Many issues.
So Taeyeon. Almost getting dragged offstage by a fan. 'Tis definitely a shocking occurrence and as opposed to Jessica's "was she groped?" incident, there's a whole bunch of visual evidence of what happened. As to how it happened? Definitely a lapse in security. Granted, lapses do happen, and unfortunately, it shows that the security at this particular event wasn't on its toes. I'm assuming they have procedures to check who goes on stage - unfortunately, there were assumptions on security's part as well. AKP's article has SM's statement:
A representative of SM Entertainment stated after the incident, “During the latter part of the event, there was an unexpected accident. Taeyeon, however, handled the matter bravely, and security staff prevented the situation from becoming more severe. At first, the audience and concert representatives all thought that a staff member was going on stage. After the concert, SNSD returned back to their dorms and are currently resting. We’re glad that the incident did not escalate into something more severe.”
(Before anything, can we agree that Sunny is badass? She obviously knew what was going down just with a glance. And also, Taeyeon still putting up a smiling face and all of them performing afterward - that takes a whole bunch of guts.)
First off, SM statement: Professionally vague, no? It mentions Taeyeon being brave and security finally apprehending the fan, but it doesn't openly say that it was a lapse in security that caused the incident nor does it mention that Sunny and the MC stepped in to help. Interesting. There's also the fact that no reps from the concert have issued any kind of apology, which makes me wonder, since SM already released a statement, if SM is either a) dealing with the concert reps and/or b) sees themselves partially to blame as well, since the managers act as bodyguards as well, no?
Second, on getting things second-hand: I was going to address this on my LJ, but I think this is a good place to discuss it as well. International fans have access to about the same resources as Korean fans. (But there are things that I-fans are not privy to, i.e. sites, certain info~) The problem is that things can get lost in translation, which can cause friction between I and K-fans if that results in a difference of opinion/reaction. But it's not only about quality. The competition between news sites to be the first to report on something adds a time factor as well. But as the old saying goes, "Waste makes haste" and there have been a few incidences of things being mistranslated and thus causing its own uproar. Soshified tries to be very PC about its articles (re: vacation house article, fairly recently) but because it spends extra time ensuring quality, SSF sacrifices speed. And when it comes to speed, but not always quality, AKP reigns supreme.
Third, fan reaction. Yes, we know, pitchforks, death threats - the usual dealio. But there's also people expressing not rage, but sadness over the whole incident, extending even to the fan, assuming that he may have some mental problem. Though I have to LOL at this particular user being the one to tell people to hush, it is interesting that many people have made comments doubting the fan's sanity. It gives me this impression of "fans are crazy, but not *that* crazy."
But it also alludes to "rules for a proper fan" and I-fans, though there is an international community, have to conform to the K-fan rules. Which leads me to the question: Does anyone know if K-fans have put out some kind of "hey y'all, chill out" message? All I've seen is pretty much rage on my Twitter list and I'd assume there'd be some kind of organized rage against the event planners by now. (But would that sort of act against the event organizers be too much? Then again, what's considered "too much" when you've people throwing around death threats?)
Anyway, thoughts?
[ETA]
Coupang's statement, in which they apparently messed up ticket sales and distribution in addition to the lapse in security. They've issued a refund and apparently, Taeyeon's not pressing charges. ( Another article of the aftermath,, the guy was apparently a student, *hence* why they're not pressing charges. That doesn't seem to make sense to me - that shows that he was coherent and therefore liable to be punished. Or is my understanding of everything judicial and political completely off? -_-;
New vid of Sunny being a total BAMF. I mean look at her! She knew instantly and stalked over and grabbed Taeyeon with that attitude that totally would have meant death for that guy if she'd had the chance xP
Another angle showing the girls going to Taeyeon. Gotta love the fans going "WTF?!"
[ETA2] I have no idea why comments are being screened. (Even one of my comments has become screened o_o)
[ETA3] Can't link the article right now AKP article with video, but what the actual fuck, someone went up on stage and tried to attack Wheesung! Holy crap! D8 Also, this was an interesting comment in OMNTD about the differences in fan reactions.
A representative of SM Entertainment stated after the incident, “During the latter part of the event, there was an unexpected accident. Taeyeon, however, handled the matter bravely, and security staff prevented the situation from becoming more severe. At first, the audience and concert representatives all thought that a staff member was going on stage. After the concert, SNSD returned back to their dorms and are currently resting. We’re glad that the incident did not escalate into something more severe.”
(Before anything, can we agree that Sunny is badass? She obviously knew what was going down just with a glance. And also, Taeyeon still putting up a smiling face and all of them performing afterward - that takes a whole bunch of guts.)
First off, SM statement: Professionally vague, no? It mentions Taeyeon being brave and security finally apprehending the fan, but it doesn't openly say that it was a lapse in security that caused the incident nor does it mention that Sunny and the MC stepped in to help. Interesting. There's also the fact that no reps from the concert have issued any kind of apology, which makes me wonder, since SM already released a statement, if SM is either a) dealing with the concert reps and/or b) sees themselves partially to blame as well, since the managers act as bodyguards as well, no?
Second, on getting things second-hand: I was going to address this on my LJ, but I think this is a good place to discuss it as well. International fans have access to about the same resources as Korean fans. (But there are things that I-fans are not privy to, i.e. sites, certain info~) The problem is that things can get lost in translation, which can cause friction between I and K-fans if that results in a difference of opinion/reaction. But it's not only about quality. The competition between news sites to be the first to report on something adds a time factor as well. But as the old saying goes, "Waste makes haste" and there have been a few incidences of things being mistranslated and thus causing its own uproar. Soshified tries to be very PC about its articles (re: vacation house article, fairly recently) but because it spends extra time ensuring quality, SSF sacrifices speed. And when it comes to speed, but not always quality, AKP reigns supreme.
Third, fan reaction. Yes, we know, pitchforks, death threats - the usual dealio. But there's also people expressing not rage, but sadness over the whole incident, extending even to the fan, assuming that he may have some mental problem. Though I have to LOL at this particular user being the one to tell people to hush, it is interesting that many people have made comments doubting the fan's sanity. It gives me this impression of "fans are crazy, but not *that* crazy."
But it also alludes to "rules for a proper fan" and I-fans, though there is an international community, have to conform to the K-fan rules. Which leads me to the question: Does anyone know if K-fans have put out some kind of "hey y'all, chill out" message? All I've seen is pretty much rage on my Twitter list and I'd assume there'd be some kind of organized rage against the event planners by now. (But would that sort of act against the event organizers be too much? Then again, what's considered "too much" when you've people throwing around death threats?)
Anyway, thoughts?
[ETA]
Coupang's statement, in which they apparently messed up ticket sales and distribution in addition to the lapse in security. They've issued a refund and apparently, Taeyeon's not pressing charges. ( Another article of the aftermath,, the guy was apparently a student, *hence* why they're not pressing charges. That doesn't seem to make sense to me - that shows that he was coherent and therefore liable to be punished. Or is my understanding of everything judicial and political completely off? -_-;
New vid of Sunny being a total BAMF. I mean look at her! She knew instantly and stalked over and grabbed Taeyeon with that attitude that totally would have meant death for that guy if she'd had the chance xP
Another angle showing the girls going to Taeyeon. Gotta love the fans going "WTF?!"
[ETA2] I have no idea why comments are being screened. (Even one of my comments has become screened o_o)
[ETA3] Can't link the article right now AKP article with video, but what the actual fuck, someone went up on stage and tried to attack Wheesung! Holy crap! D8 Also, this was an interesting comment in OMNTD about the differences in fan reactions.