K-Pop group CORTIS has once again found itself at the center of a distressing privacy violation, fueling widespread concerns across the industry. The incident involves the arrest of two Chinese nationals who allegedly trespassed into the group’s dormitory, highlighting the increasingly brazen and organized nature of sasaeng stalking targeting K-pop artists.
According to the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul, on July 24, two Chinese women were booked on charges of trespassing. They reportedly entered CORTIS’ dormitory building around 2 a.m. on July 23. The alarm was raised by the group’s manager, who discovered damaged parcels outside the entrance and found the dormitory door ajar. Police, arriving swiftly at the scene, located and arrested the two women hiding on another floor of the building.
During police questioning, the suspects reportedly admitted to purchasing the dormitory address through social media. However, they denied any involvement in damaging the parcels or entering the private living quarters of the CORTIS members.
A Disturbing Pattern of Privacy Invasion
This latest incident is unfortunately not an isolated event for CORTIS. The group has been subjected to repeated alleged privacy violations. Their agency had previously issued stern warnings, revealing that some sasaengs had not only trespassed into the members’ residence but had even attached GPS tracking devices to their vehicles. The agency vowed to pursue legal action against such perpetrators without leniency.
The fact that the suspects reportedly purchased the dormitory address online further intensifies concerns about the illegal trading of artists’ personal information. This points to a more sophisticated and organized network behind these privacy invasions, raising questions over the sources and distribution of sensitive data.
Widespread Industry Concerns and Calls for Action
CORTIS is far from the only K-Pop act to endure such traumatic incidents. Last year, the industry was shocked when a Chinese woman was arrested for allegedly attempting to enter BTS member Jung Kook’s home, repeatedly trying to input his door passcode shortly after his mandatory military service concluded. HYBE, the agency managing BTS and ENHYPEN, has also frequently announced legal action against various privacy violations targeting its artists, citing cases that include dormitory intrusions, illegal filming, and the unauthorized distribution of personal information.
The recurring nature of these incidents underscores a critical shift: sasaeng behavior has undeniably evolved beyond mere obsessive fan behavior. It has transformed into organized stalking, often facilitated by illegal networks. Personal details such as home addresses, flight itineraries, and vehicle information are reportedly bought and sold on online platforms and messaging services. This alarming trend has prompted urgent calls for stronger enforcement of anti-stalking laws and thorough investigations into the sources of leaked personal information and the illegal trading networks that profit from them.
