ENHYPEN member Sunghoon experienced a chaotic scene at Incheon International Airport on Sunday, January 11, 2026. The 23-year-old K-pop star returned to Korea after completing a personal schedule in Shanghai.
He faced a frightening situation at the airport after returning from his first solo fan meeting, HOONINSA, in Shanghai. As MUSINSA’s ambassador, he danced and shared style tips with 210 fans during the event.
His arrival videos show him rushing through elevators and hallways, nearly breaking into a run, as people chased him. Fans called the pursuers sasaengs and criticized BELIFTLAB for insufficient security. Hashtags like #BELIFTLABPROTECTSUNGHOON trended worldwide.
Fans demanded bodyguards for all of his schedules due to ongoing concerns about K-pop idols being mobbed. The agency has not commented as of January 12.
Footage circulating online shows a small group of fans running after him. It created crowded and unsafe conditions that disrupted both Sunghoon and regular travelers. The crowding became especially intense near an elevator, where fans jostled and pushed to get close to him. Only a female staff member accompanied him, and there was no visible security to control the situation.
This led to backlash from ENGENEs (ENHYPEN fans) who warned that the incident could have been dangerous. They demanded that BELIFT LAB provide better security to the boys since this is not an isolated incident.
This was not the first time that ENHYPEN has faced chaotic airport situations. In September last year, the group faced one of their worst mobs at an Italian airport while attending a fashion show, described as “disgusting” and “horrific.” Members were visibly upset, with older members forming a protective circle around the youngest. A similar chaotic situation occurred during a layover in Frankfurt, Germany.
In December 2024, at the start of their world tour, a large crowd of fans surrounded ENHYPEN at Incheon Airport. Even earlier, before 2024, an incident at Gimpo International Airport involved fans pushing aggressively and causing safety lines to collapse. These repeated incidents have taken a psychological toll on the members, leaving them visibly distressed, anxious, and exhausted.
In response to prior incidents, Incheon International Airport announced measures to congestion and safety risks for celebrity arrivals and departures. These measures require artists and agencies to submit an “airport use plan” in advance and follow strict safety guidelines.
Despite these efforts, repeated mobs involving ENHYPEN and other K-pop stars indicate that the measures are not always enforced effectively.
On the work front, ENHYPEN recently attended the Golden Disc Awards 2026 in Taiwan and won Best Album Bonsang. The 7-member group now prepares to release their album, The Sin : Vanish, out this Friday.
