On October 19, Soyou took to her Instagram story to share her experience, stating, "After finishing my schedule, I boarded a connecting flight from Atlanta to Korea. I was exhausted and simply asked for a Korean flight attendant to check the meal time. However, the purser judged my attitude and treated me like a problematic passenger, even calling security."
Soyou further expressed, "I even had to say I would disembark if I was the issue. Throughout the flight, I endured cold stares and attitudes, wondering, 'Is this racial discrimination?'"
She added, "I couldn't eat anything during the over 15-hour flight. The experience left a deep scar rooted in racial prejudice. I hope no one is ever suspected or insulted because of their race."
However, on October 20, various online communities and social media platforms saw posts from witnesses claiming to have been on the same flight. One user stated, "The cabin was noisy, and it turned out to be Soyou. She admitted she was drunk and requested a Korean flight attendant because she couldn't read the menu. Security was not called." Another witness wrote, "Soyou refused meals, saying she was tired while intoxicated. The crew carefully explained that flying while drunk is dangerous. Calling this racial discrimination is embarrassing as a fellow Korean."
Netizens have been critical of Soyou's actions, commenting, "As a public figure, you need to consider whether you were too drunk to remember or if you caused trouble for others," and "If you specifically requested a 'Korean' attendant instead of one who 'speaks Korean,' you initiated racial discrimination. Please be mindful."
By Dayeon Jeong, TenAsia Reporter light@tenasia.co.kr