In an eye-opening interview on the YouTube channel "Neighborhood Star K," EXO's Baekhyun opened up about his unsettling experiences with sasaeng fans, offering a glimpse into the darker side of K-pop idol life.

During the episode aired on September 24th, host Jonathan took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, referencing EXO's overwhelming success and the fervor of their fanbase. He humorously recalled how, during his sixth-grade days, many girls proudly declared themselves as “Baekhyun’s wife.” Baekhyun, however, expressed his disappointment at never having witnessed that wave of adoration himself.

As the conversation progressed, Jonathan's admiration for Baekhyun was palpable. He highlighted the idol’s presence on massive advertising campaigns for Pepero, cosmetics, and school uniforms, and acknowledged the incredible journey Baekhyun had experienced over his 13-year career in the industry. "You’ve been an idol for 13 years and have experienced a lot, right?" he asked, to which Baekhyun simply nodded, stating, "I’ve been through a lot."

Delving into the more shocking aspects of his fame, Baekhyun recounted numerous encounters with sasaeng fans – a term used to describe overly obsessive and intrusive fans. “I've had countless phone calls with them. It felt like a game of cops and robbers,” he recounted with a mix of disbelief and humor. “When I was feeling vulnerable, they would inundate me with calls, which drove me to my wits' end. I often found myself replying, ‘Get a grip, and wash your face!’”

Things took a darker turn as Baekhyun shared a particularly alarming story about his previous residence. Despite moving into a supposedly secure building, he revealed that sasaeng fans managed to break in. Stunned, he recounted an incident where he spotted someone suspicious and was taken aback when their friends emerged from hiding behind parked cars, resembling a scene straight out of an action movie. "It was like something out of the Avengers!" he exclaimed, leaving the audience shocked.

Jonathan, visibly impressed and somewhat concerned, noted how calmly Baekhyun spoke about such hair-raising experiences, indicating just how much the idol has endured over the years. Baekhyun smiled knowingly, saying, “I have a lot of war stories.”

As the interview drew to a close, Jonathan praised Baekhyun's resilience, to which the idol simply smiled and reflected, “It’s all just memories now.”

Baekhyun's candid revelations serve as a reminder of the complexities that come with fame in the K-pop industry, revealing a world where admiration can sometimes blur the lines of personal boundaries. How do you think such experiences shape an idol's public persona? Share your thoughts!