Sunwoo of The Boyz Suffers Home Invasion and Assault by Sasaeng Fan
Tracking Device Found, Tire Deliberately Damaged
Agency States: "There Will Be No Leniency or Settlement"
It has been revealed that Sunwoo, a member of the group The Boyz, was the victim of trespassing and assault by a sasaeng fan. The term "sasaeng fan" refers to an obsessive fan who follows their favorite singer, actor, model, or idol to an extreme degree. The word combines the Korean words for "private" (sa) and "life" (saeng) with the English word "fan." Sasaeng fans go beyond the boundaries of typical fandom and are recognized as a social problem and a form of stalking. Previously, the late actor Song Jae-rim was also reported to have suffered due to a Japanese sasaeng fan, which became a public issue.
On November 14, The Boyz's agency, IST Entertainment, posted an official statement on the group's fan cafe, saying, "Recently, there have been ongoing incidents that invade our artists' privacy and threaten their safety, so we would like to share our position on the matter." The agency explained, "There have been repeated illegal acts, including unauthorized visits to places related to the artists' private lives such as the company building, shops, and their residences; attending undisclosed schedules; spreading malicious rumors; taking photos and videos by forcefully approaching members at airports, including on airplanes; following their vehicles; and illegally obtaining personal information to attempt contact. As a result, not only the artists themselves but also their families, acquaintances, and people around them have suffered severe psychological and material damage."
The statement continued, "On November 9, after finishing his schedule, member Sunwoo exited the elevator at his residence and was about to enter his apartment when a sasaeng, who had been hiding in the emergency stairwell on that floor, approached him. Feeling threatened, Sunwoo immediately informed our staff, and together they apprehended the intruder and handed them over to the police." The agency added, "During the process of restraining the sasaeng who tried to escape, both Sunwoo and the staff were assaulted multiple times. The individual was arrested on the spot for trespassing and assault and is currently under police investigation. Sunwoo and our staff visited a nearby hospital immediately after the incident for examination and treatment, and we are continuously monitoring their condition and taking necessary measures."
The agency also reported, "Recently, a tracking device was found attached to an artist's vehicle parked in front of our company building, and another vehicle's tire was deliberately damaged by someone else. In both cases, we became aware of the incidents immediately after they occurred, which prevented further harm. We have secured CCTV footage and filed police reports." They emphasized, "Such acts are clear illegal behaviors that cause psychological and material harm to our artists and staff. We are responding with a zero-tolerance policy toward any illegal actions, including privacy violations, and will take firm legal action accordingly." The agency concluded, "As acts infringing on our artists' rights have become excessive, we are constantly collecting evidence and reviewing materials through our legal representatives. We reiterate that there will be no leniency or settlements in this process."
Meanwhile, The Boyz debuted in December 2017 with their first mini-album "THE FIRST." They have continued their activities after releasing their latest album "Fuse" on October 28.
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