VIP vs Gen Ad

It all started with this now-deleted TikTok video:

Uhmmmm??????? pic.twitter.com/DlosRtdTDD

— Ysa (@ysabuys) October 17, 2021

It’s got the internet collectively pulling a grimace either from disbelief that this was actually supposed to be “funny” or from the sheer offensiveness of it all. Either way, that video posted by TikTok user s3cret04 drew flak on its original platform and somehow spilled over into Twitter too. The girl deleted the video after she realized it was going viral for the wrong reasons, but by that time it was too late — too many people had seen it and the internet had plenty of things to say about it.

An apology

tamaAaa may apology vid na pic.twitter.com/ZwJXIN4zQo

— jai | busy school reqs (@jlovesbuying) October 17, 2021

The next step for an online influencer who has offended the masses is to issue an apology video. s3cret04 posted hers on TikTok saying she was sincerely sorry to those she hurt and that she understood their concern.

“So first, I just want to tell you guys na walang mali if you’re Gen Ad because dati hindi rin ako nag-v-VIP agad. And walang mali do’n,” she started. She went on to say that as a fan herself, she knows we all go to concerts to see our favorite artists live whether our ticket is Gen Ad or VIP. Before she wrapped up the video, s3cret04 acknowledged everyone’s concerns, saying she wished she chose what she was going to post.

But although the apology was already out there for everyone to consider forgiving her, the criticisms still didn’t stop. In the end, she had to put her TikTok on private and deactivated her Twitter account (a.k.a the third step for an online influencer who offended the masses). But her main TikTok account is still public.

It doesn’t matter whether you’ve got Gen Ad or VIP tix

Whether you’re seated in Gen Ad or VIP, be grateful that you’re part of the concert. Not everyone has that kind of opportunity.

— Philippine Concerts (@philconcerts) October 18, 2021

Let’s get one thing clear: VIP vs Gen Ad might give you a different viewing experience but it’s the same event. You came to the concert to support artists and have fun with your friends (and sometimes strangers). You scraped enough money together just so you can hear your favorite song live. Philippine Concerts on Twitter is right: not everyone has that opportunity.

Hmmm. In light of that tiktok video, I just want to say: it doesn’t matter what seat you have in a concert. It could be standing outside at the venue, the last seat at gen ad, or it could even be at the concert rails – the important thing is you’re enjoying what you can.

— aya. (@sehunownsme) October 17, 2021

In 2017, my friends and I were extremely disappointed when Coldplay tickets sold out while we were in line for it. Fortunately, the concert was held at MOA Concert Grounds, a huge parking lot which meant the concert was going to be open air. On the night of, my friends and I — along with hundreds of other Filipino fans — were outside the venue jamming to a muffled version of “Hymn For The Weekend.” We heard Coldplay, but unfortunately, we didn’t see them. I would’ve gladly paid for a ticket, even if I was standing at the farthest spot in the Gen Ad section, just so I could’ve been really part of it.

Degrading other people?

this is very disrespectful. I know its a flex to be a vip ticket holder in a concert but downgrading gen ad ticket holders? very insensitive. don’t u know most kpop fans do their best to save up just to buy those gen ad tix? please always think before u post something like this https://t.co/St0Is9Ay4E

— H✿ (@exopinksure) October 17, 2021

All this to say that sure, VIP is always a better option. But not everyone is privileged enough to afford five-digit tickets. And if all your wallet can take is a Gen Ad seat, that’s still better than nothing because at least you get to support your idols and have fun. The VIP section might give you a 1080p++++ viewing experience but the vibe in the Gen Ad section is different. (Dare we say that’s where the true fans are.) And after those lights dim and the artist exits, you’ll still be glad you were there at all.

tbh a lot of people in the vip area are not fans, usually rich kids talaga esp if the artist is super popular (experienced this during 1d). i’d rather be in gen ad vibing with other fans than in vip na puro snob naman. https://t.co/yh92VMzexy

— anna ♡ (@tinyjjkook) October 17, 2021

Content creators sacrificing their rep in the name of “good content”

Saw sum1 posted sumthing offensive on tiktok. If u feel superior for having a vip tix, u are the problem. Bcs I see nothing wrong with watching concert with gen ad tix. Don’t come at ppl who can only afford gen ad tix. And, pls stop using them for ur nonsense content.

— azi | analyst niyong pagod (@i_m_zyx) October 17, 2021

Tiktok user s3cret04 said it herself: she should’ve considered the implications of what she was saying before posting it. It’s another one of those “this post should’ve stayed in your drafts” situations. While we don’t know how she thought this was ok while she was filming and uploading the whole thing, we do know she learned from her mistake. She must have, right? After all, making fun of people for not being as rich as you is a whole ‘nother level of wrong.

for the ppl defending her cuz she put “content lang”, it’s still wrong. it’s not because ppl offended are soft, pero it’s insensitive for those who can’t afford. some fans save up for that gen ad seat just to watch their idols perform dahil hindi naman lahat privileged to buy vip pic.twitter.com/IfvqLKjPoe

— jy (@your_jyy) October 17, 2021

Netizens stumbled on another problematic video

walang modo ‘to ang matapobre pic.twitter.com/880duaDpTr

— arki (@sehunsilog) October 17, 2021

As if the whole VIP vs. Gen Ad issue wasn’t big enough, s3cret04’s rep was further tarnished when a video resurfaced of her bragging about her father and belittling other fathers in the process. In the video, she talked about how she isn’t offended when people tell her everything she has is from her dad. She then proceeded to say how her dad worked hard to give his family everything they need and want “as he should.”

“But you know what’s offensive?” she asked (in a blaccent). “If your dad ain’t doing that, I’m sorry for you. And now you’re gonna be like ‘Oh my gosh, you are so offensive. My dad is working so hard it’s just that the opportunity and the economy..’ See? Now you’re gonna be acting like the victim. Bestie, if you don’t want me to make comments about your life, then don’t make comments about mine. Period.”

A matter of privilege

Working hard does not equate to earning more. It has always been a matter of privilege. Always is, always has been.

A farmer works as much or even harder than the CEOs of different companies,

— Lucas MD (@curagatherapy) October 18, 2021

If netizens were thinking of “forgiving” her for her VIP ticket blunder, this video is a little trickier to get past. You don’t mock other people’s families just because you’re well-off. You don’t brag about being superior because your dad gave you everything you needed and wanted. It just shows how sensitive and out of touch with reality a person is if they go down this road. Who are they to say that a parent hasn’t worked hard enough to give their kids a luxurious life when they’re busy hustling to provide food on the table every single day? What about kids without fathers or parents to provide for them? Who’s fault is that going to be?

Oh my god. She really thinks working hard means you also earn a lot? There are lots of parents out there who wants to give everything for their children but couldn’t. There’s nothing wrong with being rich tho but being matapobre and lacking basic empathy is a problem.

— (@_zkdlin0112) October 17, 2021

Never too late for a reality check

We’ve all seen this play out before. Someone offends the entire Filipino population online, gets flak for it, and disappears from the internet. We know many of them come crawling back to online society eventually, the shame attached to them like some sort of dystopian badge. Get your 15 seconds of fame, just not the way you pictured it. But the thing is, it’s not too late for a reality check, Tiktok user s3cret04 (and other content creators who are about to offend everyone in the future). Use this big fat online callout to be a better person. Most importantly, to all the creators out there, please for the love of all things fun on Tiktok, rethink your content 100 times before posting.

What do you think of the whole VIP vs Gen Ad issue? Leave a comment below!

Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube, and be the first to know about the latest news and coolest trends!