KUALA LUMPUR – MND Sport & Event Sdn Bhd has admitted that fewer than 50% of refunds have been processed for a Korean pop event it cancelled over six months ago, despite earlier assurances that all ticket buyers would be fully refunded by December 5, 2024.
The company has come under fire from SHINee fans worldwide after numerous individuals alleged that they had yet to receive their refunds, months after the cancellation of a fan meeting with Onew, the leader of the South Korean boyband, in July last year.
In a statement posted today on its X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram accounts, MND Sport & Event denied “recent allegations” against it, stating: “Rest assured, all refunds are being processed.”
“Since September 2024, we’ve been processing refunds, starting with those who purchased directly from us. As of today, almost 50% of refund applications have been refunded,” the company said.
“We understand the progress has been slower than expected, but we’re committed to making sure everyone gets their refund,” it added, noting its appreciation for ticket buyers’ patience while apologising for any inconvenience caused.
Responding to the statement, ticket buyers did not mince their words in slamming the company for apparently backtracking on its earlier promises, with some netizens highlighting that the firm had failed to respond to complaints raised multiple times prior to today’s statement.
In particular, an X account representing Malaysian SHINee fans demanded immediate refunds, adding: “We will no longer tolerate any excuses since this matter has been delayed for months.
“No official statements from your side were made while fans were left hanging all this while. Justice for everyone!”.
The page also pressed the company to address claims that one of its directors had threatened to “step” on Onew fans in a tweet uploaded the day after it was reported that 55 ticket buyers for the fanmeeting had issued a legal demand notice to MND Sport & Event.
Some fans also questioned why MND Sport & Event had only begun processing refunds in September 2024 – two months after the event was cancelled and contrary to its earlier assertion that refunds would be processed beginning August 1 that year.
According to information posted online, tickets for the fanmeeting with Onew were priced between RM258 to RM988, with the event initially scheduled to take place on July 27 last year.
However, just 10 days before fans were set to meet their idol, MND Sport & Event announced the cancellation of the event, citing “unforeseen internal circumstances” while assuring that the decision was made after “thorough consideration”.
In the cancellation notice, uploaded on its social media platforms, the event organiser also said that refunds will be processed starting from August 1, with all ticket holders expected to receive a full refund by December 5.
On December 12, Scoop reported that global fans of Onew claimed that there have been extensive delays by the organiser in completing refunds for the meet-and-greet event.
The issue also drew the attention of Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s daughter, Selangor Princess Tengku Zatashah, who took to Instagram to express her disappointment with the organiser’s handling of the situation.
Scoop previously reported that MND Sport & Event had issued a letter of demand against an individual who uploaded online posts condemning its apparent crisis mismanagement, with the company claiming RM1 million in damages as well as an unconditional apology. – January 27, 2025