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'The B-Zone': Korean fans slam IST for discrimination at The Boyz's world tour

Fans are also unhappy about the lax social distancing guidelines as three of The Boyz members got Covid mid-tour

With the pandemic getting better, international K-pop fans were in for a surprise after several K-pop groups suddenly announced their world tours. We have had the likes of Ateez, Monsta X, Seventeen, TWICE, P1Harmony, Itzy, Stray Kids, TXT and more suddenly dropping dates for their world tours that had fans scrambling to get tickets. The Boyz also happens to be one such K-pop group that is currently touring the US.

Unfortunately, the American leg of their tour ‘The B-Zone’ has not been going too well. Fans were first disheartened on learning that Eric would be skipping some concerts as he is currently on an indefinite hiatus due to his health. Then with just two more stops left for their American tour, IST Entertainment shared that The Boyz’s three members – Kevin, Q, and Juyeon and some staff had ended up getting Covid in Dallas and the remaining US stops were postponed. And now, Korean fans are slamming the label for alleged discrimination.

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Korean fans claim mistreatment

Since June 5, Korean The Boyz fans have been tweeting about unfair treatment and the privilege that international fans have been getting at the US concerts of ‘The B-Zone’. The first fan to share their experience claimed that the security at the airport threatened Korean fans with derogatory words and said that if they took pictures, they would be punished. Other fans also started speaking up and shared that the staff had ordered the flight personnel to keep their phones in their bags or they wouldn’t be allowed to board and took photos of the fans' faces, invading their privacy.

Meanwhile, international fans were allowed to take photos of The Boyz at the airport. One Korean fan’s shocking revelation included that at a previous concert in Jakarta, the staff had a threatening demeanour and hovered around Korean fans with flashlights. In Manila, a male staff had even ordered security to do a body check on the fans and inappropriately touch them. At the ‘The B-Zone’ concerts, the staff threatened to take away Korean fans’ lightsticks if they took photos. However, there are several fancams and photos of the members during the concerts by international fans.

‘Don't try to get away with it and apologize’

Knetizens were angry with the alleged discrimination and shared, “It's so ridiculous. The reason K-Pop has gotten this big at all is thanks to the road paved by seniors and the passionate cheers of their Korean fans.” Another shared that if the staff was worried about stalkers why were they only targeting Koreans, “Sasaengs exist in all countries... why only block off Korean fans? Is it so they can look like they have a lot more foreign fans and prove that they are 'popular globally'?” One Knetz was blunt, “So do they still have hopes of filling up the KSPO dome in August... Their Korean fans make up the majority of their fandom, why piss them off now?”

Fans also did not appreciate IST’s Covid announcement, “Don’t blame The Boyz for Covid-19, You have to blame yourself. You know, even if you blame someone, you're an adult take care of your actions. A lot of Korean fans are also waiting for feedback on discrimination Don't try to get away with it and apologize politely.”

One shared, “Popping on over here just to comment that if deobis are so mad about ssngs why do they think it's a cute y/n moment when american fans ride the same plane as tbz but if it's a korean you guys are willing to brawl in the streets like ?? confused fr.”

However, some international fans are not sure how much of the allegations are true. One fan commented, “Article is staying that filming was only allowed for non-koreans at the venue... i could ASSURE you sitting RIGHT next to well known 'fansites' [using it loosely here] they were taking pictures pretty freely 😬 and didnt have any security stopping them at Newark.”

Another asked for proof, “My issue with kdeobis is instead of asking ist for clarification you guys just assume they said that and attack ist and tbz. When theres is literally no statements about ist saying they will sue all korean fans who record anywhere. Need yall to show me it since you seen it.” One fan was blunt, “F**k kdeobis f**k them for being crazy, mobbing tbz in airports, following them across the ocean and crying when they're treated like they deserve (like stalkers and ssg).”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.