Japanese woman who tried to forcibly kiss Jin at BTS fan meet gets indicted without detention

The event, held at Jamsil Indoor Stadium the day after Jin completed his necessary military service, was designed as an intimate "hugathon," allowing over 1,000 lucky fans to meet and hug the BTS member. During her turn, the Japanese woman approached Jin and kissed his cheek without his permission, clearly startling him, as video footage released online highlighted his discomfort. The surprise behaviour swiftly circulated over social media sites, eliciting both fury from the BTS Army and demands for legal action.

The Songpa police were first unable to contact the woman, who had returned to Japan shortly after the incident, causing the investigation to be briefly suspended. Several months later, she voluntarily returned to South Korea, appeared for questioning, and admitted to the accusation.

The legal proceedings

Investigators found that the woman had committed forced harassment after reviewing the evidence, which included statements, a widely distributed video, and her own confessions. The case was referred to prosecutors, who indicted her last week.

The case sparked new issues about celebrity respect and safety at fan events, as well as commentary on both sides of the East Sea regarding the duties of fans attending large-scale public meetings. Korean authorities highlighted their commitment to defending personal dignity, regardless of the celebrity's status or the fan's seemingly innocent intentions. If convicted under current Korean legislation, forcible harassment in a public place can result in up to a year in prison or a fine of roughly 3 million won (about Rs 1.83 Lakhs).

This case serves as a sharp reminder that, even in times of excitement and adoration, supporters must respect boundaries and personal space.