Trio sent to prosecutors in S. Korea for illegally selling BTS' flight information
The Korean entertainment industry has repeatedly raised concerns about the leaking of celebrities' flight details.
SEOUL - Three people, including an employee at a foreign airline, were referred to the prosecution in South Korea for illegally obtaining and selling the flight information of celebrities, including K-pop group BTS, industry sources said on July 22.
The foreign airline employee is suspected of illegally obtaining the flight information of BTS members and other major celebrities and handing it over to accomplices, who then sold it through direct messages or open chat rooms on social media platforms.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's cyber investigation unit, which has been handling the case, reportedly secured evidence showing how the employee illegally accessed internal airline information and engaged in financial transactions with the accomplices. Although the exact amount was not disclosed, the employee allegedly received tens of millions of won in return.
Hybe, the South Korean entertainment company behind BTS, Seventeen and Enhypen, was found to have played a key role in advancing the investigation. The company set up a task force in 2023 to address the leak of its artistes' flight information.
Through continuous monitoring, the team identified multiple social media accounts involved in the illegal trade of such data and submitted evidence to the police. This ultimately led to the arrest of the airline employee in February, followed by two additional suspects in March.
The Korean entertainment industry has repeatedly raised concerns about the continued leaking of celebrities' flight booking details, often exploited by
so-called 'sasaeng' fans, a Korean term for overzealous followers, who purchase the information to board the same flights as celebrities .
Some even go as far as changing in-flight meal options or trying direct contact mid-flight. There have been extreme cases where fans cancelled their favourite stars' bookings or changed seat assignments.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22
Singapore Miscalculation of MOH subsidies and grants led to $7m in overpayments, $2m in shortfalls
Singapore Changi Airport handles 17.5 million passengers in Q2 2025
Singapore 2 charged over alleged role in posting bail for man who later absconded
Singapore Teen charged after allegedly selling vaporisers, advertising e-cigarettes on WhatsApp
Life Having a workout partner could be the secret to sticking to your fitness goals
Singapore 2,500 turtles seized in India and sent back to S'pore, put down humanely after salmonella detected
Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving
'The recent case makes it clear that leaking and selling personal information is a criminal offence. We expect (the case) to serve as a strong deterrent against similar crimes in the future,' an industry insider said.
Hybe stated that it will continue to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation and upcoming legal proceedings.
'We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards crimes that commercialise and traffic in artistes' personal information. There will be no compromise or leniency. Everyone involved will be held fully accountable,' the company said. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
3 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Five teens arrested for threatening boy with knife, 2 charged with causing hurt
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Those found guilty of possessing a scheduled weapon may be jailed for up to five years and could receive at least six strokes of the cane. SINGAPORE - Five t eenaged boys between ages 12 and 15 who were involved in a bullying incident in which one boy had a knife held to his throat were arrested on July 10 for suspected rioting offences. In response to queries from The Straits Times, the police said two of the teens, aged 13 and 15, were charged with causing hurt on July 16. The 15-year-old was also charged with carrying an offensive weapon in a public place. In a video posted on social media platform Xiaohongshu on July 23, a boy seems to be holding a knife to a smaller-sized boy's throat. The incident occurred on July 6, said the police. The knife appears to be a butterfly knife, which is a type of weapon considered more dangerous and therefore, subject to stricter rules. Other weapons that fall under the same category include knuckle dusters, flick knives and the claw-shaped karambit knives. After pressing the knife to the victim's throat, the teen asks him to tell the truth. When the victim assures him that he is not lying, the teen slaps him forcefully on the face. The victim is then offered two choices as punishment, although it is unclear what were the circumstances that led to the situation. The assailant and another boy - who is off-camera - can be heard giving him the option between getting punched in the stomach five times or 'angkat naked'. The victim opts for the second choice and starts taking off his clothes before the video ends. Those found guilty of possessing a scheduled weapon may be jailed for up to five years and could receive at least six strokes of the cane. Police investigations involving the other three teenagers are ongoing.
