Japanese woman under investigation for kissing BTS’s Jin at fan event

A Japanese woman is facing an investigation by South Korean police after kissing BTS's Jin during a fan event last year, an incident that has sparked controversy among the K-pop community.

The incident took place during Jin's first public fan event in Seoul on June 13, 2024, the day after his discharge from military service. The event, which saw the K-pop idol hug 1,000 fans, turned uncomfortable when the woman not only embraced him but also appeared to kiss his face. Jin, visibly taken aback, turned his head away, and quickly moved on to the next fan.

The moment was captured on video, which later went viral, drawing criticism from fans. One fan filed a formal criminal complaint, leading South Korean authorities to open an investigation.

South Korean police have identified the woman with the help of their Japanese counterparts and are now requesting her to return to South Korea for questioning. The woman, who has not been publicly named, later wrote on her blog, describing the kiss as a moment where she kissed Jin’s neck, noting that his skin was “very soft.”

BTS's agency, HYBE, has not yet commented on the matter.

Jin, whose real name is Kim Seok-jin, is the first BTS member to be discharged from military duty. He was followed by J-Hope, who was discharged in October. The remaining members—V, RM, Jimin, Jungkook, and Suga—are still serving, with the band expected to reunite in June 2025.

Previously, YouTuber Sojang, also known as Taldeok Camp, had been convicted in a defamation lawsuit filed by BTS members V and Jungkook and had to pay 76 million KRW ($53,000) for spreading defamatory content about K-Pop Idols including V and JungKook.

The incident highlights growing concerns over toxic fan cultures in K-pop. While idols like Jin often cultivate close relationships with their fans through events and social media, there have been increasing instances of problematic behavior from some fans. Known as "sasaeng fans," these obsessive individuals have been known to stalk, harass, and invade the privacy of K-pop stars. The industry has been grappling with the negative impact of such behaviors, with many artists speaking out about the stress and discomfort caused by extreme fan obsession.