Japanese woman under investigation for kissing BTS's Jin

A Japanese woman is under investigation by South Korean police for allegedly kissing Jin, a member of the South Korean pop group BTS, at a fan event last year.

South Korean police have requested that the woman, who is currently in Japan, voluntarily come forward for questioning, as she is accused of sexual harassment in a public place. Police stated that they have confirmed the woman's identity with the assistance of Japanese police, but have not yet released it.

The incident occurred last June when Jin held his first public event in Seoul, where he hugged 1,000 fans. However, this woman apparently kissed him on the cheek, causing Jin to turn his face away. This action angered other BTS fans, one of whom filed a criminal complaint with the police, leading to the police investigation.

Jin, whose real name is Kim Seok-jin, held a fan event on June 13, 2024, the day after his discharge from military service, hugging 1,000 fans and performing songs in front of an audience of 3,000. During the three-hour "hug event," fans who had the opportunity to hug lined up to meet the 33-year-old star. However, the act of one person kissing Jin on the cheek caused a great uproar. Related videos quickly spread online, showing Jin appearing surprised by the gesture, trying to turn his head as he hugged the woman, and then quickly turning to the next fan. Fans also expressed anger at her behavior.

The woman later wrote on her blog that she kissed his "neck" and that his "skin was very soft." The BBC has contacted BTS's agency, HYBE, for comment.

Jin is the first member of BTS to complete his military service. He was followed by J-Hope, who was discharged in October. The other four members—V, RM, Jimin, Jungkook, and Suga—are still serving, and the band is not expected to reunite until June 2025.

It is well known that K-pop idols maintain close relationships with their fan base through various communication channels and activities. Artists often interact with fans through live social media chats and in-person events to cultivate a loyal following. However, fans and management companies are also increasingly aware of some toxic fan culture. For example, many artists have publicly stated that they are under pressure from "sasaeng fans," who are excessively obsessed with their idols and stalk and harass them.