'Credit where it's due': ARMY applauds HYBE's efforts to track BTS flight info leaker by forming task force

In February, the agency of the globally renowned group BTS — HYBE and BigHit — along with the South Korean police, booked an employee of a foreign airline, identified as "A," for illegally obtaining and selling the flight information of the group and other celebrities to fans for profit. "A" was accused with breaking the Information and Communications Network Act.

While a social media account operator who shared celebrity flight information was detained and given over to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in June of last year, this was the first time the original source of the leaked information was caught.

How did it all happen?

HYBE formed a task force (TF) in 2023 to address the issue of flight information leakage and worked closely with the police for the past two years. They relentlessly tracked the sources of these leaks, which eventually led to the identification of "A" as a suspect, according to Yonhap News Agency.

"A" reportedly sold the leaked data in tiers, with lower-priced transactions offering only flight numbers and departure times, while more detailed and private information was available for a higher fee.

Obsessive "sasaeng" fans who bought this information would board the same flights as celebrities to get close to them or manipulate in-flight services, such as altering meal orders — actions that verge on stalking. Some went even further, reportedly canceling flight reservations or changing seat assignments, causing disruptions to the artists' schedules.

Over the past two years, HYBE reportedly cooperated with the police by providing relevant information whenever suspected stalking cases arose, helping to narrow the scope of the investigation.

HYBE takes a stand

Over the years, entertainment companies have urged for probes into social media accounts that offer flight information. However, determining those responsible has been difficult. The broad network of sasaeng fans who communicated flight details among themselves and the many persons involved, from travel agents to airline staff and airport counter employees, made the search for leak sources much more difficult.

Following the arrest of "A," an employee of a foreign airline, industry insiders have emphasized the urgent need for airlines to implement stronger preventive measures and enhance cooperation.?

ARMY praises HYBE?

Soon after the news went viral, the BTS fandom ARMY took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to praise HYBE, with many acknowledging that such issues take time to resolve.?

One fan wrote, "They worked on this for two years. Two years. These things take time and patience!"

Another said, "Thank you for working tirelessly, HYBE. Let’s give credit where credit is due, shall we?"

One post read, "HYBE created its own task force to tackle this."

Another commented, "This isn't just about BTS, but all artists' flight information being sold — and it took two years to find out who was behind it."

One fan even added, "We give HYBE so much criticism, but honestly, their relentless efforts to protect BTS set a new industry standard."

About BTS?

The group, consisting of Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, is currently on hiatus as five of the seven members complete their mandatory military service.?

The eldest member, Jin, and rapper J-Hope have been relieved of their duties, and the rest are expected to be discharged by June 2025. ARMY eagerly awaits the long-anticipated OT7 reunion.?

For more news and updates from the world of?OTT, and?celebrities?from?Bollywood?and?Hollywood, keep reading?Indiatimes Entertainment.?