A Japanese woman in her 50s has been officially charged with sexual harassment for allegedly forcing an unwanted kiss on BTS member Jin during a public fan event held last year. The Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office announced the charges yesterday after investigators determined that the act was performed without Jin’s consent during a fan-meeting session.
The incident took place in June 2024 at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in the Songpa District of Seoul, shortly after Jin, whose real name is Kim Seok-jin, completed his mandatory military service. During a segment of the event that involved hugs, the woman unexpectedly approached Jin and kissed him on the cheek. This encounter was captured in videos that quickly circulated across social media platforms.
The incident prompted swift outrage from fans, many of whom submitted complaints through South Korea’s National Petition System, arguing that the woman’s actions were inappropriate in a public setting. Initially, the Songpa Police launched an investigation but had to suspend it in March due to delays and the lack of the suspect’s cooperation. However, the woman later voluntarily appeared for questioning, leading police to find the allegations credible and subsequently refer the case to prosecutors.
Following his military service, Jin has resumed his public appearances and promotional activities. As of now, neither he nor his agency, Big Hit Music, has commented publicly on this particular incident, leaving fans and observers to await further developments. The situation highlights the ongoing discussions around consent and the importance of respecting personal boundaries, especially in public interactions with celebrities.