K-pop fans did what? Stalking, trolling, kidnapping, upskirt filming – and fan mail written in menstrual blood
Stalking, cyberbullying, illicit filming and kidnapping – some K-pop followers have taken what it means to be a fan too far, as these tragic real life stories prove
Wait, K-pop fans did what?
While enthusiasm and adulation of celebrities is part of fandom in the entertainment world, the over-the-line behaviour of some K-pop followers differentiates this crop from the rest. Called sasaeng in Korea, regular K-pop fans often criticise these obsessed followers for overstepping boundaries by invading their idols’ privacy and sometimes even acting criminally.
To be frank … we don’t want you to do that. It’s really scary
Upskirt filming
Female groups often battle voyeuristic followers. In 2016, the now-disbanded girl group Nine Muses made headlines internationally when a fan was caught taking upskirt footage of the performers during a gig at the Dong-ah Institute of Media and Arts. That moment went viral on social media as Hyuna called out that audience member responsible.
In 2017, a male fan was also caught with his smartphone positioned low to capture inappropriate visuals of Tzuyu from girl group Twice, during an event in South Korea.
Blood-written fan mail
Some go to extreme lengths to impress their idols, even using their own blood to pen letters. Ok Taecyeon, a rapper from boy group 2PM, received such disturbing attention in 2009, when a female fan reportedly sent a love note written in menstrual blood. We won’t include the photo, but the evidence is there for all to see on Google, if you’re into that kind of thing.
Although Lee Joon (or Lee Chang-seon) has left boy group MBLAQ, during the height of his music career, he received equally disturbing fan mail. The 2009 incident, as reported by The Chosun Ilbo, saw the male author cut himself and use the blood to write the note. “Lee Chang-seon, don’t forget me,” it said. “ … I wrote a blood book saying ‘I love you’.”
Stalking
K-pop stars learn the hard way that their privacy gets invaded, be it the trespassing of their property, hotel rooms, or other physical spaces on the ground or in the air.
V (Kim Tae-hyung), of the world’s biggest K-pop group, BTS, recently revealed the band have ceased using commercial airlines due to fans snapping up seats on their flights. In a recent live stream on V Live, the star vocalised this issue. “To be frank … we don’t want you to do that. It’s really scary,” he said.