Straits Times
3 minutes ago
- Straits Times
New York man charged over explosives on subway tracks, rooftops
Find out what's new on ST website and app. A 55-year-old man is alleged to have stored IEDs on apartment building rooftops in Manhattan's SoHo neighbourhood. NEW YORK – A New York man has been charged with making improvised explosive devices and throwing one onto subway tracks in New York City, US authorities said on July 22. Michael Gann, 55, allegedly manufactured at least seven explosive devices using chemicals ordered online and stored five devices and shotgun shells on apartment building rooftops in Manhattan's SoHo neighbourhood, according to the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. The authorities said Gann threw one IED onto subway tracks on the Williamsburg Bridge and was arrested with a seventh device on his person early in June. 'As alleged, Michael Gann built explosive devices, stored them on a rooftop in SoHo, and threw one onto the subway tracks, putting countless lives at risk,' said US Attorney Jay Clayton. 'Thanks to swift work by our law enforcement partners, no one was harmed.' According to prosecutors, Gann ordered approximately two pounds of potassium perchlorate and one pound of aluminium powder – precursor chemicals to explosives – online in May, along with over 200 cardboard tubes and 50 feet of fuses. One of the devices placed on the roof of a SoHo building 'contained approximately 30 grams of explosive powder, approximately 600 times the legal limit for consumer fireworks', the attorney's office said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore's domestic recycling rate drops to all-time low of 11% Singapore Sota parent portal taken down for urgent patching following global cyberattack alerts Singapore HDB launches 10,209 BTO and balance flats, as priority scheme for singles kicks in Singapore Local buyers are key to recovery of prime district condo market Singapore New online channel for public to report illegal ride-hailing services Singapore Ex-Tanjong Pagar United footballer charged with assault after Singapore Premier League match in Feb Singapore COE prices for cars mostly unchanged; premium for commercial vehicles up 2.9% Singapore Cyclist charged after allegedly hitting elderly pedestrian, killing him On or about June 5, just hours before his arrest while carrying an IED, he posted to Instagram: 'Who wants me to go out to play like no tomorrow?' Before making the IEDs, prosecutors said, Gann posted a message on X on March 27 tagging the Potus account, the official handle for the president of the United States. He wrote: 'I'm thinking just now here in NYC that it's too bad that the wall wasn't built before the National Guard would have to come here for the Protests and Riotation or would you just drop a bomb on this place while and because they seem to be coming and coming?' Between May and June 2025, Gann also searched online for information on bomb-making, firearms, and 3D-printed guns, as well as background checks for firearm purchases, according to the indictment. Gann, a resident of New York City's Inwood neighbourhood, faces charges of attempted destruction of property by explosives, transportation of explosive materials and unlawful possession of destructive devices. The most serious charge carries a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and maximum of 20 years. NYTIMES
Straits Times
3 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Japan vows to pursue anti-whaling activist Paul Watson despite Interpol decision
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Interpol has lifted its red wanted notice against anti-whaling activist Paul Watson. TOKYO - Japan reacted angrily on July 23 after Interpol lifted its red wanted notice against anti-whaling activist Paul Watson, insisting its own arrest warrant remains valid. Interpol had issued the notice against Mr Watson, known for radical tactics including confrontations with whaling ships at sea, at the request of Japan. But 'Interpol has officially and permanently dismissed the Red Notice against me', Mr Watson said in a statement on July 22, calling the move an end to the Japanese whalers' 'vendetta'. Interpol confirmed to AFP that it had deleted the red notice, which asks police worldwide to arrest a suspect. Tokyo called the decision 'extremely regrettable', with top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi saying it would not deter Japan. 'The removal doesn't change the fact that Japan's arrest warrant for him is valid,' Mr Hayashi told a regular news briefing. 'Our position remains unchanged that we will continue to call on the parties involved for his extradition,' he said. Mr Watson, a 74-year-old Canadian-American, was arrested and detained in Greenland in July 2024 on a 2012 Japanese warrant, which accused him of causing damage to a whaling ship and injuring a whaler. He was released in December after Denmark refused the Japanese extradition request over the 2010 clash with whalers. On Dec 20, Mr Watson returned to France, where his children attend school, following a high-profile campaign in his support. AFP
