The group Hearts2Hearts has once again been embroiled in controversy over 'excessive security'. Despite explanations that the actions were taken to prevent persistent contact attempts from obsessive fans, opinions continue to arise that violence is never justified, and the situation has escalated further with the emergence of a victim.
The controversy began when a video showing Hearts2Hearts using a shuttle train at Incheon International Airport to depart for China was shared on social media. In the footage, a woman holding what is referred to as a 'long-range camera' collides with a member of Hearts2Hearts, prompting a security guard to forcefully push her neck and strike her face with his elbow while shouting.
Many viewers were outraged by the violent behavior of the security guard, deeming it 'assault rather than security', which quickly led to the 'excessive security' controversy. Shortly after, another video from a different angle was released, showing the victim excessively approaching the members and continuously pushing them, leading to the argument that the incident occurred as a result of the security guard trying to intervene.
Nevertheless, the debate over whether it was assault or necessary security continues, and on the 10th, JTBC's 'Incident Report' addressed the controversy and discussed the situation at the time.
The program aired footage of the security guard pushing the woman's neck and striking her face with his elbow, along with verbal warnings of "Don't come near" and the ensuing altercation as the woman pushed the members, with the guard exclaiming, "Are you crazy? What are you doing?" and "Why are you hitting the members?" During this exchange, the guard not only pushed the woman away with his elbow but also prevented her from boarding the train with the members. Despite the guard's intervention, the woman insisted, "I have to go too" and "I have a boarding pass," and although the video ended there, it is reported that the two continued to argue inside the airport shuttle train.
As the controversy showed no signs of subsiding, the agency SM Entertainment (hereafter SM) also provided a statement through 'Incident Report'. SM explained, "At the departure site of our artist, so-called 'obsessive fans' continuously pushed the members and attempted physical contact from the entrance of the airport. In the process of the security guard trying to intervene, physical force was momentarily applied," while acknowledging the criticism of excessive violence, stating, "We have lodged complaints with the security company and the guard regarding the excessive response. We apologize for the concern caused and will strive to maintain order during artist movements in public places."
In response, the victim stepped forward. On the 11th, individual A posted a photo of her bruised self on her social media account, expressing her outrage, "I may have done something wrong, but honestly, is it not a guilty conscience to respond like that to a twenty-year-old woman as if she were a murderer being arrested?"
A stated, "It's not that the security guard acted in self-defense; even lawyers, doctors, and the investigating officer told me to file a complaint, but I just didn't want the artist to be criticized," adding, "To the security guard from XX agency, since I decided not to file a complaint, you don't need to make up false statements to convey your position. You did well. I have a cervical sprain, lumbar sprain, right upper arm sprain and contusion, and head sprain and contusion, with a diagnosis of four weeks of treatment, but I'm okay."
Regarding the label of 'obsessive fan', A strongly criticized, "Is it acceptable to post an official statement that will be reported in the news with such unfounded content? I fully acknowledge that I was wrong for colliding with the member due to overlapping paths, and I want to apologize to the member even if it means kneeling. But is it acceptable to subdue someone as if they were an animal just because they bumped shoulders?"
This is not the first time Hearts2Hearts has faced controversy at the airport. In March, while departing through Gimpo International Airport, a commotion occurred when fans and security guards got entangled, causing chaos. At that time, a video of a passenger expressing frustration went viral, placing the group at the center of the controversy.
As similar controversies continue, there are growing calls for fundamental solutions within the agency.
[Geum Bit-na, MK Sports Reporter]
