[Photograph by Yoo Dae-gil = dbeorlf123@ajunews.com]
SEOUL -- Nayeon, a member of South Korea's popular K-pop band TWICE member, is under police protection due to discomfort and anxiety caused by stalking that erupted on January 1 on a flight back from Japan. The stalker's identity was not disclosed, but JYP Entertainment vowed to take "the highest level of all legal measures."
An overseas stalker had tried to gain continuous access to Nayeon, 24, who is one of TWICE's lead vocalists and often takes the position of "center" during dances. She was voted the fifth most popular Korean idol in Gallup Korea's annual music poll in 2019.
There was no direct damage, but Nayeon is now under police protection because she expressed a lot of discomfort and anxiety, JYP said, adding that the stalker ignored repeated warnings, raised his voice and tried to clash with JYP personnel. "We will immediately take the highest level of all legal measures," the agency said in a statement.
"We are also aware of the fact that the artist’s flight information was sold and circulated illegally," JYP said, calling for measures to stop such a practice. In early December, JYP admitted that a male YouTube user uploaded a set of video content in October, asking about the location of the girl band's dormitory in Seoul. The agency has warned of legal measures to thwart possible accidents or threats by any stalker.
K-pop bands have sometimes fallen into trouble at airports and other public places due to overly enthusiastic fans. In June, SM Entertainment urged fans to stop violating the privacy of artists after Chanyeol, an EXO member, filed complaints with police against two fanatic Chinese fans who tried to break into his studio apartment in Seoul in April. Taeyon, a Girls' Generation member, has complained in an Instagram post that she was suffering from depression due to intrusive fans who have repeatedly called her at night.
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