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Incheon International Airport Corporation has issued a new announcement regarding its plan for a private lane for celebrities. However, despite having only recently decided to open this lane for stars, Incheon Airport has reversed the decision. The reason is the intense public opposition and criticism, with many arguing that this is special treatment and an unreasonable privilege for celebrities.
According to the South Korean website Allkpop, an official notice titled "Request to comply with the procedure for using the dedicated gate at Incheon Airport for artists" was previously sent to entertainment companies. "With the globalization of the Korean entertainment industry, artists arriving and departing at the airport often attract large crowds of fans."
"The increasing scale of congestion is causing inconvenience to some passengers. Therefore, we have established a mechanism allowing celebrities and other public figures to use dedicated walkways at Incheon Airport. The aim is to minimize large gatherings, protect the safety of passengers, airport users, and foreign visitors," the unit stated.
Celebrities with busy schedules often use airports to attract media attention and fans who come to follow them.
This measure was implemented to minimize potential situations leading to large gatherings. The most intense controversy that drew public attention to this issue occurred in July when actor Byeon Woo Seok left the airport surrounded by a large crowd of fans. At that time, the actor's bodyguards used flashlights to shine in the faces of other passengers, controlling access to the gate even though it was not permitted. The incident highlighted concerns about the safety of celebrities at airports.
In fact, Incheon Airport doesn't open new gates exclusively for celebrities; they share the existing gates used by flight attendants and pilots. However, if a celebrity wants to use a special entrance, their management company must apply in advance.
Incheon Airport's plans have sparked controversy regarding special privileges for celebrities.
The practice of reserving special lanes for celebrities at airports and major events not only sparks public outrage but also raises questions about fairness. Images of stars being given priority access through private gates while thousands of others wait in line have become the focus of numerous online debates.
Additionally, the Incheon Airport Corporation held a meeting with representatives from major entertainment agencies on October 20th, requesting that they avoid excessive protection for artists during pick-up and drop-off to minimize inconvenience for other travelers.
