South Korean Authorities Question Japanese Fan Over Non-Consensual Kiss to BTS Star

South Korean law enforcement is probing a Japanese woman for allegedly kissing BTS star Jin without his consent during a public event last year, amid growing scrutiny of fan behavior and consent issues in celebrity culture.

The South Korean police are investigating an incident involving a Japanese woman accused of kissing Jin, a member of the internationally renowned K-pop group BTS, without his consent during a public event in Seoul last June. The event in question celebrated Jin's return from mandatory military service after 18 months. Eyewitness accounts relayed that the woman, unidentified at the time, kissed Jin on the cheek while he was greeting fans, a moment that was later captured on video and widely circulated online.

The footage showed Jin appearing uncomfortable, which prompted a formal complaint to authorities via a government website. Following the complaint, police from South Korea and Japan collaborated to locate the woman, reportedly in her 50s, who boasted online about the encounter, describing Jin's skin as “soft.”

According to the Songpa police station in Seoul, if the woman complies with the summons, she will be questioned under potential charges of sexual harassment. The police have not disclosed further actions they may take if she fails to respond to the summons.

Hybe, the management company behind BTS, has yet to issue a statement regarding the situation. The incident has reignited discussions about the boundaries of celebrity fandom, particularly concerning historical tensions between Korea and Japan that affect fan interactions across borders. Despite these tensions, K-pop has successful appeal in Japan, leading to strong tourism and cultural exchanges.

Jin, 32, was the first member of BTS to serve in the military, with all seven members expected to reunite this year as they complete their service. The situation underscores the increasingly complex dynamics between celebrity culture and fan engagement in a rapidly evolving entertainment landscape.