Japanese Woman in Her 50s Indicted for Forcibly Kissing BTS’s Jin During Fan Event
Seoul, South Korea — A Japanese woman in her 50s has been formally indicted by South Korean prosecutors for allegedly forcibly kissing Jin, a member of global K-pop supergroup BTS, at a fan “hug” event held in Seoul last year.
According to the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office, the woman — identified only as “A” — faces charges under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes for “forcible molestation.” � Prosecutors filed the indictment on November 12, but did not seek her pretrial detention. �
allkpop
allkpop
The incident occurred on June 13, 2024, just one day after Jin (real name Kim Seok-jin) completed his mandatory 18-month military service. The singer organized a “free hug” fan event at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul, where approximately 1,000 lucky fans were allowed to embrace him. �
The Korea Times +2
Video footage of the event, which has circulated online, shows the woman leaning in during a hug and kissing Jin on the cheek. In the clip, Jin appears visibly surprised and shifts away. �
The Korea Times +1
Following the event, the woman posted on her blog about the moment, writing that “my lips touched his neck … his skin was incredibly soft.” � That post, widely shared by fans and media, intensified public criticism and helped prompt a formal complaint.
The Korea Times +1
Authorities later opened an investigation after a third party submitted an online petition alleging sexual harassment. � The Songpa Police Station in Seoul, which handled the case, worked with Japanese authorities to identify the suspect. �
Korea Joongang Daily
SBS Star
In February 2025, the woman was officially “booked” — a term used by Korean police to indicate formal charges — on counts of sexual harassment in a public setting. � However, the investigation stalled in March. The police announced they were suspending active investigation, citing procedural delays and the fact that the woman had been abroad for more than two months. � Under Korean law, investigations can be suspended when a suspect remains overseas for an extended time and cannot be questioned. �
The Korea Times
The Korea Times +2
Korea Joongang Daily
Later, the woman entered South Korea voluntarily and appeared before police, enabling the investigation to resume. � In May 2025, she was formally transferred to prosecutors for review and possible prosecution. �
The Korea Times
The Korea Times +1
Public reaction to the case has been intense. Many BTS fans — known as the “ARMY” — expressed outrage that someone would cross personal boundaries during what was meant to be a celebratory, joyful event. Critics argue that the case underscores the importance of respecting consent, even in seemingly innocent fan interactions.
Legal experts say the indictment signals a broader shift: non-consensual acts at celebrity fan events are being treated with much greater seriousness. While hugging may be permitted, anything beyond that — particularly unexpected physical contact — can amount to criminal harassment.
As of now, Jin’s agency, HYBE, has not released a detailed public comment. The case now moves to the prosecutorial phase, where formal charges will be weighed and possibly brought to trial.
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