BTS Flight Info Scandal: Airline Employee Arrested for Selling Celebrity Travel Data

Three individuals, including an employee of a foreign airline, have been referred to prosecutors for illegally obtaining and selling flight information of celebrities, including members of the K-pop group BTS, industry sources reported on Tuesday.

The airline employee is suspected of unlawfully accessing flight details of BTS members and other high-profile celebrities, then handing this information to accomplices who sold it via direct messages and open chat rooms across various social media platforms.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s cyber investigation unit, which has been handling the case, reportedly uncovered evidence detailing how the employee illicitly accessed internal airline information and conducted financial transactions with the accomplices. Although the exact amount remains undisclosed, sources indicate that the employee received payments in the tens of millions of KRW (tens of thousands of USD).

Hybe, the entertainment powerhouse behind BTS, Seventeen, and Enhypen, played a pivotal role in advancing the investigation. The company established a dedicated task force in 2023 to address the ongoing issue of leaked flight information concerning its artists.

Through persistent monitoring, the team identified multiple social media accounts involved in the illegal trade of such sensitive data and provided relevant evidence to law enforcement. These efforts culminated in the arrest of the airline employee in February, followed by two additional suspects in March.

The South Korean entertainment industry has long voiced concerns about the recurring leaks of celebrities’ flight booking details. This information is frequently exploited by overzealous fans, known as “sasaeng,” who use it to secure seats on the same flights as their favorite stars.

Some of these fans have taken extreme measures, such as altering in-flight meal options or attempting to contact celebrities directly during flights. In more severe cases, they have even canceled their idols’ bookings or changed their seat assignments.

“This recent case clearly demonstrates that leaking and selling personal information is a criminal offense,” an industry insider stated. “We anticipate that this case will serve as a strong deterrent against similar crimes in the future.”

Hybe has affirmed its commitment to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.

“We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards crimes that commercialize and traffic in our artists’ personal information,” the company declared. “There will be no compromise or leniency. All parties involved will be held fully accountable for their actions.”