Jin receives over 320,000 letters upon enlistment

THE CAMP, launched by the Korean military, is the only channel for fans to communicate with their idols who are serving in the military. Currently, fans can check the idols' menu and the training center photos through this app, and even send them letters. According to the company, Jin from the boy group BTS received 320,000 letters during his training period.

Image Source|the qoo

However, this APP is expected to be upgraded in early next year, with enhanced fan forum features to create a channel for idols to interact with fans. Especially, currently comfort letters can only be sent during the training period, and the plan is to change this in February next year so that they can be sent even after the unit is deployed.

In addition, the app is currently free to use, but it is expected to become partially paid after upgrading. THE CAMP's Representative Jang said, "For example, the word limit for consolation letters is 1500 words, but paying members have no word limit. Furthermore, plans are in place to provide the function of sending and receiving consolation letters even after the unit is moved down."

In a previous interview, Representative Jang stated, "The sales in the first half of this year have surpassed last year's results, and it's the first time we've made a profit since the development of this app." He directly stated, "The effect of the influx of ARMYs in 2022 was very obvious. At that time, a swarm of foreign fans and users in their teens poured in."

Image Source|the qoo

It is also expected to expand logistics and e-commerce after receiving investment funds, and to produce content related to the military, such as uniforms, cosmetics, dolls and other own brands (PB). Moreover, it will use the intellectual property rights (IP) of enlisted artists to produce merchandise.

As soon as the news broke, it sparked a heated debate on Korean sites, with many netizens expressing their opposition. They commented, "How can they even think of exploiting idols serving in the military to make money, are they out of their minds?", "Do they even have to work while serving?", "At least let them have an easier time in the military. Do they even have to make money from consolation letters, are they that desperate?", "My favorite idol went to a very tough place to serve, please let them rest", "Isn't this all about generating profit? Can they even do that?", "They are even sucking their blood while they're serving".

"Fans are flooding in with letters, it must have opened the hell's gate for the administrative staff... that's why they ended up doing this… how are they planning to categorize 320,000 letters," "Why are they allowed to use the artist's intellectual property rights? Aren't they a private company? Are they planning to sit back and reap benefits?" "If they are not planning to train them, they should stop with the nonsense," "I am a fan of the official cafe, I will just go to the cafe."

Some fans also said, "It seems that the profits are also going to the Ministry of National Defense, and their time to respond to consolation letters is also included in the service period," and "Although THE CAMP is a private enterprise, it was developed in cooperation with the army."

Image Source|the qoo