Weverse Shop responded to the controversy over staff checking fans’ underwear at &Team fansigning event.
On July 9th, Weverse Shop, the host of &Team fansigning event, announced their official position, saying “We would like to apologize to fans who underwent the security body checks by female security guards at the offline fansigning event on the 8th”.
They continued, “Fansigning event allows fans to have one-on-one conversations with artists, and in order to prevent the leak of recorded content and to avoid situations that could cause discomfort to fans and artists, we have strictly prohibited electronic devices for recording and filming.”
They further explained, “Many fans have actively cooperated with this policy, but on the 8th, there were several cases of fans hiding electronic devices on their bodies. That’s why security body checks were conducted by female security staff. We apologize to the fans who attended the event with a joyful heart but ended up feeling uncomfortable.”
The organizer also stated, “Although it was for security purposes, we are well aware that it cannot be a good reason for making fans uncomfortable. We sincerely apologize for what happened at the event. We will prepare better measures, such as introducing non-contact methods for security checks, so that fans can participate in fansigning events with the artists in a more comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere.”
Earlier on the morning of the same day, articles titled “Issues that happened at &Team fansigning event” spread on Twitter and online communities. Fan A said, “&Team staff checked my underwear at the event. They were afraid that I brought Apple Watch or electronic devices, so they touched my body to check. They touched here and there and it was like sexual harassment.”
Twitter user B said, “They touched my chest and asked, ‘Is it a watch?’. They took me to a small space and told me to lift my shirt. I had no choice but to do as they said. While I was lifting my shirt, someone opened the door and saw me getting checked. It was very embarrassing and I believe that it was a human rights violation”.
Fan C added, “They dragged me somewhere to check but couldn’t find anything so they just left without an apology. There were foreigners among the fans at the event, and the staff should know how embarrassing they might feel when undergoing such an underwear check without prior notice.”
Meanwhile, &Team debuted in 2022 and is the first global group introduced by HYBE Labels Japan. They started promoting in Japan first before carrying out activities in Korea.
Source: Daum
