A Japanese woman has been accused of kissing BTS member Jin on the cheek during a meet-and-greet event last year has been indicted by South Korean police.
In June last year, the Japanese woman, who is reportedly in her 50s, kissed him without his permission during a free hug event in Seoul.
Fans worldwide were stunned to see footage of Jin looking startled as the woman leaned in and planted a kiss on his cheek. According to her own blog post, she felt Jin’s soft skin when her lips unexpectedly touched his neck.
This incident has recently resurfaced because the South Korean police decided to open an official investigation. The police received an online complaint about the unwanted kiss, which led them to summon the Japanese woman for questioning.
The authorities at the Songpa police station in Seoul, where BTS originally formed their fandom, officially indicted the woman on charges of sexual harassment in a public space. They’re coordinating with Japanese police who have confirmed her identity but she is reportedly refusing to appear for questioning.
For many fans, Jin’s free hug event was supposed to be a joyous occasion to celebrate his discharge from mandatory Korean military service. About 1,000 lucky fans had won a raffle to attend this special meet-and-greet and receive hugs from the beloved singer.
Ever since the incident, fans have discussed whether the woman should face harsher repercussions for her actions. Many argue that even a brief, spontaneous kiss can be a form of sexual harassment, especially when it is done without permission while others see it as a massive overreaction.
The South Korean police are clearly taking this matter seriously, as they have even considered calling Jin in to provide a formal statement. However, it’s still unclear if he will participate in the investigation, since he has already moved on to new projects.
BTS debuted in 2013 and quickly rose to global stardom with hits like “DNA” and “Boy With Luv.” The group’s fans, known as the BTS Army, are recognized for their dedication, enthusiasm, and strong sense of community.
Because Jin is the oldest member, he was the first to finish his mandatory 18 months of military service before returning to his everyday life and the spotlight.
Another BTS member, J-Hope, wrapped up his military duties in October. The other members, V, RM, Jimin, Jungkook, and Suga, are still serving, leaving fans to speculate about when the entire group will finally reunite.
Rumors have been swirling about their highly anticipated reunion, which may not happen until 2025 or 2026. Still, fans continue to support each member’s solo projects, from Suga’s Agust D tour to J-Hope’s upcoming album.
Jin himself has released new music, including some collaborations. One of his well-known tracks, “The Astronaut,” was co-written with the band Coldplay and showed off his vocal range.
During the band’s 11th debut anniversary in June 2024, Jin also performed an extended version of his 2021 single “Super Tuna.” This catchy tune was praised by fans, who love his playful energy and fish-themed dance moves.
Police are stressing that even in a bustling public crowd, actions like unsolicited kisses are not acceptable and may be punishable by law. The Japanese woman’s refusal to cooperate with the investigation suggests that the situation could become more complicated.
Fans online have traded opinions on the best possible resolution. Some are calling for the Japanese woman to apologize openly to Jin and the BTS community, while others want her to face stricter consequences to discourage similar behavior.
Regardless, this incident has opened up conversations about how fans should conduct themselves at meet-and-greet events. Respecting personal boundaries and communicating clearly is a must, even in the midst of excitement.
As news of the free hug incident continues to spread, many fans are simply hoping for it all to be resolved quickly and fairly. They want Jin to receive the respect he deserves and feel safe hosting future fan events.
The case is eerily similar to the now infamous Women’s World Cup final kiss in 2023 where the Spanish FA President, Luis Rubiales, kissed one of the players on the lips after winning and was consequently vilified, forced out of his job before facing criminal proceedings for it.
