'The 2026 ATEEZ Fan Meeting DAWN:26' was held on January 17 at Ewha Womans University Grand Auditorium in Seoul. While the event featured performances and interactions by ATEEZ, controversy emerged following the conclusion of the fan meeting regarding eligibility for special programs and event benefits.
Prior to the event, the official website announced a “Wish Fulfillment Event,” stating that participation was available to “ticket holders of the performance.” However, the notice did not clearly distinguish eligibility based on ticket type or sales channel. Additionally, while NOL ticket notices specified that Japanese nationals were not eligible to purchase tickets through the platform, no information was provided indicating that NOL ticket holders would be excluded from post-event programs or benefits.
Some fans also reported receiving responses from the official TOKTOQ customer service prior to the event stating that commemorative gifts and a post-event hand-greeting session in the venue lobby were part of the event’s second session and would be conducted for fan meeting participants as well as tour package participants. These responses contributed to the perception that general ticket holders would also be eligible.
However, after the event concluded, attendees who had purchased tickets through the NOL platform stated that they were excluded from the hand-greeting event and commemorative gift distribution without prior explanation on site. In contrast, participants who attended through inbound tour packages reportedly received all advertised benefits.
As criticism grew, KQ Entertainment released an official statement apologizing for the confusion. The company explained that the fan meeting was operated with two distinct ticket types: an inbound tour package that included special programs (JTB inbound tour), and a benefit-excluded admission ticket (NOL ticket) sold separately for remaining seats.
KQ clarified that the phrase “open to domestic applicants” was intended to indicate that the inbound tour package was available to applicants regardless of whether they resided domestically or overseas, and did not mean that NOL ticket purchasers were eligible for the special programs. The company also acknowledged that some TOKTOQ notices published under the title “Fan Meeting Announcement” included inbound tour information, which may have caused confusion by making it appear that tour benefits also applied to NOL tickets.
“We apologize for not clearly communicating sales channels and participation scopes during the announcement process, and for any inconvenience this may have caused,” KQ Entertainment stated. The company added that it would improve its notice and communication formats to ensure that product types, benefit inclusions, and participation scopes are clearly distinguished in the future.
KQ Entertainment further confirmed that certain responses provided through b.stage TOKTOQ customer center one-on-one inquiries were not fully aligned with official guidance. Corrective measures have been requested to prevent similar issues, and additional information regarding this matter will be shared through a separate channel.
The company concluded by thanking fans who attended the event and reaffirming its commitment to more careful and accurate communication moving forward.
SEE ALSO: ATEEZ continues Billboard momentum with 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.4'
SHARE
