Thai fans risk jail to meet Lee Jong-suk, their South Korean movie star idol

Published: 
Agence France-Presse
Listen to this article

The pair impersonated airport employees and entered the restricted zone at Bangkok airport

Agence France-Presse |
Published: 
Comment

Latest Articles

Faithful phrases: 9 idioms that will surely add a pious twist to your writing

Companion dogs comfort Hong Kong’s seniors through new programme

Taylor Swift’s storytelling shines in The Tortured Poets Department

Glowing animals go much further back in time than we thought

SOTY 2022/23: Art runs in the family for Visual Artist second runner-up

SOTY 2022/23: Linguist (English) first runner-up loves to play devil’s advocate

Lee Jong-Suk (left)

Many people have an idol in the world of music or movies, but not everyone will risk legal action for a chance to met them. But two Thai fans put their love of a Korean actor above their personal freedoms. They were charged with trespassing on Wednesday after sneaking into Bangkok’s main airport by impersonating customs officials to meet South Korean movie star Lee Jong-suk, police said.

The women, whose names were not disclosed, entered the restricted zone of Suvarnabhumi airport on September 14 using security passes they obtained in a risky attempt to meet the celebrity.

All went according to plan until one of the women detailed the derring-do exploit on Instagram, raising concerns about airport security.

7 daebak K-dramas so gripping you HAVE to watch them all

Thailand receives about 35 million tourists a year and the airport is its busiest hub.

Camera footage shows one customs official handing the pair security passes and leading them to the prohibited area where Lee was due to arrive.

Lee arrived in a facemask, as seen in this fan's video.
Photo: Instagram

“The two women are now charged over transpassing while two officials are wanted for helping them to commit the crime,” airport police chief Viroj Tudso said.

If convicted, they face fines and possible jail terms of up to five years.

Meet the K-pop songwriter who has written for EXO and Girls' Generation

One of the women facing charges had thanked her friend in a post for helping find the actor’s flight details and another person for leading her to the inner departure gate.

She also described the ruse, in which they wore outfits that made them look like customs staff, and said she was thrilled when it worked.

“I was the first person to shake hands with [him],” the woman said. “I won’t wash my hands.”

An airport representative said stricter rules on staff security checks would be implemented in response to the embarassing breach. 

Sign up for the YP Teachers Newsletter
Get updates for teachers sent directly to your inbox
By registering, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy
Comment