Aespa and RIIZE’s New Merchandise Faces Backlash From Angry Fans

aespa and RIIZE are facing backlash over sky-high prices for their 2026 Season’s Greetings.

The controversy started when SM Entertainment revealed the merchandise packages this week. Most artists’ packages are priced at ₩49,000 KRW (~$34.60 USD). But aespa and RIIZE’s packages cost a shocking ₩129,000 KRW (~$91.10 USD) — more than double.

Fans quickly took to TheQoo to express disbelief.

“I thought it was a typo.”
“Only aespa and RIIZE’s are like that. They’re the two most popular groups, and it looks like they’re just to squeeze money out of fans. I get that it’s a business, but this is too much, seriously.”
“130,000 won??? Does it come with a RIIZE member or something?? Why’s it so expensive?”
“I clicked in thinking it’d be 50,000 won, but they took off 1,000 lol. Guess I’ll buy it.”
“What the hell is even in something that costs 130,000 won?”
“Why didn’t they just make two versions, a 49,000 and a 120,000 one, and sell them separately… This price is evil, you bastards ㅠㅠㅠ”
“It’s so expensive ㅜㅜ Please make it a bit cheaper.”
“I saw the price and thought it included all the groups’ Season’s Greetings together lmao. Are they insane?”

The steep cost compares to what’s inside. Red Velvet and NCT Dream’s packages include 10 items like posters, diaries, calendars, and gel pens for around ₩49,000 KRW.

aespa’s Western-themed package has 18 items. It includes premium goods like a pendant necklace, denim tote bag, foldable paper house, A2 fabric poster, and five different keychains.

RIIZE offers 16 items including a metal keychain, birthday bag, miniature boxed paper dolls, plus exclusive videos. Their boxes are larger and made like advent calendars with hidden surprises.

SM’s newest group Hearts2Hearts has a fairer price of ₩55,000 KRW (~$38.80 USD) with a keychain set and video content added.

Fans remain divided. Some feel the quality justifies the price. Others say these costs rival concert tickets and are too much for merchandise.

SM Entertainment has not publicly responded yet as the pricing debate heats up.