SM Entertainment calls out sasaeng fans for stalking band members

Haechan of boy band NCT [SM ENTERTAINMENT]

SM Entertainment issued a statement on Monday requesting sasaeng fans of boy band NCT immediately stop infringing on the members’ privacy.

Sasaeng is a K-pop slang term referring to hardcore fans who stalk artists.

“Recently, there have been serious violations of NCT members’ privacy,” the statements read.

“Certain people have been waiting at locations related to NCT members’ everyday lives, following their vehicles or getting excessively close to members in places such as inside an airplane in order to take photos, illegally obtain their private information to contact them or spread malignant rumors, causing extreme anguish for the members.”

According to the statement, a sasaeng broke into member Haechan’s home in late November last year. Since Haechan is currently living with his family, the agency stated that the incident left not only Haechan but also his family stunned.

The fan who broke into his house was prosecuted but not punished, according to Haechan’s wishes, but SM Entertainment decided to publicly address the issue in order to heighten awareness on the severity of violating artists’ privacy.

“From now on, we will have a no-tolerance stance on any kind of illegal activities such as home invasions, leaking personal information or stalking,” the agency said, concluding the statement. “We will take stern legal action with all our resources, so please take caution not to be involved in such disgraceful incidents. We will do our best to protect our artists.”

Boy band NCT debuted in 2016 and currently consists of 23 members.

BY HALEY YANG [yang.hyunjoo@joongang.co.kr]