KMJS says K-pop photocards story meant to teach a lesson, condemns trolling of staff

THE GMA magazine program “Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho” defended its episode on a teenager who stole P2 million to buy K-pop merchandise, after fans complained that it put collectors in a bad light.

The fans also expressed concern about their safety in the aftermath of the show. They fear that their k-pop merchandise would be stolen after the show said the photocards could cost as much as P50,000 each.

The episode featured a high school student identified as “Bea,” who admitted to having stolen P2 million from her grandmother just to fund her extravagant collection of K-pop merchandise. 

In a statement on Tuesday, KMJS said the story was not meant to judge, but to serve as a lesson and warning. 

It also said it did not mean to put anybody at risk.

Tulad ng ibang mga kuwentong itinampok sa KMJS, ginawa namin ang istorya ni ‘Bea’ hindi para manghusga, pero para magsilbing aral at babala,”

KMJS

“Walang intensyon ang programa na makasakit, makapahamak ng iba, o magkaroon ng pagkakahati-hati,” it added. 

Theft of K-pop merch? 

KMJS said it looked into an online post that alleged that there had been a snatching incident at the Cubao MRT-3 station involving K-pop merchandise, and that this was connected to the show’s recent episode about Bea. 

It said it coordinated with the management of the railway station as well as nearby police stations to verify the matter. But it said there were no reported incidents of theft of K-pop merchandise in the last 48 hours. 

The program also shared the request of Bea’s family to stop online attacks against  them, as well as the disclosure of their identities to the public. 

The situation has also gotten to the point where staff members of the show experienced “trolling” and “harassment,” it said. 

It condemned these acts and said it has gotten in touch with its legal team to discuss its next steps. 

Netizens react

Over the weekend, the episode trended online because of varied reactions posed by netizens. 

Many of the comments were from K-pop fans who criticized the program for its supposedly unfair portrayal of the act of collecting merchandise of their K-pop idols.

A Twitter user said it was “irresponsible” of the show to put K-pop collecting in a bad light on national TV. 

“And it’s so unfair how they always celebrate grown men flexing their toy collections or show homes wrapped around with christmas decors every year,” the netizen said. 

Others even speculated that the entire segment was “scripted or planned.” 

They also doubted the part where Bea’s grandmother, through it all, claimed to have been clueless that she was already missing P2 million. 

In the episode, it was revealed that Bea’s collection had an estimated value of Php 2.7 million, with some items like photo cards costing as much as P50,000 each. 

Some questioned the prices, especially those who likewise collect memorabilia of their K-pop idols. 

Others said the show should have made it clear that not all photocards cost this much, as their items are now at risk of being stolen. 

“kmjs di naman po totoo na 50k yan? grabe naman po kayo mag balita? nagresearch po ba talaga kayo? jusko naman talaga hays btw, higher po,”  one Twitter user said.  

Questioning “Bea” 

There were also netizens who questioned the story of Bea.

One netizen alleged that Bea’s sister has been selling K-pop merchandise and called on the public not to support the shop. 

Others alleged that Bea and her family are not poor, as it appeared on the show, and shared photos supposedly of her family and their luxury items. 

Bea’s story

In the KMJS episode, Bea expressed deep regret for stealing from her adoptive grandmother while the latter cried in anger for what Bea had done to her. 

It said her grandmother sells plastic products in her business, and tasked Bea to serve as cashier, not knowing that she would be betrayed. 

The consequence of Bea’s theft of the money eventually led her grandmother to sell her property just to pay off her debts. 

Meanwhile, Bea’s family decided to sell Bea’s collections online so that they could recover at least a portion of the money she had taken. 

Bea was also brought to a psychiatrist and she was found out to have Impulse Control Disorder, which means lacking the ability to maintain self-control. If not addressed, it could result in extreme dysfunctions in the personal, familial, academic and social aspects of their lives.