• A Japanese woman is under investigation for allegedly kissing K-pop star Jin without consent.
• The incident took place during a fan event in Seoul shortly after Jin’s military discharge.
• The woman, reportedly in her 50s, has been summoned by South Korean police for questioning.
• Police received a formal complaint after a video of the incident went viral, showing Jin's discomfort.

South Korean police announced on Friday that they are investigating a Japanese woman for allegedly kissing Jin, a member of the globally renowned K-pop group BTS, without his consent during a public event last June. This gathering took place shortly after Jin, whose real name is Kim Seok-jin, completed an 18-month mandatory military service. The police at Seoul's Songpa station confirmed they summoned the woman for questioning regarding the allegation of sexual harassment in a public space. The authorities have chosen not to disclose her identity due to privacy concerns, as reported by India Times.

The incident occurred during a free hug event attended by approximately 1,000 fans eager to meet Jin as he celebrated both his military discharge and the band's 11-year anniversary. During this three-hour "hugathon," a woman unexpectedly kissed Jin on the cheek, which led him to turn away in discomfort, as captured in virally shared video footage. Following the incident, another fan filed a formal complaint online, which prompted the police investigation, as noted by BBC.

Local media outlets further identified the woman, utilizing information provided by Japanese police. Despite being reached for questioning, she has reportedly declined to cooperate. The woman later commented in a blog post about the kiss, detailing that “my lips touched his neck. His skin was so soft,” echoing sentiments noted by South China Morning Post.

This incident reflects ongoing concerns regarding fan behavior within celebrity culture, particularly within K-pop, where the relationship between artists and their fan base is notably intense. While K-pop stars often engage with their fans through in-person events and social media, the boundaries of such interactions are increasingly being scrutinized. The New York Times reported that South Korean authorities emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, indicating that the investigation will proceed regardless of the woman's actions. Fans and agencies alike continue to grapple with the implications of toxic fandom behaviors as the popularity of K-pop endures globally.