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A significant privacy breach has come to light involving the unauthorized leak and sale of flight information for BTS and other high-profile celebrities. On July 22, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Cyber Investigation Unit confirmed that three individuals have been formally referred to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office for prosecution. Among the accused is Mr. A, a foreign airline employee, who is facing charges under the Information and Communications Network Act and additional violations related to unauthorized access and data misuse.
According to authorities, Mr. A exploited his position at an international airline to access confidential travel information belonging to several well-known K-pop artists. Rather than safeguarding this sensitive data, he allegedly sold it to third-party brokers in exchange for considerable sums—reportedly in the tens of millions of Korean won. These brokers then distributed the information through encrypted messaging platforms, open group chats, and social media, primarily targeting obsessive fans known as “sasaengs.” These individuals often engage in extreme behavior in order to get physically close to their favorite idols.
The leak of such flight information has serious implications. Once in possession of these details, sasaeng fans have been known to book seats on the same flights as idols, ambush them at airports, or attempt to interact with them mid-flight. In some extreme instances, fans have reportedly altered the idols’ meal choices, changed their seat arrangements, or even tried to cancel their bookings entirely. These actions not only jeopardize the safety and comfort of the artists but also pose a risk to other passengers and disrupt airline operations.
BTS’ agency, HYBE, has taken the issue seriously. In 2023, the company established a dedicated task force to combat the persistent flight leaks. This team gathered digital evidence including transaction histories, chat logs, and social media account information linked to the illegal distribution of BTS members’ travel data. With this evidence, HYBE submitted a formal complaint to law enforcement, which played a pivotal role in propelling the investigation forward.
Based on the evidence provided by HYBE, the police launched surveillance on Mr. A’s financial and digital activities. This led to the discovery of a larger network of individuals involved in the leak, including those who managed the illegal transactions and those responsible for broadcasting the information. The investigation revealed how the group profited, what communication platforms they used, and how they strategically targeted sasaeng buyers.
This case has reignited public discourse around the ethics of fan behavior and the responsibilities of companies handling sensitive information. It underscores the real-life dangers of obsessive fan culture and the urgent need for stricter measures to protect celebrities’ privacy. As the investigation moves forward, fans and industry insiders alike are hopeful that these legal actions will deter future violations and bring a sense of safety back to idol travel.