K-pop 2nd-Gen Icon Opens Up About Terrifying Experiences With Sasaengs: ‘Our Time Was the Worst’

“A sasaeng kissed me while I was sleeping.”

The second-generation idol revealed the experience of feeling trapped like a “prisoner”due to the terrible actions of sasaeng fans.

On June 27, The Boyz Younghoon served as the special MC on the YouTube channel “uhmg”for a special episode of the web show “Jaefriends.”

On this day, the original member of MC JYJ, Kim Jaejoong, made a special appearance as a guest on his own program. Together with a 4th-generation star, the two dazzled the studio with their breathtaking looks and charming personalities.

As part of his promotion for his 20th debut anniversary regular album, “FLOWER GARDEN,”which was unveiled on June 26, he made the decision to become a guest.

At this moment, Jaejoong also reflected on his two decades in the entertainment industry, recalling the difficult moments he encountered with obsessive fans, also known as sasaeng.

Younghoon inquired:

“I’m really curious, hyung, weren’t your sasaengs really bad? What was it like?”

Without hesitation, Jaejoong answered:

“They were very bad. Actually, when the H.O.T hyungs were around, it was an analog-style fandom culture so people would act unconditionally. But in our time, there were both analog and digital fandoms, so I think our time was worse… I’m so scared of it.”

(Photo : Jaejoong, Younghoon (News1))

When Younghoon inquired about one of his worst encounters with such fans, he revealed that he had experienced having a stalker.

“This is really unbelievable. I was at home when I received a text from a number I didn’t recognize. I saw it then.

‘That was my back right now.’

It means they are inside the house right now, right?

It gives me goosebumps, but it was a little bit late when I found it. They already came in and took pictures here and there and sent them to me after leaving. It’s creepy, but it’s just nothing.”

(Photo : Jaejoong (News1))

“There was a sasaeng who was kissing me while I was sleeping. The girl who kissed me while I was sleeping was caught in my home. If that happened now, she might’ve gone to jail.

Since then, it has always been my habit. To see if there is anything around me. I continued trying to find it. I really lived like a prisoner.”

(Photo : Jaejoong, Younghoon (News1))

Fortunately, the situation improved once IU took the initial action of filing a lawsuit against fans who had overstepped their boundaries.

Afterwards, Jaejoong emphasized the positive impact it has on current idols, stating:

“I’m not sure if it’s because of IU’s good image, but I think it was a good opportunity to recognize that this is an act that can really cause great harm to humans. So it seems like it has been protected to some extent since then.”