The disturbing trend of obsessive fan behavior escalating to criminal levels is becoming increasingly common, raising serious concerns about celebrity safety and well-being. What once started as admiration has, in many cases, devolved into dangerous acts such as trespassing, relentless stalking, and even physical assault.
Many public figures now find themselves constantly on edge, struggling with severe mental and emotional distress as their personal boundaries are repeatedly violated. The growing invasion of privacy not only disrupts their daily lives but also poses significant risks to their security, highlighting the urgent need for stricter measures to protect them from these escalating threats.
Sharing Flights, Planting Trackers on Vehicles and Physical Assault
On March 5, the management company of ENHYPEN released a statement detailing severe stalking incidents involving its members. Fans had gone to extreme lengths to invade their privacy, including hiring delivery drivers and chauffeurs to infiltrate their residence and secretly take photos. Many also illegally acquired flight information, boarded the same planes, and persistently filmed them in private spaces without consent.
Entertainment agencies frequently urge fans to maintain order at airports, but when popular idols travel, crowds often become uncontrollable. In the chaos, excessive physical contact and filming in restricted areas occur, causing distress to celebrities.
The issue of leaked flight information has long plagued the K-pop industry. Recently, a foreign airline employee was caught selling flight details of artists, including BTS, for profit. Reports revealed that buyers would use this information to board the same flights, tamper with in-flight meals, or even alter seat reservations to disrupt travel plans.
One of the most alarming cases of fan obsession turned violent involved Sunwoo of THE BOYZ. In November last year, a sasaeng fan hid in his apartment building’s emergency stairwell. As Sunwoo exited the elevator, the intruder confronted him, prompting him to call his agency. While attempting to detain the fleeing fan, Sunwoo was physically attacked multiple times.
THE BOYZ members have faced relentless stalking, with fans illegally visiting their agency, salons, and even their home. In a disturbing escalation, a tracking device was found on one of their vehicles, and another had its tires deliberately slashed. These incidents have now reached a level where the artists’ safety is directly at risk.
Song Jae-rim’s Nightmare: The Dark Side of Obsessive Fan Behavior
During his lifetime, the late actor Song Jae-rim was allegedly subjected to relentless harassment by an obsessive Japanese fan known as “A.” This individual repeatedly shared uncensored photos of his family and close acquaintances while continuously leaking his personal information. Although it remains uncertain whether this harassment directly contributed to his passing, fans and those who knew him believe he endured immense psychological distress. Following the news of his death, “A” swiftly deleted their social media accounts and vanished from public view.
A Disturbing Legacy of Obsession: From Prank Calls to Stalker Cabs
Obsessive fan behavior has been a persistent issue in the entertainment industry, with one of the most common forms being the illegal acquisition of celebrities’ private contact information and relentless prank calls.
In 2022, BTS’s Jungkook experienced this firsthand during a live broadcast when he received multiple prank calls. Clearly unsettled, he voiced his discomfort, saying, “This is creepy. Please stop.” He had previously addressed the issue in 2019, revealing, “I don’t answer calls from unknown numbers. To be honest, sasaeng fans call me a lot, so I have no choice but to block them.”
Singer Kim Jaejoong, who debuted with TVXQ in 2003, has long spoken out about the extreme harassment he and his group members have endured. TVXQ’s dorm keys were illegally duplicated, fans went as far as collecting their used sanitary products, and some even kissed them while they were asleep.
Among the most disturbing forms of sasaeng behavior is the infamous “sasaeng taxi” phenomenon, which Jaejoong has repeatedly condemned. These taxis, operated by drivers who profit from stalking, are hired by obsessive fans to follow celebrities wherever they go. Speaking out against the practice last year, Jaejoong stated, “It’s horrifying how people profit from violating someone’s precious time and emotions. The operators of these sasaeng taxi services are even worse than the fans who use them.”
As fan culture continues to evolve, the line between admiration and obsession has become increasingly blurred. While genuine support is essential to an artist’s success, invasive and criminal behavior poses serious risks to their safety and mental well-being. Stronger measures, both legal and social, are needed to protect public figures from these escalating threats. Ultimately, respecting personal boundaries is not just a matter of ethics, it is a necessity to ensure that celebrities can live and work without fear.
