Since the Controversy Over Byeon Woo-seok's 'Emperor Escort' Last August
Incheon Airport Implements 'Celebrity-Only Entrance'
"Minimizing Situations That Could Cause Crowd Gatherings"
"Excessive Privilege" vs "Necessary for Safety"
Photos that sparked controversy over actor Byun Woo-seok's 'excessive security.' [Photo source=Captured from X (formerly Twitter)]
Incheon International Airport Corporation plans to implement a 'Celebrity-Only Entrance' to allow celebrities to use a dedicated entrance when entering or leaving the country. This move appears to be in response to the controversy surrounding actor Byeon Woo-seok's 'emperor-style security' incident that arose last August.
Recently, Incheon International Airport Corporation reportedly sent official letters to various entertainment agencies requesting that celebrities use the dedicated entrance when departing. The letter stated, "To minimize situations that may cause crowding, a new procedure will be established to allow celebrities and other famous individuals to use a dedicated entrance at Incheon Airport's departure hall, effective from October 28, 2024." Agencies must submit an application letter if their celebrities wish to use the dedicated entrance.
The letter also explained the background of the implementation: "As the global popularity of domestic artists has increased, cases of crowds gathering inside the airport, including fans, during artists' entry and exit have become frequent, and the scale of these gatherings has grown. This raises concerns about inconvenience to general passengers using Incheon Airport and potential safety risks."
Previously, actor Byeon Woo-seok was embroiled in a controversy over 'emperor-style security' when it was revealed that security personnel at Incheon Airport flashed lights at other passengers and controlled the airport gate during his departure last August. The police judged that during the security process, the head of the security company, Mr. A, and security guard Mr. B violated the Security Services Act by flashing lights at other passengers and inspecting boarding passes. Both were booked without detention and sent to the police.
Mixed Reactions from Netizens on the Implementation of the 'Celebrity-Only Entrance': "Excessive Privilege" vs. "Necessary for Safety"
Netizens' reactions to the news of the 'Celebrity-Only Entrance' implementation were divided. Some criticized it as giving excessive benefits to celebrities. They expressed critical opinions such as, "They will become even more privileged," "Who do these celebrities think they are," "Just like the new aristocrats," and "I would accept it if they paid to use it." On the other hand, some welcomed the measure, saying it would reduce the risk of safety incidents occurring during celebrities' entry and exit. They commented, "Last month, I almost got crushed while departing with a certain celebrity," "Fans and reporters gather in huge numbers, so this is obviously necessary," "The airport will be less crowded from now on," and "This should have been implemented earlier."
Meanwhile, Incheon International Airport Corporation recently held a meeting with key figures from the domestic major management industry, urging them to avoid excessive security measures that cause inconvenience to general passengers. To prepare for situations where a large number of people gather excessively inside the airport terminal due to prior knowledge of celebrity arrivals and departures, they requested that celebrities minimize their time spent in the terminal and share information on the deployment status of personnel assigned for celebrity security with Incheon International Airport Corporation and the Incheon International Airport Police Agency to maintain stable order.
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