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Security guards for HYBE Labels Japan boy group &TEAM attract criticism for 'causing a disturbance' at the airport

AKP STAFF
Posted by Susan-Han Tuesday, July 11, 2023

The attention-grabbing behavior of the security guards escorting the HYBE Labels Japan boy group &TEAM is attracting criticism from K-Pop fans.

This past weekend, HYBE Labels issued an official statement of apology after it was revealed that security guards had conducted inappropriate "body searches" on fans during &TEAM's fan sign in Korea. 

Now, new footage of the &TEAM members leaving Korea for Japan has once again drawn criticism. 

In one video, security guards dressed in black can be seen roughly shoving away fans in order to make way for the &TEAM members. In another, the &TEAM members are shielded from onlookers by great, black umbrellas while waiting to be checked-in for their flight. Security guards can be heard yelling, "Get out of the way! Just get away! How many times do we have to tell you?"

In yet another video, a security guard in gray shouts, "Do not step out! Do not step out, do you hear me?", while shoving phones away. 

As the recent videos from the airport garnered attention via online communities, many netizens criticized, 

"I'm sorry but did HYBE buy out Gimpo airport or what..."
"Does HYBE think they own the airport? Did they hire some thugs to strut into the airport and cause a disturbance when there are so many civilians just coming and going?"
"What's with the umbrellas indoors?? Isn't that like the biggest nuisance to the ordinary civilians?"
"From what I see, those security guards are the ones causing the biggest disturbance. Yelling at people at the airport like they own the whole place."
"Is somebody pissed about the 'body searches' making headlines from the other day..? They are literally swatting fans away like flies."
"Okay are you Beyoncé or something lol. If you're that famous, just take a private jet, don't trouble civilians using the airport for personal reasons."
"Who is this? Some Japanese boy group? Go back to Japan and never come back."
"The job description for 'HYBE Security Guard' must be 'Thugs who can hit and yell at women'."
"I don't understand why they're being so extra for this nobody Japanese group. You'd think it was NewJeans at the airport."
"Who? Never heard of em before."
  1. &TEAM
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oishi25
oishi2544 pts Tuesday, July 11, 2023 1
Tuesday, July 11, 2023

so i watched the videos and i dont mind security protecting idols from fans who were attacking but some of the force and yelling was so unnecessary and would definitely make others in the airport uncomfortable. I have seen worse situations where it was handled better the crowd wasnt even big it almost feels like a publicity stunt since and team isnt that big in korea yet (speculation ofcourse)

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Violetta123
Violetta12321,539 pts Tuesday, July 11, 2023 13
Tuesday, July 11, 2023

I'm hesitant to condemn security behaviour at the airport unless it's really obvious that excessive force is being used. Fans at the airport often get out of control and won't listen to, or obey directions. I'd prefer to see more footage to see how the crowd was behaving before making a judgement.

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