South Korean Police Probe Incident Involving Japanese Woman and BTS Member Jin

The police in South Korea have summoned a Japanese woman for questioning concerning accusations of non-consensual kissing of BTS member Jin during a public event last summer, prompting discussions around fan interactions and personal boundaries.

The South Korean police have initiated an investigation into a Japanese woman following allegations that she kissed Jin, a member of the globally renowned K-pop group BTS, without consent during a fan interaction event last year. The incident took place in June 2024 in Seoul, at a gathering celebrating Jin’s discharge from military service after completing his 18-month duty.

During the event, which was attended by numerous fans, Jin—whose birth name is Kim Seok-jin—was offering hugs when the woman unexpectedly leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. Video footage that circulated widely online captured Jin's visibly uncomfortable reaction as he interacted with the fans, highlighting the potential concerns regarding personal boundaries in such settings.

In response to the incident, a formal legal complaint was lodged on a government website, prompting the authorities to investigate. The Songpa police station in southern Seoul identified the woman with the assistance of Japanese law enforcement. According to police statements, if she agrees to the summons, the woman may face questioning related to possible charges of sexual harassment, although the police did not disclose further action if the summons is ignored.

While details about the woman remain scant, South Korean media reports indicate that she is in her 50s and has boasted online about the brief encounter with Jin, referring to his "soft" skin.

BTS, managed by the company Hybe, has enjoyed significant popularity in Japan, despite historical tensions stemming from Japan's colonial rule over Korea in the early 20th century. The band has captivated a dedicated international fanbase, known as the BTS “Army,” and has recently been on hiatus as members fulfill their mandatory military obligations. Jin, now 32 and the eldest member of the group, was the first to enlist in 2022, with the group expected to reunite later this year once all members complete their service.