In an unexpected turn of events, three schoolgirls from a quiet village in the Karur district of Tamil Nadu found themselves on a misguided adventure fueled by their passion for music and dance, particularly their admiration for the popular Korean pop band, BTS. Aged 13 and students of Class 8 in a state-run school, the girls harbored dreams of meeting their beloved BTS stars in Seoul, the capital of South Korea.
Undertaking an audacious decision, the girls, without passports and with minimal funds, set their sights on traveling to a foreign country. Their chosen route involved reaching the seaports of Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu or Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh to board a ship bound for South Korea. Eventually settling on Visakhapatnam, they embarked on their journey, departing from their homes on January 4.
As the girls did not return home, concerned parents filed a complaint with the Karur police, triggering a state-wide alert and search operation. Despite their limited savings of approximately ₹14,000, the teenagers were determined to pursue their dreams. After reaching Chennai by train from Erode, near Karur, they encountered difficulties but secured accommodation in a Chennai hotel, naively hopeful about boarding a ship to Seoul without passports.
Their desperate attempts to proceed led them through a series of challenges, ultimately leaving them physically exhausted. Realizing the impracticality of their plan, the girls boarded a train from Chennai to return home. However, during a stop at Katpadi railway station to purchase food, they inadvertently missed the train, leading to police intervention and alerting Child Line authorities.
Subsequently, the girls were placed in a state-run facility in Vellore district, where counseling sessions were conducted for both the children and their parents. Officials discovered the girls’ profound knowledge of BTS, including intricate details about the band members’ attire. The girls had even purchased shoes similar to those worn by BTS stars. The influence of BTS, coupled with unrestricted access to smartphones, fueled their obsession with the K-pop sensations.
While acknowledging the girls’ aspirations for a life centered around dance and music, officials gently conveyed the gravity of their mistake in attempting to venture abroad without proper planning. Emphasizing the importance of education, the girls were encouraged to focus on their studies as a means to pursue their dreams.
Family backgrounds were considered, with one girl being raised by a single parent, another having a mentally challenged father, and the mothers working as farm laborers. The parents were urged to provide necessary support and guidance to ensure the well-being of their children.
The counseling sessions stressed the need for responsible use of smartphones and the internet, emphasizing their primary role in educational pursuits. The girls were redirected toward a path that prioritizes education and encourages them to chase their dreams through legitimate channels.
After the counseling sessions, the children were sent back to their home district with their parents, traveling by train on the night of January 6. The incident serves as a poignant reminder of the impact of celebrity influence on young minds and the importance of guiding aspirations within practical and realistic bounds.
