On July 9, RIIZE left for Japan to attend the group’s second Japanese fan meeting. Sungchan appeared at the airport wearing a black T-shirt, jeans, and a black cap.
As he entered the airport, fans crowded tightly around him. With barely enough room to walk, several people continued filming him at close range, holding their smartphones directly in front of his face.
One sasaeng fan in particular approached Sungchan from extremely close range and attempted to film his face while he had his head lowered. Even after Sungchan quickly moved away, the individual continued following him. Eventually, Sungchan turned around and used his elbow to push the person’s smartphone away.
Afterward, Sungchan briefly lifted the brim of his cap at the security checkpoint so airport staff could verify his identity before continuing through the screening process. After completing passport control, he gave a slight bow and proceeded into the departure area.
As the video spread online, some domestic and international fans expressed concern over Sungchan’s response. Comments included, “Using his elbow looked dangerous,” “What if someone had gotten hurt?” and “I was shocked after watching the video.” Others also criticized his demeanor during the security screening, with some speculating, “Was he in a bad mood that day?” and “His expression toward the staff looked intimidating.”
Some netizens also compared the incident to the recent controversy involving Jang Wonyoung at the airport. They argued, “Jang Wonyoung received heavy criticism just for briefly lowering her mask,” and questioned, “What would the reaction have been if Jang Wonyoung had done the same thing?” pointing out what they viewed as a double standard in public opinion.
On the other hand, many fans defended Sungchan, emphasizing the chaotic conditions at the airport. They argued that the overwhelming presence of sasaeng fans had crossed personal boundaries and created an extremely stressful situation. Supportive comments included, “They must have been unbelievably close for him to react like that,” “The sasaeng fans crossed the line,” and “People should respect artists’ personal space.”
Sources: Nate