BTS & Other K-Pop Idols’ Flight Details LEAKED: Know How Hong Kong Airlines Employee Made Millions From This Scandal

A shocking breach of privacy has come to light as a Hong Kong Airlines employee is under investigation for allegedly leaking the flight details of top South Korean celebrities, including BTS. The scandal has sparked widespread concerns regarding the security of high-profile individuals travelling internationally. Keep reading as we unfold more about this scandal.

How was the information leaked?

On February 25, a report from Sports Chosun revealed that a woman in her 30s, working for Hong Kong Airlines, illegally accessed and sold sensitive flight information. The data included ticket reservations, flight schedules, seat numbers, and birth details of prominent K-pop stars. Authorities launched an investigation into the unauthorised sale of confidential airline data, suspecting it to be part of a larger illegal trade.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s cybercrime unit, the accused employee misused her access to the airline’s internal booking system and software to gather and distribute the data. Reports suggest she leaked private flight details to unauthorised buyers in exchange for financial gain.

A follow-up report from News1 stated that between 2023 and 2024, the employee allegedly earned around 10 million KRW (approximately 7,000 USD) by selling over 1,000 sets of flight details. Initially, she claimed that she shared boarding information as a favour for acquaintances, but it soon escalated into a full-fledged money-making scheme.

In her statement, the accused admitted, "At first, I provided flight details at the request of an acquaintance, but later, I started selling the information for profit."

As authorities continue their investigation, law enforcement is working to determine the full extent of the security breach and whether the leaked data was further distributed by unauthorised third parties.

Growing security concerns for K-Pop idols

This incident has heightened concerns over the safety of BTS and other global K-pop artists, particularly as it follows similar reports of privacy violations in recent months. Less than a year ago, HYBE, the entertainment company managing BTS, filed legal complaints regarding suspected leaks of flight ticket information involving the group's members.

With this latest breach, South Korean authorities are now intensifying their crackdown on unauthorised distribution of celebrity travel details, aiming to prevent further violations that could put idols at risk.