K-Pop Fans Fiercely Debate The Job Of Idol Bodyguards After BOYNEXTDOOR’s Security Sends Fan Flying

They’re divided on whether lines have been crossed.

Because K-Pop idols have massive fan bases who attend their events and sasaengs (stalker fans) who break the rules to overstep boundaries, companies often hire bodyguards as a safety precaution.

Idol bodyguards are unarmed or armed security personnel hired to protect idols from danger and unforeseen threats. To do their job properly, they make sure there’s a safe distance between fans and idols to prevent any dangerous situations. Some bodyguards, like the ones protecting NCT 127, complete this task by communicating with the whole security team to maintain that boundary.

Other bodyguards, like the ones escorting EXO‘s Kai, communicate directly with fans to maintain their distance from idols and stop fights among them that could spiral into dangerous situations.

Sometimes bodyguards are forced to get physical with fans to do their job. This happened with NCT 127 when a fan ran at them. Their bodyguard acted quickly to push them away.

But the bodyguard for BOYNEXTDOOR was called into question by some K-Pop fans for possibly going too far. As a fan stood on the side taking photos of the group, their bodyguard pushed her out of the way so hard that she went flying.

Many fans defended the bodyguard and supported the idea that all idol bodyguards should be trained to react that way. They also pointed out how the fan broke the company’s rules by showing up at the airport and photographing the group, saying she “deserved” the reaction she received.

Other K-Pop fans didn’t see it that way. They expressed shock at how much force the bodyguard used and whether it was appropriate for the situation.

In the end, bodyguards are paid to protect idols by using any methods they deem necessary.