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In South Korea, sasaeng fans who stalk or invade idols’ privacy can now face serious punishment!
Since the Anti-Stalking Act came into effect in October 2021, anyone caught stalking can be jailed for up to three years or fined up to 30 million KRW (around £18,000).
If they’re carrying a weapon, the punishment goes up to five years in prison or a fine of 50 million KRW (around £30,000).
What Counts as Stalking?
It’s not just about following idols around.
Waiting outside their house, office, or school? Stalking.
Sending them endless messages, calls, or letters they never asked for? Stalking.
Even sneaking into private places without permission could land you three years in jail or a 5 million KRW fine (£3,000).
Real-Life Cases of Sasaeng Fans Getting Busted
Jung Eunji (Apink) - A woman in her 50s stalked Eunji for years, sending her 544 creepy messages and even chasing her on a motorbike.
In 2021, she got caught waiting outside Eunji’s apartment and was sentenced to a one-year suspended prison term, fined 100,000 KRW (£60), and ordered to attend 40 hours of anti-stalking classes.
EXO & NCT - Some sasaengs pretended to be delivery workers just to steal private info about EXO and NCT members.
They got busted under the Information and Communications Network Act and fined a whopping 300 million KRW (£180,000) each.
Rain & Kim Tae Hee - A woman in her 40s harassed this celeb couple by ringing their doorbell 14 times over several months.
Even after police warnings, she wouldn’t stop.
She eventually got six months in prison and had to take 40 hours of anti-stalking classes.
Is the Law Really Enough?
Even with the Anti-Stalking Act, it’s still hard to punish sasaeng fans unless their behaviour is clearly threatening.
Just waiting at the airport or following an idol for photos doesn’t always count as a crime.
Online harassment, like making fake accounts to spread rumours or selling flight details, is still a legal grey area.
Agencies Are Still Hesitant
Some entertainment companies are reluctant to press charges against sasaengs because they fear backlash from fans.
And even when stalkers do get caught, many just receive fines or suspended sentences—not exactly enough to scare them off.
Does this only apply in South Korea?
With the rise of sasaeng fans, a special Korean's anti-stalking law has been enforced. In Japan, however, idols can rely on existing national laws. Some J-Pop idol groups have implemented stricter protection measures and issued warnings to sasaeng fans, threatening legal action.
An industry insider said, "Protecting idols' privacy isn’t just about them—it’s crucial for keeping the entertainment industry healthy. We need stricter laws and better public awareness to stop obsessive fan culture from getting worse.