HYBE's Weverse Con Promo Sparks Outcry Among Indian Fans Over Cultural Stereotypes

K-pop fans in India are criticizing HYBE over an ad promoting its upcoming Weverse Con Festival in the country.

Koreaboo reports that the ad was posted to Weverse's YouTube channel under the title "Weverse Con Festival is coming to India." The event is expected to be the first time several K-pop acts perform in India.

The ad follows a young Indian K-pop fan through daily life. The fan prefers a bowl of ramen to an everyday plate of rice and lentils, and new K-pop releases to Indian movies.

Many Indian viewers called the ad a "slap in the face." They said it mocked Indian culture, food and lifestyle and pinned negative stereotypes on the country's K-pop fans.

One user, @moon_2659, called the ad "so corny and honestly racist." The user added that HYBE's India marketing so far has presented Korean food and culture as better than Indian food and culture.

Several fans asked who approved the concept. One noted that the ad went through several rounds of approval and filming. Others said HYBE had not done enough to understand Indian culture, even as it works to expand into India, a major music market.

The ad isn't the only complaint. Many fans have also raised safety concerns about New Delhi as the host city, citing the high rate of crimes against women in the Indian capital.

Weverse Con Festival is scheduled for March 27 and 28, 2027.