In brief
A Japanese woman is under investigation for kissing BTS's Jin during a fan event, drawing the ire of fellow fans and raising concerns about public behavior.
In a surprising turn of events, a Japanese woman is currently a focus of a South Korean police investigation for kissing BTS member Jin during a fan event last year. The incident took place last June, shortly after Jin, whose real name is Kim Seok-jin, returned from military service and hosted a massive "hugathon" event in Seoul. Jin embraced 1,000 fans in a three-hour session, but one woman crossed the line by kissing him unexpectedly on the face, which prompted a quick reaction from him—he turned his head away. The woman's actions caused quite an uproar among fans, with many expressing their anger online. One fan went as far as filing a criminal complaint that led the police to initiate an investigation for sexual harassment in a public space. Though her identity remains confidential, authorities in South Korea have collaborated with Japanese counterparts to identify her.In a blog post after the kiss, she claimed to have pecked Jin on his neck, stating, "the skin was very soft." While fans generally enjoy close interactions with artists during events, such behavior has raised alarm about toxic fan culture. BTS continues to be immensely popular, with Jin being the first member discharged from military service, followed closely by J-Hope. Other members are still serving, delaying a full reunion until June 2025.
