Eunho of YOUNITE Dodges Attempted Kiss from Fan in Brazil

A fan attempted to forcibly kiss Younite's Eunho after a concert in Brazil.
Event organizers and the agency condemned the act as clear sexual harassment.
The incident highlights the critical need for fans to always respect idols' personal space.

YOUNITE is an eight-member South Korean boy band that made their debut in April 2022 under the established label Brand New Music. Their name carries a significant meaning, symbolizing the deep bond and connection between the group and their fans, "YOU and I: we are connected."

The philosophy is at the core of their identity. Since their introduction to the K-pop scene with their first EP ‘YOUNI-BIRTH’, the group, currently consisting of members Eunho, Steve, Eunsang, Hyungseok, Woono, Dey, Kyungmun, and Sion, has consistently released music that reinforces this connection, including subsequent projects like ‘YOUNI-Q’, ‘YOUNI-ON’, and ‘Light: BIT Part.1’. Their journey is built on a foundation of mutual respect and shared experiences with their fandom, known as YOUNIZ.

A Chilling Incident: When Fandom Crosses the Line

However, this ideal of a healthy connection was recently threatened in a shocking incident. Following a performance at the '18th Korean Culture Day' event in São Paulo, Brazil, the group was navigating through a crowd of cheering fans when a woman breached security.

Quoting from Chosun, a video that quickly went viral on social media captured the alarming moment: the woman aggressively pushed through, grabbed member Eunho by the shoulder, thrust her face towards his, and attempted to forcibly kiss him on the cheek. Reacting with incredible speed, a startled Eunho ducked away and was hurried to safety by his security team. What was meant to be a moment of post-performance joy turned into a violation of personal space and safety.

The response from the local fan community and the wider online audience was swift and unanimous in its condemnation, with many rightly labeling the act as sexual harassment. One fan articulated the collective outrage on social media.

"This is a clear violation of the artist's privacy and bodily freedom," said one fan.

The statement emphasizes the organizers firm stance against sexual harassment following an incident where a fan attempted to forcibly kiss an artist. It makes clear that any behavior threatening an individual’s dignity, respect, or safety is absolutely unacceptable. The organizers also highlight their ongoing commitment to creating a safe and respectful environment, not only for artists but also for fans, production staff, and everyone involved, underscoring the importance of ethics and healthy interaction in all aspects of the event.

"We deeply regret the sexual harassment incident at the event, where a fan attempted to forcibly kiss an artist. We reiterate that sexual harassment of any kind will not be tolerated. Any action that violates an individual's dignity, respect, or safety will never be tolerated. We will continue to strive to ensure that artists, fans, production staff, and everyone else can operate in an environment of respect, ethics, and healthy interaction," said the event organizer.

Echoing this sentiment, YOUNITE's agency, Brand New Music, also spoke up, addressing the broader issue of fan safety.

"Recently, there was a safety incident where the artist's safety was threatened due to excessive approach by some fans on the way home from a concert. This poses a significant risk not only to the artist but also to the safety of all fans present at the venue."

Their statement concluded with a crucial reminder, "For the safety of both artists and fans, we ask that you maintain a safe distance during scheduled activities."

In the aftermath, Eunho himself reassured fans through a fan communication platform, sharing his personal reaction to the frightening event.

"I was flustered. I thought it was a staff member. I dodged it with incredible reflexes. I'm okay," Eunho admitted.

This unsettling event involving YOUNITE serves as a critical reminder for fans everywhere. Whether an idol is male or female, there is an immutable boundary that must never be crossed. Actions like forced physical contact, whether intended as a joke or affection, are unacceptable and constitute harassment. Idols are not characters in a story; they are human beings deserving of the same respect for their personal space and autonomy as anyone else.

True support is shown through admiration from a respectful distance, celebrating their art without infringing upon their person. The connection that YOUNITE sings about, the very one that gives the group its name, can only truly thrive in an environment of mutual respect and safety.

Source: Chosun, X/povexpo71, X/YOUNITE_offcl