K-pop idols like BTS frequently travel for concerts, music shows, and other promotions. To manage their schedules, airlines and travel agencies handle their flight arrangements. However, this sensitive information, which should have been kept private, is often sold to fans at a hefty price.
Recently, an airline employee was arrested for leaking flight information of several K-pop groups, including BTS.
On February 24, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced that an investigation was underway involving an employee of an overseas airline who allegedly accessed and sold the flight ticket information of numerous celebrities. The cyber investigation unit is handling the case.
An investigation has revealed that flight ticket information of numerous celebrities, including BTS, is being sold online for prices ranging from 1,000 won to 20,000 won per piece.
A woman in her 30s, referred to as A, is accused of selling the flight information of dozens of popular celebrities from 2023 to last year. According to reports, A allegedly accessed the information by using a business program and entering the celebrities’ names and dates of birth.
A reportedly sold approximately 1,000 pieces of celebrity flight information and generated a revenue of over 10 million won.
During questioning, A admitted to initially leaking the information at the request of an acquaintance but later continued to sell it for personal gain.
The police investigation is ongoing, with efforts to identify and track down other individuals involved in leaking and selling celebrity flight information.
The leak of personal information of K-pop idols, including BTS, is unfortunately not an isolated incident. In 2023, a Korail employee was found to have accessed and collected BTS member RM’s personal data and travel history over a period of three years.
RM had publicly voiced his concerns about the incident on social media. Moreover, the unauthorized sale of flight details can have serious consequences. In the past, obsessive fans, known as “sasaengs,” have been known to tamper with K-pop idols’ in-flight meals.
In 2019, BTS V took to Weverse to share the reason for flying private, stating, “We actually want to fly on a regular flight. But, when we travel long distance or short distance, fans know beforehand that we will be boarding and sit in front of us, or next to us.” He asked fans to stop tracking them in “those private spaces”.
Another stalker of V was arrested in 2023 for following him into the elevator of his apartment and handing him a marriage certificate.
On the other hand, Jungkook has repeatedly called out sasaengs for invading his privacy. He requested that they not wait for him outside his house and gym and not send him food for delivery.
BTS fans, ARMYs, are relieved that the person responsible for leaking the information has been caught and will face consequences for their actions.
