More than 3,500 screaming female fans turned out at Narita airport to welcome the biggest foreign celebrity in town. But the average age of the women was probably mid-30s to 40s, and the celeb in question was Korean soap opera star Bae Yong Joon (32). Several TV networks even aired the arrival of “Yon-sama” live, such is his celebrity status these days following the huge popularity of the series “Winter Sonata”. Several hundred fans “abandoned their families” to spend the night at the airport to get the closest possible glimpse of the ‘idol,’ who has insured himself for ¥1 billion in case of injury in the melee everywhere he goes. About 420 police, including 70 anti-riot squad members, were mobilized to control hysterical fans.
• And speaking of celebrities with an inexplicable fan base, a diamond-studded platinum Hello Kitty has sold for ¥10.5 million yen. The special edition of the hugely popular character was created to celebrate its 30th anniversary. It was sold to a customer at the Mitsukoshi department store in Osaka, after touring the country for the last few months.