanted to see many more people.
We knew this was an important day, but there seems to have been a problem in our communication. I feel sorry about that.”
Despite the members’ personal efforts to reassure supporters and celebrate their decade-long journey together, the venue selection and sudden operational changes at the National Museum of Korea have left both museum visitors and government auditors scrutinizing the event.
As the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism begins reviewing the petition, the public awaits official statements regarding the propriety of the museum’s facility approval process.