A Japanese woman in her 50s, identified as A, who was indicted for forcibly kissing BTS member Jin, is set to face trial in Korea next July raising widespread shock and debate after she publicly questioned, “Is a kiss a crime?”
The Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office indicted A without detention in November on charges of forcible molestation. According to court officials, the Seoul Eastern District Court’s Criminal Division 9 plans to hold two hearings for her case in July next year.
The incident occurred on June 13, 2024, during BTS Jin’s “Free Hug” fan event held at Jamsil Arena in Songpa-gu, Seoul. As Jin greeted fans, A reportedly hugged him and suddenly kissed him on the cheek without consent. Jin immediately turned away, visibly startled and uncomfortable.
Shockingly, A later boasted on her social media, writing, “My lips touched Jin’s neck. His skin was very soft.”
Fans who witnessed the act filed complaints through the Korean National Petition System, accusing A of committing molestation in a public, crowded space. Songpa Police opened an investigation and summoned her, but due to the time expected for questioning, the case was temporarily suspended in March.
However, A eventually returned to Korea and voluntarily appeared before police. Investigators concluded that her actions did constitute forcible molestation, and the case was forwarded to prosecutors.
Prosecutors rejected her argument that it was merely “light physical contact with a celebrity” and that she had no criminal intent. Officials cited the unwanted physical contact, her post-incident remarks, and the victim’s clear discomfort as grounds for upholding the charge.
In an interview with Japan’s TBS News, A expressed distress over her indictment, saying, “I’m upset. I didn’t think this would be considered a crime.”
The incident, which took place during an event attended by 1,000 fans, continues to fuel heated discussion about boundaries, fan behavior, and the legal consequences of non-consensual contact with celebrities. Fans await the upcoming trial as Jin continues his activities following his military discharge.
Sources: Daum
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