Exclusive airport entrance for stars scrapped after backlash
It was envisioned as a paradise for celebrities and influencers but ended up as a global controversy. This refers to the idea proposed by the authorities at Incheon International Airport in Korea. They wanted to create a separate entrance for popular figures to prevent them from mingling with fans. Ultimately, this solution was abandoned.
2:18 PM EDT, October 28, 2024
Should influencers, celebrities, and well-known public figures be treated differently from ordinary individuals? Opinions on this matter are highly divided. Some believe that fame comes with privileges, such as dining with a golden spoon and the ability to hire numerous staff for protection, cleaning, driving, makeup, and hairstyling. Others assert that celebrities are still people who've achieved success. Nevertheless, ideas frequently surface worldwide to separate public figures from ordinary people, though they generally lack public support.
Are celebrities better than average people?
Celebrity culture in South Korea is one of the most developed globally. Fans collect pictures, drawings, or items signed by an idol's name, willing to spend significant sums of money on them. Tickets to concerts of the most popular music groups sell out faster than hotcakes at a local bakery. For many, meeting an idol is more crucial than a wedding or the birth of their own child. Therefore, it's no wonder South Korean influencers strive to protect their privacy in various ways.
Regardless of status, travelers departing from or returning to South Korea gather at one of the Korean airports. The largest of these is Seoul-Incheon International Airport, which is also one of the largest in Asia. Here, fans sometimes manage to encounter their idols. The authorities at Incheon sought to address these uncomfortable encounters. Therefore, employees proposed creating a separate entrance exclusively for celebrities.
Public opinion criticizes the airport authorities' idea
The controversial proposal was not well-received by the public. Consequently, the authorities at Seoul-Incheon Airport decided to withdraw its implementation. In a press statement published on October 27, 2024, media representatives stated: "In light of diverse opinions raised during the parliamentary audit and media coverage, we will not implement the special entry procedure for high-profile individuals causing dense crowds, which was scheduled for October 28." The company added that it intends to "examine practices at overseas airports and gather sufficient feedback to establish alternative measures ensuring the safety of airport users and addressing issues like congestion due to crowding."
A company representative mentioned, "The public consultation process was not adequately conducted." Earlier, on 24 October 2024, the proposed solution also received negative feedback from the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee of the National Assembly, which stated that "such actions are unfair."
