The Ongoing Struggles of K-Pop Idols with Stalking Issues: Highlight and Kim Jaejoong Speak Out

Despite the passage of time and changing eras, K-Pop idols continue to face serious issues with stalking and invasion of privacy. Efforts by artists and their agencies to combat these invasive behaviors have not significantly reduced the prevalence of such crimes targeting idols.

On November 26, Around Us Entertainment, the agency representing Highlight, announced plans to take legal action against ongoing privacy violations. The agency stated, "There have been continuous incidents where individuals unlawfully visit locations related to the daily lives of Highlight members, wait for them, and take unauthorized photos while following their running routes. These actions infringe upon the artists' privacy and threaten their safety, and the number of such violations is increasing."

They further emphasized that unauthorized visits to locations not officially disclosed in schedules, as well as attempts to contact the artists inappropriately, are illegal acts that can cause both mental and material harm not only to the artists but also to those unrelated to them. The agency warned that if these behaviors persist, they will take clear legal measures against the offenders.

Kim Jaejoong, who debuted in the K-Pop scene in 2003, has been a long-time victim of stalking. His experiences are so well-known that even non-fans are familiar with his stories of harassment. Recently, he publicly denounced a stalker taxi on social media and included a song titled "하지마" (Don't Do That) on his 20th-anniversary album, 'FLOWER GARDEN,' which addresses the issue of stalking, garnering support from fans.

In a July appearance on MBC's 'Midnight Ghost Stories,' Kim Jaejoong claimed he might be the most harassed person by stalker fans in South Korea. He recounted a particularly alarming incident where a stalker fan came to his apartment and attempted to use the fingerprint lock, despite it being obvious that it wouldn't work. When he confronted the stalker, they admitted they wanted to feel his fingerprint.

He also revealed a shocking incident where he was kissed by a stalker while he was asleep. "I thought it was a dream at first, but I could feel the sensation. When I opened my eyes, I found a stalker fan on top of me. I thought it was a dream and tried to go back to sleep, but when I opened my eyes again, I was already being kissed," he shared, leaving many in disbelief.

In September, Baekhyun appeared on the YouTube channel 'Neighborhood Star K' and shared his own experiences with stalkers, stating, "I used to talk to them on the phone and even tried to catch them. I received many strange calls that drove me crazy. I told them to get a grip and wash their faces."

When asked how far these stalkers would go, he recounted a time when he moved to a new place thinking it was secure, only to find that stalkers had breached that security. He described a situation where he caught one stalker and asked how they found him, only to see friends emerging from between parked cars like a scene from 'Avengers Assemble.'

Additionally, aespa members Karina and Giselle were caught off guard during a live broadcast when they received a call from a stalker. Giselle reacted with annoyance, asking, "Who are you? What do you want?" and both warned the caller, "Don't do that." Karina added, "It was an international call," raising her fist and saying, "Don't do that," while Giselle reiterated, "That's not cool."

ENHYPEN also faced a serious breach of privacy when a stalker illegally obtained their flight information, leading to unauthorized seat assignments and preventing any changes to their bookings.

While agencies are pursuing legal action against these stalking incidents, actual punishments remain difficult to enforce. Kim Jaejoong expressed on 'Today's Joo Woo-jae' that enduring a year of stalking can be excruciating, stating, "The punishment for stalkers is only a fine of 1.5 to 3 million won. The scariest part is that even if they serve their sentence, it’s still a problem. The fear of retaliation forces victims to leave their neighborhoods."

Despite these challenges, idol groups are determined to fight against stalking, and the effectiveness of their legal actions in reducing these incidents remains to be seen.