What is a Sasaeng?
A Sasaeng is another word in Korean for an obsessive fan. These sasaengs often operate and communicate within smaller groups where not everybody can automatically join. They usually only accept people who have the most exclusive information. Or have the wealth to afford and get their hands on resources. Some of these stalkers will take up jobs working at credit card or phone companies just to get their hands on more knowledge about their idols.
Some even disclose private information onto private accounts on Instagram. They share sensitive information like flight tickets, schedules, phone numbers, private photos and videos. With some accounts even selling this information to others for high prices.
Examples / cases of Sasaeng fans
Josh1994
Joshua Auerbach, is a German Twice fan who infamously known as being the stalker of Twice member, Nayeon. For a long time since the year 2019, Joshua has been on a pursuit to get Nayeon’s attention. As he claims he is in love with her. He went to spots Nayeon is usually hanging out, stayed in places where she and her family lived and having a YouTube channel where he makes update videos. And him even allegedly threatening to kill Nayeon if she ever dates someone else besides him.
Auerbach is well known for trying to approach Nayeon on a plane. He was stopped by airport security before shouting aloud, “Nayeon I love you!” in Korean. Later, member Chaeyoung had warned Josh on Nayeon’s behalf, threatening him to back off as she had reached her limit. In response, Joshua later went onto his now deleted Twitter account and purposely leaked Chaeyoung’s phone number.
Joshua is also making plans to get back into South Korea due to COVID 19 restrictions, and with both Twice and their company JYP Entertainment filing a lawsuit against him.
Poisoned Orange Juice
In 2006, TVXQ’s Yunho was given orange juice by a so called fan. Little did he know that the fan had put a tub of super glue inside of his drink and he was rushed to the hospital.
EXO Sasaengs
While not as bad as they used to be. The group EXO was notorious for having some of the worst cases of Sasaeng fans in the early 2010’s in the height of their popularity. These fans went to extreme lengths to get noticed by crossdressing as boys so they can take pictures of EXO in the same bathroom , attempting to kidnap the members, assaulting them, posing as paparazzi just to take illegal pictures of the members, and even stealing member’s clothes from their dorms and selling them online.
Why This Kind of Behaviour Causes Mental Health Issues
Indulging in this kind of behaviour is not only dangerous, but also bad for your mental health. Too many times Sasaseng have come out revealing that they suffer from mental illnesses and have depression or anxiety attacks from what they are doing. Behaviour like this could cause you to develop issues like Erotomania, as stalking and obsessing over these idols can lead you down the wrong path.
How do Sasaengs affect idols
Idols have shown discomfort due to fans like this, with some begging these fans to stop as it can be harmful. They can also trust issues or could have trauma from having to endure experiences like this
