For Kpop idols, bodyguards seem to be the key force that helps ensure safety and takes care of the idols when they have schedules. There are even many bodyguards who receive warm love and affection from fans for protecting their idols well and having appropriate behavior towards fans.
However, recently controversy over the harsh actions of HYBE's bodyguards towards so-called fans began to arise. In particular, when a video of one of Boys Next Door's bodyguards forcefully pushing a female fan in front of the idols went viral, criticism against HYBE's bodyguards increased.
But fans of HYBE's bands don't seem to think it's a wrong move and even defend these bodyguards against criticism for the real reason behind their actions:
Besides the staff and managers, the bodyguards are the people who follow the idols the most. Meanwhile, HYBE's bodyguards are considered large and have the best ability to protect idols among current entertainment companies. Especially BTS's bodyguards always receive compliments and respect from fans because they always protect the group members well.
However, among HYBE's bodyguards, Boys Next Door's bodyguards have recently received a lot of criticism for their harsh actions. The controversy stemmed from a video showing a bodyguard pushing a female fan standing in front of the group members, causing her to fall backwards.
Immediately when the video was shared on SNS, netizens condemned this act of ṿïöŀệńċệ and even asked HYBE to reconsider their bodyguard force with comments like: "I'm all for body guards doing their job but this was excessive", "he didn’t have to push that hard jesus", "He should apologise for treating fans like that", "The guards of Hybe violently pushed the girl down", "what disgusting bodyguards they were", "The bodyguard is of course the most problematic"...
However, in contrast to netizens criticizing HYBE's bodyguards, fans of the group or other HYBE groups thought it was an appropriate action in that context. Fans believe that bodyguards are responsible for eliminating any suspicious people who approach the idols, even if they claim to be fans. The fact that fans surrounded and approached the group at the airport, causing chaos in public, violate the law and disrespecting their idols, so they do not deserve to be treated kindly.
Many people expressed their support and defended the actions of HYBE's bodyguards with the argument:
- It is not the problem of the boys and the guard. First of all fans should learn to behave properly and give their idols some space. And guards are doing their duty to protect them
- Bro first know the whole situation then make post don't spread misinformation
- the girl f*cking deserves it IJBOL. She don't have right to reach the idols and the guards do it because it is their duty
- Did you saw two of the members falling down from those stupid girls? Disgusting stalkers you deserve every pains
- That was a fckin sasaeng . This is how stalkers should be treated . She better stayed at home . This is airport ... She is not invited . This is how bodyguards should behave with stalkers . It's their job to protect the idols !!!
- i think both parties at fault. she shouldnt have been so closed to begin with, but he didn’t have to push THAT hard. however w the ongoing mobbing, i can see why these bodyguards are just tired of it
- Fans should stop hara̾s̾sing these idols in the airport so stuff like this doesn't happen in the first place.
- BOYNEXTDOOR has been mobbed at the airport a lot by some fansites, media and sasaengs and yet some kpop stans blaming them and the bodyguard just by doing his job like be for real, this literally happened to the boys recently.
- Deserved more bodyguards should do this more often maybe these stalkers will finally stop showing up !
It's not uncommon for fans to see off and welcome famous idol groups every time they go to the airport. Sometimes, the number of fans is too large and order is not maintained, leading to a crowd that threatens the safety of band members. Bodyguards are hired to ensure safety, so they focus on their work and sometimes act aggressively. But it cannot be denied that they need to do so to prevent crowds like hungry tigers waiting to pounce on idols.
This is not the first time HYBE's bodyguards have been criticized for their "fierce" actions when protecting idols. Previously, a bodyguard protecting V on his way back from the airport received a lot of negative comments when he tried to prevent a woman from approaching him. Another time when fans jostled and pushed to touch the group members, BTS's bodyguards also had to push them away to create a path for the members.
In the past, many bodyguards of NCT Dream or Wanna One also fell under similar accusations. However, when considering the context in which fans are too enthusiastic to chase or affect the idol's safety and disrupt airport order, the actions of the bodyguards are necessary and up to the task. If fans did not gather ilℓєgαℓly, there would be no need for the bodyguards to behave so harshly!
