Netizens Criticize PLEDIS Following SEVENTEEN The8’s “Traumatic” Airport Mobbing Experience

PLEDIS Entertainment is currently under fire following SEVENTEEN The8‘s mobbing experience.

Though December has just begun, SEVENTEEN have already been extremely busy this month. The Japanese leg of their Follow tour began in late November and continued with two shows in Nagoya on December 2 and 3.

The next set of shows in Osaka begins on December 7; in the meantime, several members have returned to Korea to wait for their next schedule.

The8’s next schedule happened before the concerts, as the star was scheduled to appear in a live broadcast for KIKO Milano on December 5 on the brand’s Douyin account.

The star appeared in high spirits when he landed in China while still inside the terminal, posing for fan-taken photos.

231205 PEK#디에잇 #THE8#서명호 #徐明浩 #ミンハオ#세븐틴 #SEVENTEEN pic.twitter.com/V7N8kKY3gI

— Starlight_The8 (@StarlightThe8) December 5, 2023

However, once The8 exited the terminal to the general waiting area, fans immediately swarmed the idol, who appeared to have almost no security.

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As the crowd increased ferocity, fans got close enough to touch the idol, who appeared highly distressed. At one point, The8 can be seen covering his ears with his hands and ducking over.

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While the star later appeared unharmed on the KIKO Milano livestream…

231205 키코 도우인 라이브 #디에잇

베레모랑 볼꼬집 러시 ㅠㅠㅜㅜㅜㅜㅠ pic.twitter.com/sMdorKHSag

— 일월 (@THEtothe8ight) December 5, 2023

…fans have expressed anger towards PLEDIS Entertainment, demanding they better protect their artists.

Give Minghao better security protection and make sure this kind of thing doesn't happen again.
Give Minghao better arrangements, at least to ensure his safety.

PLEDIS PROTECT YOUR ARTIST@pledis_17 @pledis17_STAFF and XCSS,please take action. pic.twitter.com/7S9WSylIAt

— Fanbase of Minghao (@1107yyds75238) December 5, 2023

i can’t even put into words how mad & worried i am right now. seeing minghao covering his ears and panicking while ppl kept on mobbing him. pledis when will u learn. the op in the video was also laughing ?!? like not a single respect left in their bodies. absolutely disgusting. pic.twitter.com/zpqECY2ExN

— marg (@dokyeomlvr_) December 5, 2023

This is not the first time a member was mobbed at the airport. This is becoming worse. DO SOMETHING , @pledis_17!!! pic.twitter.com/Yp3QdJ7SvC

— maya (@wonhaoverse) December 5, 2023

This is not the first time a member of SEVENTEEN has dealt with a mobbing situation. Earlier this year, Jun faced a similar airport situation, with many voicing similar concerns over the lack of bodyguards.

This is the only airport video I will show because it shows a broader view of what these idols deal with. This is a SVT member. They swarmed him! People were grabbing him. The man in orange hat hugged him. It’s awful. Stop going to airports! pic.twitter.com/9lM75uMOYg

— JCPurpleARMY (@JCPurpleARMY) September 26, 2023