Discrimination continues to cast a shadow even over K-pop’s biggest stars. In recent months, fans have raised concerns about idols facing bias abroad from BOYNEXTDOOR (보이넥스트도어) allegedly being treated unfairly during a U.S. trip to SEVENTEEN’s Seungkwan (부승관) sharing his uncomfortable experience with a barista accused of racism.
Now, SISTAR’s (씨스타) Soyou (소유) has stepped into the conversation, revealing what she called a “humiliating” experience on a Delta Air Lines flight from New York to Seoul. Her emotional post quickly went viral, drawing both support and scrutiny from the public.
According to the idol, the incident began when she asked for a Korean-speaking crew member to clarify meal times. She said the head attendant misread her request and treated her as a disturbance, leading to 15 hours of cold treatment and unhelpful service. “I was just tired after work, and a small misunderstanding turned into something very hurtful,” she explained.
However, an alleged eyewitness later told news outlets that Soyou appeared intoxicated and had admitted to drinking before boarding, a claim that sparked further division among fans. The individual claimed the crew simply followed airline policy, describing the situation as “embarrassing to witness as a fellow Korean.”
In response, the singer issued a formal statement denying the accusation. “Before boarding, I only had a small amount of alcohol that was served with the meal at the lounge. There were no restrictions or issues during the boarding process, and I boarded the plane without any problems,” she said.
She continued, “As I always do, I checked the in-flight meal schedule after boarding to manage my sleep and condition. After organising my luggage, I asked a flight attendant about the meal time, but as my English is not fluent enough for perfect communication, I found it difficult to continue the conversation. Since it was a flight bound for Korea, I assumed there would be a Korean-speaking crew member, so I asked for one.”
The idol clarified that her phrasing in English had likely been misunderstood: “During this process, my English sentence seemed to have been misunderstood, and as a result, the purser and a security officer came over. A Korean-speaking flight attendant then arrived and helped translate, confirming that there was no problem at all. I remained on the plane and entered Korea as planned.”
However, the singer said things worsened later in the flight. “When I stood aside to let a cart pass, the purser shouted, ‘Get out of here immediately!’ Even though another attendant explained it was a misunderstanding, no apology was made. I felt humiliated,” Soyou recalled.
She added that even a staff member travelling with her was handed the wrong menu without explanation, making the entire journey tense and uncomfortable. “I didn’t post to seek compensation. I just hope no one else will have to experience something like this again,” she said.
As the controversy continues to unfold, Delta Air Lines has yet to issue a statement. For many, Soyou’s story, whether true or misunderstood, has reignited an uncomfortable question: how much of what idols face abroad stems from cultural differences, and how much from discrimination itself?
