What Happened at Incheon Airport?
In a spectacle that felt more like a chaotic red carpet than an airport terminal, actor Byeon Woo Seok’s security detail went a step too far last July at Incheon International Airport. According to the local court ruling disclosed on July 2, both the bodyguard and the security company involved were slapped with a fine of 1 million KRW (about $720) each for violating Korea’s Private Security Services Act.
Lights, Cameras… Violations?
The court found that members of the security team used high-powered flashlights on fans and bystanders who were simply filming on their phones. They even attempted to inspect IDs and boarding passes—acts clearly outside the scope of what private security is legally allowed to do in Korea.
“Shining flashlights at civilians does not qualify as standard protective action,” Judge Shin Hun-ho stated, adding that their behavior didn’t match the justification of crowd control.
The Fan Frenzy Backstory
This all unfolded at Terminal 2 of Incheon Airport on July 12, 2023. Hundreds of fans and media swarmed the site after Byeon Woo Seok’s schedule went public. As crowds surged, the situation escalated into confusion and chaos, with the security team blocking lounge entrances and disrupting normal passenger flow.
What’s the Actor’s Role in This?
Interestingly, Judge Shin didn’t stop at criticizing the overzealous bodyguards. He also questioned the actor’s team for openly releasing his flight details. “If the purpose was to avoid being filmed, the schedule should not have been revealed at all,” the judge noted. “Instead, moving through crowded areas created exactly the kind of fan event situation they now blame on outside factors.”
Lesson Learned?
Fortunately, no prior offenses were found, and both the guard and the company vowed not to repeat the incident. Still, the case raises broader questions about celebrity security, fan behavior, and just how public Hallyu stars want their private lives to be.
Byeon Woo Seok, known for his breakout role in Lovely Runner, continues to rise in popularity—but next time he flies, fans and bodyguards alike might want to dial it down a notch.
