South Korean Singer Soyou Denies Intoxication Allegations on US Flight, Maintains Racism Accusation

Korean singer Soyou clarified Monday that a recent incident on a U.S. flight involved a language barrier rather than alcohol, contradicting online claims that she was intoxicated during what she described as an experience of discrimination.

The 34-year-old former member of the popular girl group Sistar addressed the controversy through a detailed social media post, explaining the sequence of events that led to her initial complaint about discriminatory treatment on an international flight.

“I only had a small amount of alcohol served with a meal at the airport lounge before boarding,” Soyou wrote. “I was not intoxicated, and I boarded without any issue or restriction.” Her statement directly counters allegations circulating online that suggested her behavior was influenced by excessive drinking.

According to the singer, the incident began when she attempted to inquire about meal service but encountered difficulties communicating in English. “I asked if a Korean-speaking crew member could help me,” she explained. This request prompted intervention from senior flight staff.

“The cabin manager and a security officer came over. Once it was confirmed that there was no problem, I was allowed to continue the flight as planned,” she noted.

The situation escalated later during the flight when Soyou stood to use the restroom. While she complied with a flight attendant’s request to make way for a service cart, she reports that the cabin manager subsequently addressed her harshly, telling her to “get out of here” without offering any apology afterward.

This treatment continued throughout the 15-hour journey from Atlanta to Seoul, leaving her feeling “confused and disheartened,” particularly given the length of the flight and what she described as a lack of meal service.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns about treatment of Asian passengers on international flights, particularly regarding language barriers that can complicate routine interactions. International carriers typically employ multilingual cabin crew on routes between major Asian destinations and Western hubs, though language coverage can vary significantly between airlines and specific flights.

Soyou emphasized that her decision to share her experience publicly wasn’t motivated by seeking compensation or attention. “I just wanted to speak out so that no one else has to go through something like this. I hope false claims don’t distort what really happened,” she wrote.

The singer initially shared her experience earlier this week after completing her U.S. schedule, describing the incident as “racial prejudice” that left her deeply hurt. Her account gained significant attention on social media platforms both in South Korea and internationally.

An anonymous post from someone claiming to be a fellow passenger on the same flight alleged that Soyou had been intoxicated during the incident. However, this post was subsequently deleted following public backlash questioning its veracity and timing.

The controversy has drawn comparisons to a similar incident in 2023 involving singer-actress Hyeri, who reported being downgraded from first class to economy by Delta Air Lines without receiving a refund. That incident sparked considerable public criticism of the airline and renewed discussions about customer service standards for international travelers.

Korean entertainment figures increasingly travel internationally for global performances, promotions, and appearances, making their travel experiences particularly visible to fans worldwide through social media platforms.

Neither the airline involved nor its representatives have publicly commented on Soyou’s allegations or her clarification regarding the incident.