SEOUL, South Korea — K-pop giant SM Entertainment is under fire following allegations that a bodyguard used excessive force on a female fan during an incident at Incheon International Airport involving girl group Hearts2Hearts.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday, went viral after a video showed a security guard shoving and elbowing a fan during the group’s airport transfer. The footage sparked widespread outrage online, with many criticizing what appeared to be overly aggressive behavior.
SM Entertainment defended its staff, stating the security team was responding to a sasaeng fan—an obsessive follower known for violating celebrities’ privacy—who repeatedly attempted to make contact with group members despite verbal warnings.
However, the woman involved rejected the label, posting her account and photos of bruises on her arm to social media platform X on Wednesday. “I’m 20 years old. I admit I made a mistake, but does that justify treating me like a violent criminal?” she wrote.
She also stated that legal and medical professionals had encouraged her to pursue charges, but she declined out of concern for the artists. “I’m not pressing charges, not because the guard acted in self-defense, but because I don’t want the artist [Hearts2Hearts] to suffer,” she said.
The fan added that she was diagnosed with cervical and lumbar sprains and a right upper arm sprain, with doctors prescribing four weeks of recovery. Despite this, she maintained she would not take legal action. “I won’t be suing, so the bodyguard won’t have to worry about making up a false story,” she said.
In response to SM’s official statement, the woman accused the agency of spreading misinformation. “How can they post things that aren’t true?” she wrote, clarifying that while her shoulder had bumped into one of the members, she was then forcefully restrained. “Does that justify treating someone like an animal?”
SM Entertainment later issued a follow-up statement during a segment on JTBC’s Case Chief, acknowledging the situation may have been handled too aggressively. “We recognize that the response may have been excessive, and we have strongly demanded the security firm and the guard take accountability and ensure such incidents do not recur,” the company said.
Public reaction remains sharply divided, with some fans defending the group’s need for protection, while others have criticized the agency’s handling of the situation and called for more respectful treatment of fans in public spaces.
Sayart / Joy nunimbos@gmail.com
