In brief
The probe concerns allegations of sexual harassment after the woman reportedly kissed Jin without his consent during a fan event in Seoul.
The South Korean police have called in a Japanese woman for questioning regarding an incident where she allegedly kissed Jin, a member of the globally renowned K-pop sensation BTS, during a public event held in Seoul last year. The woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, attended the gathering in June 2024, which marked Jin’s return after completing his mandatory military service in South Korea.During the event, Jin—whose real name is Kim Seok-jin—was engaging with fans, offering hugs, when the woman reportedly leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. Video footage of the moment, which went viral, captured Jin appearing visibly uncomfortable with the encounter, particularly as he faced multiple instances of fans trying to kiss him. Following this, a formal complaint was lodged with law enforcement via an official government portal, prompting an investigation into the matter.Authorities have confirmed that with the cooperation of Japanese police, they have identified the woman involved. As per the Songpa police station in southern Seoul, if she agrees to the summons, she may face questioning related to possible charges of sexual harassment. Police have not specified what actions they may take if the woman does not comply with the summons. Reports from South Korean media indicate that the woman may be in her fifties and has openly boasted online about the kiss with Jin, referring to his “soft” skin.Meanwhile, Hybe, the agency that manages BTS, did not provide an immediate comment regarding the incident. Notably, despite the historical tensions between South Korea and Japan due to colonial rule in the early 20th century, there remains a vibrant exchange of tourism, particularly attracting Japanese fans to South Korean cultural phenomena like K-dramas and K-pop.BTS, famously celebrated by their international fanbase known as the "Army," has been on a break as the band members complete their required military services, with Jin being the first to enlist in 2022. They are expected to regroup this year upon the return of all members from military duty.
