In a recent and distressing incident at the airport, RED VELVET leader Irene was allegedly injured during a chaotic airport mob incident instigated by fans and reporters. The idol group was en route to the Supersound Festival in Thailand following their performance at “Music Core” when they were met with an overwhelming crowd, leading to a situation that quickly spiralled out of control.
RED VELVET Involved in Chaotic Airport Mob Incident
RED VELVET’s fanbase is well-known for its dedication. However, the scenes at the airport were of a nature that no artist or REVELUV would ever want to witness. Video footage circulating on social media shows the severity of the mobbing, with members, particularly Irene, struggling to navigate through the sea of people.
the fact that she is expected to smile despite this dangerous situation is so frustrating. do better sm and "fans" pic.twitter.com/UUs9WcvbYH
— 린 (@reneclips) November 18, 2023
The situation became so intense that Wendy herself was seen asking fans to give space in both Korean and English, despite which the situation remained fraught. Fans pushing into each other left the members with little space to move forward.
A distressing video posted on Twitter showed Irene being roughly shoved unexpectedly from behind, sparking outrage among fans online. Admirably, she maintained her composure and smile, a testament to her professionalism and kind-hearted nature toward fans. However, subsequent footage depicted a noticeable change in Irene’s demeanor, appearing distressed, walking slowly, and leaning on fellow member Seulgi for support. Several fan accounts suggest she may have injured her foot during the incident, raising concerns about her well-being.
Irene Maintains Composure Despite Alleged Foot Injury
Irene’s unwavering commitment to engaging with fans, even in the midst of being mobbed, has increased fans’ respect for her. Nonetheless, the incident has left many feeling a mix of emotions: admiration for Irene’s strength and resentment towards those who contributed to the chaos.
It was very crowded for irene and she was hit, i think there's sth wrong with irene's feet after the incident 🥺🥺 pic.twitter.com/tqcAlK8ULk
— t (@joohyunisabae) November 18, 2023
The event has also led to criticism of SM Entertainment, Red Velvet’s management company, for failing to provide adequate security measures. Fans argue that better planning and protection are necessary, especially given the group’s rising popularity and the increasing intensity of public appearances. The lack of security staff was apparent in all videos posted from the incident.
As fans await updates on Irene’s condition, hoping she isn’t hurt too badly, they have taken to online platforms to condemn the fans who contributed to the incident and SM Entertainment for not offering appropriate protective measures for their girl group. While the incident has shone a light on Irene’s admirable character, it has also exposed the darker side of fandom culture and the lapses in security protocols.