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“Sasaeng Fans” (私生饭)

“Sasaeng fans,” a term originating in South Korea, describes obsessive stalkers who invade celebrities’ privacy through harassment and relentless pursuit, a phenomenon now widespread across East Asia.
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The term “sasaeng fans,” or sī shēng fàn, originated in South Korea and refers to obsessive fans who engage in stalking behavior, invading celebrities’ privacy through harassment, illegal photography, and relentless pursuit. The phenomenon has spread across the entertainment sector in East Asia, and media in China now widely use the translated term. These fans develop intense parasocial relationships that escalate into dangerous stalking behaviors, disrupting idols’ personal lives and safety. “Just How Terrifying is Sasaeng?” asked one headline last week on Sohu.

Hong Kong actress Cecilia Yip (葉童) is pulled from her vehicle by a “saesang fan.”

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