SEVENTEEN‘s The8 has been a victim of invasion of privacy and defamation.
Why did the staff do nothing when the antis got so close to the artist and filmed his passport information, then maliciously intercepted the video content and spread the privacy insults on Weibo?
PLEDIS PROTECT YOUR ARTIST #minghao #디에잇 #SEVENTEEN @pledis_17 @pledis17_STAFF pic.twitter.com/799N03Jrqf — 与浩 (@star7andthe8) June 4, 2024rude????
“In recent days, our company noticed certain netizens have continuously posted false messages targeting our artist Mr. Xu Minghao.
Certain netizens have taken things out of context, twisted the truth, and posted false messages.
SEVENTEEN‘s The8 has been a victim of invasion of privacy and defamation.
Recently, The8 has been traveling for various schedules, with many being in China and it has meant a lot of airport appearances for the idol.
In a video that is gaining attention, a netizen spots The8 inside the airport and as they walk closer, they record his private passport and joke about “exposing” his personal information.
[Video could not be displayed]
When he spotted what happened, he raised his finger to tell them to stop and the clip was cut there.
[Video could not be displayed]
When the videos were shared, netizens voiced their anger at the actions of the netizen and that the way it was recorded and posted made The8 look bad when he was just reacting to an invasion of privacy.
Why did the staff do nothing when the antis got so close to the artist and filmed his passport information, then maliciously intercepted the video content and spread the privacy insults on Weibo? PLEDIS PROTECT YOUR ARTIST #minghao #디에잇 #SEVENTEEN @pledis_17 @pledis17_STAFF pic.twitter.com/799N03Jrqf — 与浩 (@star7andthe8) June 4, 2024
rude???? for pointing a finger at these crazy stalkers leaking his passport info???? baby that’s tame i need minghao to do this at least once in his lifetimepic.twitter.com/timqjA8aea — 🍿🥢 (@seaseoned) June 3, 2024
then to get on here & call minghao rude like you didn’t record his passport information & post it happily is so crazy. be lucky he only raised his finger at you for doing something so stupid instead of getting security. don’t sit & blame him when YOU’RE the one in the wrong — nana🧚🏽♀️ (@luvr8hao) June 3, 2024
a mf followed minghao at the airport, recorded his passport information while it was getting checked, posted it and even said that he was rude to her. (i think minghao told her to stop) btch you’re lucky i wasn’t there cause i would’ve shoved your ass on the floor. 💀 — peyt ☻ (@wonsworlddd) June 3, 2024
If that wasn’t enough, a popular X account shared a video of The8 at the airport and accused him of being the perpetrator who urinated on a shrine in Japan.
At Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The idiot that peed at the Yasukuni Shrine went back [to China]. — @iPaulCanada
When the video and tweet were shared, netizens immediately hit back at the accusations.
Carats, plz report this video. Context: This new media using Hao video n defaming him as a stranger who pəəd at Yasukuni Shrine in JP. Which is so funny cause he can't even go anywhere without being stalked 😭 ‼️Do Not Interact‼️
Community Note User 📝 https://t.co/6JvMD6KK4N — AI🌸 (@emcarats) June 3, 2024
After the videos and posts were shared for both incidents, Xing Can Sheng Shi Entertainment (the China division) shared a statement about the false messages and videos targeting The8. In the post, they specifically referred to the incidents at the airport, including The8’s personal documents and twisting the content in a malicious way.
“In recent days, our company noticed certain netizens have continuously posted false messages targeting our artist Mr. Xu Minghao. They even took certain parts of videos and spread them after adding inappropriate interpretations, seriously slandering his character. To avoid the continuous spread of the false messages, which are making the public doubt and misunderstand Mr. Xu Minghao, we are making the following statement: Mr. Xu Minghao’s personal identification documents are personal and private information, and are protected by the law. No one is allowed to invade another person’s private information through leaks, disclosures, or other means. The act by the relevant parties who purposely filmed and exposed the artist’s identification document after immigration at the airport is a violation. Certain netizens have taken things out of context, twisted the truth, and posted false messages. They should immediately stop posting and spreading them, and immediately delete all false contents. In regards to the improper acts and messages that violate our artist’s privacy and reputation rights, our company has been continuously gathering related evidence and reserves the right to take legal action against relevant parties. At the same time, our company would like to remind the public to maintain public order, respect and protect other people’s privacy and reputation, and together create and protect the civilized and friendly society and online communities.” — XCSS
While it was a response, many think it isn’t far enough and want more immediate action.
