Jaejoong has opened up about being followed by sasaengs for two decades, generating shocking reactions from the K-pop community.
Here's what the idol said.
Kim Jaejoong Opens Up About Being Stalked by Sasaengs for Two Decades
On January 22, netizens discussed the post uploaded by legendary icon Kim Jaejoong, who admitted being followed by sasaengs for 20 years and his new, terrifying experience.
Sasaeng is a term for obsessive stalker fans, which the K-pop community and industry have been dealing with for a long time. They are usually known to be controversial due to their obsessive behavior, eerie actions, and can even get to the point of involving violence.
Kim Jaejoong is known as a household name in the K-pop industry, since his history in the music scene dates back from his time in TVXQ, to his current career as a member of JYJ and as a soloist. With his prominence laid out, sasaengs are inevitable.
According to his post on his Instagram Stories, Jaejoong revealed how sasaengs are currently following him by using taxi services. The idol also explained how these fares aid the stalkers on purpose through a systematic, organized process, while profiting from it.
Jaejoong shared how tiring it was experiencing and seeing the same actions of these stalkers after 20 years. Read his full caption below:
"Sasaeng taxis are waiting at every intersection.
Customers are begging the drivers to chase after celebrities, and they make money through harassment that tramples on a person's precious time and emotional well-being.
They coordinate with one another by using the radio, as if this was some sort of mission for them. They also make profits from this, and it's as if they have a professional manual for how to pull this kind of action.
But the generation has changed. I've already recorded all six cars following me yesterday, including black box videos. I also plan to gather more of those videos in the future and I hope that the people who are invading others' privacy get severely punished.
I'll never forget when one of you said, 'I'll be at the wedding if you ever get married.' It scared me, but I do hope you show up there so you can get arrested. It's been 20 years, let's stop this.
I've developed the habit of looking behind my back to make sure no one's following me while I'm eating my meal or walking down the street. You guys are busy on the road chasing people for money. Isn't it time to let it go now?"
"I can't believe these are my fans. I hope my hoobases don't get to experience this."
