Popular South Korean actor and Model Byeon Woo Seok’s security team recently faced a major backlash and criticism for what has been described as “excessive security measures” at Incheon International Airport. Photos and video of the incident were reportedly shared on Korean social media apps and quickly went viral online. According to Soompi, on July 12, Byeon Woo Seok left from Incheon International Airport for his upcoming fan meet amid tight security. In a video allegedly capturing the situation on-site, Byeon Woo Seok’s security guard seems to be using bright flashlights on people standing nearby and even blocking others’ passage despite no apparent threats like people rushing towards him or disturbing him.
Following this, online communities expressed dissatisfaction with the level and kind of security provided for the artists at the airport. Shortly after the widespread criticism, Byeon Woo Seok’s agency VARO Entertainment had to issue an official apology. The team also spoke of taking some corrective actions.
The apology statement from the actor’s security team read, “Hello, This is VARO Entertainment. We deeply apologise for any inconvenience caused to airport users due to security measures when our artist departed from Incheon International Airport on July 12. Upon learning that a security guard used a flashlight toward airport users, we immediately instructed him to cease this action.”
“While we were not fully aware of the specific security situation at the gate, airline ticketing, and on-site security, we take full moral responsibility for any discomfort experienced during the security process. We sincerely apologise to those who were inconvenienced. Moving forward, we will conduct more thorough checks and exercise greater caution to prevent similar inconveniences to airport users and the public. We apologise once again for any concern caused,” the statement further read, as reported by Soompi.
In response to the ongoing online criticism, the head of the security company also admitted the fault and issued a public apology. “We deeply apologise for causing discomfort to the public. We will conduct thorough retraining of our security personnel to ensure such an incident does not recur,” he said in an interview with News1.
Byeon, the actor popular for his lead role in the tvN series Lovely Runner, was departing for Hong Kong for the 2024 Asia Fan Meeting Tour – Summer Letter, when the incident occurred last week, on Friday.
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