ATEEZ’s Members Got Harassed At The Airport, And ATINYs Are Demanding Change
Recently, the members of ATEEZ took a trip to Jeju Island, traveling by plane in order to get there. Though the reason for their visit has yet to be explained, there’s no doubt that the group has seen a recent (and well-deserved) increase in their popularity in South Korea, likely due mostly to their participation on Kingdom and some of the members acting in the K-Drama Imitation.
However, with newfound fame there often comes consequences, and it seems that ATEEZ has reached the point where they might need to take greater measures to ensure their safety.
As some of the members arrived back in Seoul, most of them were only accompanied by a manager and, seemingly, one or two bodyguards.
They were pushing the people too close to the members… So I think they are bodyguards?? pic.twitter.com/lVdBDWVy46
— KINGDOMteez💜sYou💤MINGI BACK⬤ theories – REBIRTH⬤ (@syou_atz) May 18, 2021
Unexpectedly, many of the members started getting swarmed by people when they arrived, some of whom got extremely close to ATEEZ with their phones. The members, visibly and understandably uncomfortable, could do little to stop it.
this is unacceptable. learn how to respect your idol’s space. this is not good for them, neither for anyone who was mobbing them. respect them! pic.twitter.com/EvE2SMTu95
— yunho pics (@yunhosarchive) May 18, 2021
what the fuck pic.twitter.com/5RuyogDuNS
— san pics (@sansgallery) May 18, 2021
This sort of behavior is bad enough during normal times, but right now during the middle of a still-ongoing pandemic, these “fans” are putting the members of ATEEZ at risk by crowding around them so closely.
ateez got mobbed ??? pic.twitter.com/ggy96gdVoo
— ale ☻ (@yuyuplnet) May 18, 2021
This manager….he was there with all of the member’s protecting them:(((( pic.twitter.com/NgfjBDTrOc
— yunho is sleeping 💤 (@hongsbabygirl) May 18, 2021
ATINYs have become vocal on social media about the dangerous situation, and are asking for KQ Entertainment to provide better security for the members to prevent this sort of thing from happening again.
me at the airport protecting ateez pic.twitter.com/kCknfE9G6N
— faye (slow) 💤 (@yeosangmon) May 18, 2021
Can KQ do this? I’m so tired seeing ateez being mobbed at the airport pic.twitter.com/tmj5Ri4e7F
— ℓєιgн (@cassiebabyleigh) May 18, 2021
ATEEZ ARE GETTING BIG IN SK AND I WANT THAT. BUT IF THESE PPL WON’T RESPECT THEIR SPACE THEN THEY BETTER JUST LEAVE THE FANDOM. WE DON’T NEED DISRESPECTFUL ATINYS.
— lei (@PR0DBYCHOI) May 18, 2021
One bit of positive news is that, fortunately, Mingi (who is still, as far as we know, on hiatus) arrived back in Seoul on his own before the rest of the members, so he managed to avoid the chaos.
OH MY GOD FIRST VIDEO OF MINGI IN 2021😭😭pic.twitter.com/uLkIvG7cke
— KINGDOMteez💜sYou💤MINGI BACK⬤ theories – REBIRTH⬤ (@syou_atz) May 16, 2021
really thankful mg didnt joined the same flight with ateez members 😭😭😭😭😤😭😭😭😭 bc look at this mess 😭😭😭😭😤😤 pic.twitter.com/wUgq8O2U6T
— 💫 (@oosanhwa) May 18, 2021
Thankfully as well, not all fans have been behaving in this manner, with some still showing the proper kind of respect that ATEEZ (and all K-Pop idols) deserve.
i just think that only atz fanboy-fansites really deserved all rights today pic.twitter.com/B1LBvw2Lek
— kate ♡ yunho! (@yunhogizer) May 18, 2021
It’s totally unnecessary to invade an idol’s personal space in order to get their attention, and in fact, you’re much more likely to have a positive experience by treating them properly!
to the people at airport for Ateez LEARN L E A R N respecting them and giving them space will make them even interact with you more. pic.twitter.com/pqZnrNJwXX
— 성화’s wendy ☽ ALINA DAY (@SATURNHWA) May 18, 2021
Hopefully KQ Entertainment will be able to provide better protection for ATEEZ soon, so that this doesn’t happen again. We hope that all of the members are healthy and safe after this incident.
