According to Korea Times, it is no longer unusual to see crowds of fans surrounding celebrities at the airport - one of the most popular places in Korea to see celebrities.
In an attempt to get close to their favorite stars, these fans often wait at the airport for hours, even carrying heavy cameras just to have a brief encounter with their idol.
Unlike official concerts or fan meetings, meeting artists at the airport is free, fans do not need to participate in the fierce battle for tickets. The airport space allows fans to get closer to their idols, take close-up photos and videos.
A reporter revealed that there are people who carry more expensive and professional cameras than reporters. However, these people are not necessarily real fans.
They can be “data sellers”, selling their video images to other fans to make money, or selling celebrity flight information.
According to the photojournalist, the trend of fans surrounding celebrities at the airport began in the 2010s, with the rise of "airport fashion".
Stars' airport outfits gradually become a means to advertise brands, turning the airport into a runway, blurring the line between personal space and public display.
For safety reasons, most celebrities tend to hire bodyguards at the airport. However, this inevitably leads to unexpected clashes between security staff and enthusiastic fans, or even normal tourists.
The recent controversial incident was when the bodyguard of actor "Carry me and run" Byeon Woo Seok arbitrarily blocked the gate, shined a light on the passengers, and checked the tickets and passports of those entering the waiting room - this is the case. which private security personnel are not allowed to do.
Kpop boy band Cravity also encountered a similar problem, when a person claiming to be a minor claimed to have been hit in the head by Cravity's bodyguard at Gimpo International Airport and filed a lawsuit.
However, according to Korea Times, excessive protection can cause problems, but inadequate protection can also lead to safety risks for celebrities.
Recently, a video recorded the scene of a crowd gathering and pushing each other when "Queen of Tears" star Kim Ji Won appeared at the airport, making fans of the actress worried.
Cultural critic Kim Seong Soo said this poses a dilemma for entertainment companies. They must balance promoting popularity and human rights for their artists.
Incheon International Airport is under pressure after the Byeon Woo Seok incident and promised to strengthen security measures, without further inflaming public debate about preferential treatment of celebrities.
Photojournalists proposed setting up separate departure gates for celebrities. However, this may be opposed by public opinion.
Korea Times emphasized that the most effective way to prevent accidents at the airport is for each individual to take responsibility for ensuring the safety of themselves and everyone else.
The BTS fan community, ARMY, recently created sympathy when member Jin boarded a flight to Paris to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympic torch relay.
Despite the crowd at the airport, Jin's supporters still adhered to the designated safety lines and cheered him from afar. Meanwhile, the star personally greeted each fan as he entered the station.
“The management company's response is also very important. BTS's company is a typical example, coordinating with Incheon International Airport to create safe paths for artists" - photojournalist shared.
