Fans complained a USB memory stick containing a web link to G-DRAGON's new album smeared their hands red but it's intended, according to the singer's agency, YG Entertainment. The USB was hand-made and painted red, and it was scratched to give an ancient and vintage look.
Last week G-DRAGON released his solo mini-album "Kwon Ji Yong" in the form of a USB with "Kwon Ji Yong Blood Type A 1988.08.18" engraved on its red-painted metal casing.
A Japanese fan has uploaded a set of pictures onto Instagram that showed her hand stained with red paint, along with a post that read: "It wore off very easily when I rubbed the USB with my fingers."
"It's intended by the singer," YG said in a statement on Friday. "We have already alerted fans the USB could be scratched, or that its paint can wear off."
The USB has become a hot topic among music fans. "Although G-DRAGON says it's intended, I think it's just an excuse. He should have taken more care," said "Bonghwabear", a user from South Korea's online community Clien. Another user "Taijilove" pointed out: "I wonder how many fans criticizing the USB have actually bought it. I have, and it is perfectly fine to me."
Park Sae-jin = swatchsjp@ajunews.com