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 K-pop star V of BTS 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. ‘The reasons we fell in love’ – K-pop’s HyunA and Dawn open up 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. What is gapjil and why does it affect Exo’s Chen? #taehyung @BTS_twt pic.twitter.com/G1FoQ8Vbs3 — (@KTHvideo) December 14, 2019 Fans in vehicles tail these performers, sometimes resulting in accidents. Last year in Taiwan, when BTS was en route to their hotel, some obsessed fans pursued their vehicle, resulting in a road collusion. Fortunately no one was injured. Cyberbullying This issue plagues K-pop stars and spurred a crisis in this industry on how to better protect performers. Various celebrities have opened up about online harassment taking a toll on their psychological health, an issue cited as a contributor behind the recent spate of celebrity deaths, such as Sulli . Rapper Daniel Kang recently announced a pause in his solo career to cope with the aftermath of this issue, including depression and panic attacks triggered by cyberbullying. According to The Korea Times , Kang took legal action against a group of internet fans that posted malicious and defamatory comments about the star. Are Jonghyun, Sulli and Goo Hara victims of the K-pop industry? Kidnapping attempts Obsessed fans have even tried to abduct stars. Some succeeded. A kidnapping attempt occurred live on stage in 2011 when a male fan rushed to the podium and snatched Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon (Kim Tae-yeon) at the Price Music Festival in Seoul. Security staff intervened. Singer and actor Lee Bon became a victim of abduction. In an episode of Kim Soo-mi’s Did You Eat show, the 90s icon shared details; one day she was walking to her car and she blacked out. “All I remember is walking towards the car … then waking up the next morning in a room that was not mine,” she recounts. After confronting the kidnappers, the star learned they were fans. One of them proposed to her. She declined. If you are having suicidal thoughts, or you know someone who is, help is available. For Hong Kong, dial +852 2896 0000 for The Samaritans or +852 2382 0000 for Suicide Prevention Services. In the US, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on +1 800 273 8255. For a list of other nations’ helplines, see this page . Want more stories like this? Sign up here . Follow STYLE on Facebook , Instagram , YouTube and Twitter .