Oakland Police Department increases security after fans report an anti-fan possessing potential threats to K-pop group Stray Kids.
An anti-fan account of Stray Kids posted death threats toward all the members of the group.Â
Stray Kids is a fourth-generation K-pop group consisting of eight members. They belong to one of the big three companies and are currently on their Maniac World Tour.
The individual used the full name of Han Jisung, the rapper in the group, as their display name on Twitter. They targeted three specific members in their threats.
The anti-fan claimed to visit Stray Kids in their Maniac world tour in Oakland and threatened to bring a gun to shoot the members.
The anti-fan also posted numerous graphic gore photos to the threats of Stray Kids. The uploaded edited images with sensitive content and NSFW modified pictures of the members that could potentially harm their image as idols.
While threats of various kinds in the K-pop industry are mostly words with empty actions, there have also been incidents recorded of anti-fans and saesangs (stalkers) who act on their malicious intentions. The heinous tweets quickly gained the attention of STAYs, their fandom.
STAYs immediately screenshot the tweets and reported the account as well. They quickly sent an email to JYP Entertainment and notified the authorities.
Oakland Police Department (OPD) acted quickly after the reports and tipoff by the fans. They took to Twitter to assure the fans of everyone’s safety to ensure a fun concert. OPD AND FBI said to add more police officers and security to the scene to prioritise the safety of everyone attending.
Unfortunately, the individual later changed to another Twitter handle to avoid being tracked down.
Many STAYs took their fan accounts as a platform to warn the other STAYs who will be attending the Oakland concert to stay cautious and keep safe.
Attending fans commented on the stringent security measures taken. The venue saw an increase in police officers than average. The fans were forbidden to bring in any metal objects, even as small as a spiked bracelet.
Fortunately, Stray Kids started and finished today’s concert with an energetic and entertaining performance. They will move to their next venue, Climate Pledge Arena, in Seattle, for their concert on July 14 and 15.
