“Impersonating is crazy and insane” — Fans concerned as PLEDIS releases fan etiquette summary reportedly following breach of SEVENTEEN’s privacy

The K-pop group SEVENTEEN has recently experienced a significant breach of their privacy, prompting their management company, PLEDIS Entertainment, to take action. On December 27, 2024, the company issued an official statement via Weverse, outlining a set of rules for fans to follow in order to respect the artists' personal space and activities.

The group, who recently completed tours in America and Japan as part of their SEVENTEEN Is Right Here World Tour, will soon continue their performances in other Asian countries. In preparation, PLEDIS Entertainment emphasized the importance of maintaining the group's privacy by releasing these guidelines.

While fans welcomed the initiative, many also expressed disappointment, pointing out that it’s unfortunate the company had to explicitly address what should be considered basic respect. Discussions online highlight frustration over certain fans’ alleged lack of decency, with many stating that such measures should not have been necessary in the first place.

"I can't believe they had to make a whole fckin list of fan etiquette when it should be common sense for everyone what a fan should and should not do when idolizing an artist. are we not clear on what the relationship between a fan and an artist should be???" wrote a fan.

"Just common decency/respect for your artists. the fact that companies need to post this," commented another fan.

"Basically, just go to the concert, enjoy with fellow carats and comeback peacefully. WITHOUT doing anything extra," wrote a user.

"They actually need to be more strict with the lawsuits and issue arrests because these sasaengs get away with their behaviour every single time and it only enables more sasaengs," commented another user on X.

Other fans also expressed similar sentiments, some expressing relief that the companies are taking action.

"This type of obsession is crazy," wrote a fan.

"They are legit telling you in words to stop following them and people still don’t get it," commented another fan.

"So glad that they're finally taking an action, as they should," said a user.

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PLEDIS Entertainment takes action to protect SEVENTEEN’s privacy with new fan guidelines

On December 27, 2024, PLEDIS Entertainment issued an official statement via Weverse addressing ongoing privacy violations SEVENTEEN has faced. The agency emphasized its commitment to fostering a healthy fan culture, particularly during events. They announced a detailed set of rules aimed at maintaining discipline and protecting the group's personal and professional boundaries.

The statement outlined six key areas of concern based on recent incidents:

1) Avoid unofficial engagement venues or private spaces

Fans are urged not to enter restricted areas designated for security or professional personnel. Trespassing in such spaces disrupts the artists’ privacy and personal time.

2) Do not stalk the artists

This includes refraining from initiating non-consensual contact, such as touching, calling, or texting the artists. Secretly taking photos or videos during their free time is also prohibited.

3) Do not buy or sell artists’ personal information

Fans and third parties are warned against obtaining or trading personal information about SEVENTEEN for monetary gain or other purposes.

4) Respect recording policies at events

Many venues prohibit recording to ensure the privacy of the artists and attendees. Fans are reminded to adhere to these rules and avoid secretly filming or sharing content from such events.

5) Do not interfere with artist-related activities

Fans must respect the company’s rules, including not visiting artists’ accommodations or attempting unauthorized interactions during their schedules.

6) Refrain from other inappropriate actions

This category includes impersonating staff to approach the artists, giving unsolicited gifts, or engaging in other unapproved behaviors.

The company further highlighted several specific violations in bold, including:

• Trespassing on closed sets or impersonating staff.
• Contacting artists with illegally obtained personal information.
• Visiting private locations, such as their homes.
• Chasing artists in vehicles, endangering lives.

The company reiterated the importance of respecting the privacy of all the members of SEVENTEEN and warned of potential consequences for those who breach these rules.

Fans expressed mixed reactions to the announcement, with many agreeing that these guidelines should have been enforced earlier, especially during the group's recent American and Japanese tours. Some K-pop fans also noted that these incidents might have stemmed from a lack of prior preventive measures.

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Looking ahead, the K-pop group will continue their SEVENTEEN Is Right Here world tour in 2025, visiting locations such as Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore. Fans of the group are hopeful these new measures will ensure a safer and more respectful environment for SEVENTEEN moving forward.