Japanese Woman Charged for Forcibly Kissing BTS Member Jin in Seoul

SEOUL, South Korea – A Japanese woman has been indicted for allegedly kissing Jin, a member of the K-pop group BTS, without consent during a fan event in June 2024. The indictment was issued by the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office on November 12, 2025, and comes amid significant public outrage regarding the incident.

The woman, identified only as Ms. A and in her 50s, reportedly kissed Jin on the cheek while attending a ‘Free Hug’ event at the Jamsil Indoor Stadium, where around 1,000 fans were present. Footage from the event shows Jin visibly startled as she pulled him close, a moment that quickly spread online and sparked investigations by local authorities.

South Korean police initially opened an inquiry after receiving reports of the incident. Although the investigation stalled for several months, it gained traction when Ms. A voluntarily returned to South Korea for questioning earlier this year. Prosecutors have now charged her under the Sexual Violence Punishment Act, which could lead to significant legal consequences.

Jung Tae Won, an attorney with LKB Pyeonsan Law Firm, explained, “While a free hug presupposes a voluntary embrace, a kiss clearly exceeds the scope of the act.” He noted that Ms. A might face up to a year in prison or a fine of up to 30 million KRW, approximately $20,500.

The case has raised broader concerns regarding the safety of artists during fan interactions. Jin, currently 32 years old, has continued with his professional career following his military service, including a successful solo album and a global concert tour. As the case moves forward, the upcoming trial will delineate the potential legal repercussions for Ms. A, highlighting the continuing discussion around consent in fan interactions.