When the group ’The Boyz’ suffered damage due to sasaeng fans, their agency IST Entertainment announced a strong response. It was also revealed that member Sunwoo and the staff were assaulted by a Sasaeng fan, and that a police investigation is currently underway.
On the 14th, IST Entertainment posted a statement on The Boyz’s official fan cafe, saying, “Recently, acts that violate artists’ privacy and threaten their safety have continued to occur, and we would like to convey our position on this.”
The agency said, “Unauthorized visits to places related to the artist’s private life, such as the office building and shop, as well as accommodations, visiting on a private schedule, spreading malicious rumors, and forcibly touching the members’ movements when entering and leaving the airport, including on airplanes, taking photos. As various illegal activities such as filming videos, following vehicles, and attempting to contact people by illegally obtaining personal information continue, not only artists, but also their families, acquaintances, and people around them are suffering mentally and materially. “We are suffering damage,” he said.
He continued, “On the 9th, an incident occurred when The Boyz member Sunwoo got off the elevator to his dorm after finishing his schedule and was about to open the front door and go in when a sasaeng who was hiding in the emergency staircase on the floor approached him.” He added, “There was a threat to the sasaeng. “Sunwoo, who felt it, immediately reported this to our staff and caught our staff and the sasaeng who broke into the house and handed them over to the police.”
“In the process of holding the sasaeng who was trying to run away, he was beaten several times, and the person in question was arrested on suspicion of trespassing and assault, and a police investigation is currently underway,” he said. “Sunwoo and our employees visited a nearby hospital immediately after the accident to receive a checkup. He received medical treatment and is continuously checking his condition and taking necessary measures.”
The agency also said, “We recently confirmed that a location tracker was attached to an artist’s vehicle parked in front of our company building, and another incident occurred in which another vehicle’s tires were intentionally damaged by another person.” They were aware of both incidents immediately after they occurred. “Additional damage was prevented, CCTV was secured, and a police report was filed,” he explained.
In addition, “These actions are clear illegal acts that cause mental and material damage to artists and staff,” he said. “We respond with zero tolerance to illegal actions, including invasions of privacy
The agency said, “As acts infringing on the rights and interests of artists are going too far, we inform you that we are constantly collecting evidence and reviewing materials through legal representatives. We once again tell you that there will be no leniency or agreement in this process.” He warned.
‘The Boyz’, which debuted in December 2017, is a 10-member boy group. He made his name known by winning the Mnet survival program ‘Road to Kingdom’ and successfully completed his third world tour ‘Generation II’ last September.
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What are the legal protections available for K-Pop artists against sasaeng fans?
Interview between Time.news Editor and K-Pop Privacy Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have a special guest, Dr. Minah Lee, an expert in K-Pop culture and privacy issues in the entertainment industry. Dr. Lee, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Minah Lee (ML): Thank you for having me! I’m glad to discuss such an important topic.
TNE: Recently, the K-Pop group The Boyz faced a serious situation involving sasaeng fans. For our viewers who may not be familiar, can you explain what sasaeng fans are?
ML: Certainly! Sasaeng fans are a small but concerning group of overly intrusive fans who invade the privacy of idols. They often engage in illegal behaviors, such as stalking, unauthorized tracking, and even harassment, which can severely affect the mental health and safety of the artists.
TNE: In this instance, The Boyz’s agency reported that member Sunwoo was assaulted by a sasaeng fan. Can you shed light on how common such incidents are within the K-Pop industry?
ML: Unfortunately, this type of incident is not uncommon. Many K-Pop artists have faced harassment or even physical confrontations due to obsessive fans. It’s an alarming reality that needs more attention, as it highlights the darker side of fandom culture.
TNE: The agency expressed zero tolerance for these illegal activities, and they are taking necessary legal measures. What steps can agencies take to protect their artists from such extreme behavior?
ML: Agencies need to prioritize the safety of their artists by implementing stringent security measures. This could include hiring professional security teams, utilizing technology to monitor threats, and maintaining a strong legal stance against harassment. More importantly, there’s a need for a cultural shift in fandom where respect for the artists’ personal lives is emphasized.
TNE: The agency also mentioned tracking devices being found on vehicles associated with the group. How can this issue be dealt with on a broader scale?
ML: This is quite troubling and reflects a serious invasion of privacy. On a broader scale, there should be more awareness and education about the implications of such invasive behavior. Stricter laws need to be enforced against stalking and harassment in order to better protect artists, and there should be consequences for harassment that affect not just fans but also artists’ families and acquaintances.
TNE: Given the rise in popularity of K-Pop globally, do you believe that there will be increased incidents of this nature?
ML: I do think as K-Pop continues to grow in international popularity, we may see more incidents like this, partly due to increased exposure and access to idols. However, this also means there’s an opportunity for agencies and fans to advocate for healthier, more respectful fan behaviors, which could foster a safer environment for all.
TNE: Dr. Lee, it seems clear that both the industry and fans have a role to play in addressing these issues. What final message would you like to impart to both the fans and the agencies regarding this situation?
ML: To fans, I would say that admiration should never cross the line into harassment. Respect for artists’ personal lives is fundamental. And for agencies, maintaining transparency about the struggles artists face is important, while enforcing strong security and legal measures to ensure their safety. Ultimately, we all share the responsibility of creating a supportive and safe environment for artists.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Lee, for your insights on this critical issue. We hope for a future where artists can enjoy their success without the overwhelming pressure of invasive fans.
ML: Thank you for having me. It’s vital that we keep the conversation going about this topic.