The K-pop group RIIZE was seen at Incheon International Airport on January 17 KST, on their way to Tokyo, Japan. While some fans were present, others expressed frustration after allegedly seeing the group bypass the regular entry line.
What Happened at the Airport?
Due to increased international travel, wait times at Incheon Airport’s entry gates have recently reached two to three hours. This has put travelers on edge. When some noticed RIIZE seemingly bypassing the line, it caused anger. A video shared by a Korean media agency captures a man shouting, “Get in the back of the line!” at the six members: Shotaro, Eunseok, Sungchan, Wonbin, Sohee, and Anton.
Reactions to the Incident
This incident has led to discussions about whether celebrities should receive special treatment at airports. Some online comments included:
“I mean if I waited 2 hours and then saw those boys stalking up to the gate without a wait, I’d be mad too.”
“The airport is so packed these days. It seriously takes 3 hours to get in.”
“If they cut lines, they should get yelled at.”
“So RIIZE get to go in first before all those people who waited in line..? Why..?”
“If there’s a 2-hour long wait, then it doesn’t matter if you’re a celebrity, you need to wait.”
“I really don’t get that. So celebrities can just skip the lines and go in as soon as they arrive?? That doesn’t sound fair.”
“That ahjusshi is being too much but it’s true that they shouldn’t get special treatment.”
“Celebrities should never get special treatment.”
“I don’t know if they actually cut the lines or what, but they really need to do something about all those reporters, cameramen, and fans at the airport. It’s a huge mess.”
However, others argued that having celebrities wait in the general line could cause bigger problems, attracting large crowds of reporters and fans, which would lead to further delays and disruptions for everyone. They believe that prioritizing celebrities is a way to minimize overall inconvenience.
On January 17, RIIZE traveled to Japan for their first fan meet in the country, titled RIIZE: The Secret LIEZ. The fan meet took place over two days (three sessions) on January 18 and 19 at Pia Arena in Yokohama. The group debuted in Japan with the single Lucky on September 5, 2024.
Saikat Nandy is an entertainment news writer who covers the latest trends and stories from the world of showbiz, has a keen eye for spotting the most interesting and relevant topics, and delivers them to his audience with flair and humor. He is also a freelance blogger, content writer, and website designer who loves to explore new technologies and creative ideas.
