‘Airport fashion’ may not fly so freely

BIGBANG member G-Dragon is seen donning a scarf and red cardigan as he departs for Hong Kong at Incheon International Airport, Nov. 4, 2024. Newsis

For years, Incheon International Airport has doubled as a fashion runway, with K-pop idols and TV stars turning routine departures into photo ops that quickly found their way into entertainment media and social feeds.

Now that ritual is under review.

The Incheon International Airport Corp. recently met with airport police and private security firms to discuss how to manage the crowds that gather when celebrities travel abroad. One idea raised was requiring celebrities to submit a “travel usage plan” before departure to reduce congestion and prevent chaotic scenes.

The talks followed several recent incidents in which impromptu fan gatherings and photo events disrupted the terminal, raising concerns that ordinary passengers were being inconvenienced or even put at risk. Incheon International Airport Corp. president Lee Hak-jae said passenger safety remains the top priority.

“We’ll keep working with partner agencies to minimize inconvenience for passengers and create a smoother, more orderly travel environment,” he said.

Airport fashion has been part of Korean pop culture since the early 2000s, when stylists began treating the concourse like a red carpet and fans showed up for rare glimpses of their idols. But not everyone views the practice as something worth preserving. Many travelers argue the spectacle has lost its appeal and turned into more of a nuisance than a cultural highlight.

Officials in Seoul noted that discussions on possible new measures are still ongoing, with the aim of ensuring both safety and convenience for travelers.