A Japanese woman in her 50s has been formally indicted without detention in South Korea on charges of forcible harassment (also referred to as indecent assault) after allegedly kissing BTS member Jin without his consent at a fan meeting.

The woman, identified as “A,” has reportedly expressed her shock and claimed she is being treated unfairly, stating,

“I never imagined this would be considered a crime.”

The alleged incident took place in June 2024, the day after Jin completed his mandatory military service, during his highly anticipated “Free Hug” fan meeting at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul.

The event allowed approximately 1,000 lucky fans to personally greet and hug the artist.

  • The Accusation: The woman is accused of forcibly kissing Jin on the cheek during her interaction, an act that visibly surprised and discomforted the idol, as shown in widely circulated footage.
  • Fan Outrage and Complaint: The moment quickly spread across social media, leading to widespread outrage within the ARMY fanbase. Several fans subsequently filed complaints through the government’s Civil Petition Service, requesting an investigation for “harassment in a crowded public place.”
  • Indictment: The Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office indicted her without detention on November 12, 2025. Prosecutors charged her with sexual assault/indecent assault, confirming that the act constituted a criminal violation of personal space and dignity.

Investigation Timeline

The case faced significant delays due to the suspect’s residency, requiring cooperation between international police forces:

Date Event Details

  • June 2024 Incident Occurs Woman forcibly kisses Jin on the cheek at the fan meeting.
  • June 2024 – March 2025 Initial Investigation Seoul Songpa Police launch a probe; however, the woman returns to Japan. Police work with Interpol to identify her, but the investigation is temporarily suspended in March due to the suspect’s unavailability abroad.
  • Early 2025 Voluntary Return The woman voluntarily returns to Korea to appear for questioning by the police.
  • May 2025 Case Forwarded Seoul Songpa Police conclude that her actions constituted a crime and forward the case to prosecutors.
  • November 12, 2025 Indictment Prosecutors formally indict the woman without detention on charges of forcible harassment/indecent assault.

The woman’s defense that she “didn’t think it was a crime” contrasts sharply with South Korea’s firm legal stance on sexual harassment and assault:

  • Korean Law: Under current South Korean law, forcible harassment in a public space can result in penalties of up to one year in jail or a fine of approximately 3 million won (about $2,150) if convicted. More severe laws, such as Article 298 of the Criminal Act (Indecent Act by Compulsion), carry penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment or a fine of up to 15 million KRW.
  • Legal Message: The successful indictment, despite the international complications and initial suspension, sends a strong message from Korean authorities regarding the need to protect personal dignity and boundaries, emphasizing that such non-consensual physical contact, regardless of the fan’s intent, constitutes a criminal act.

BLACKPINK’s Jisoo recently featured in a pictorial and interview for the December issue of ELLE Korea, sharing her thoughts on her favorite season, her most memorable tour moment, and her philosophical approach to love and self-care.

The interview highlights the global star’s introspective side amid her busy schedule, which includes the ongoing “DEADLINE” tour and her recent solo musical releases.

Winter Plans and Favorite Tour Memory

Jisoo revealed that winter is her favorite season and shared her simple yet cozy plans for the upcoming cold months:

  • Winter Wish: She noted that time flew quickly to December and expressed a desire to spend this winter “especially warmly.”
  • Ideal Scene: She hopes to stay “cozy under a blanket at home and watch the snow fall,” emphasizing that she doesn’t want to miss the sight of falling snow.

When asked to name her most memorable moment from BLACKPINK’s “DEADLINE” tour, she immediately chose a moment of intimate connection with her fans, BLINKs:

BLACKPINK - 1

Jisoo in ELLE cover page (Credit: Instagram)

  • Memorable Moment: She cherishes the instance when BLINKs turn on their smartphone lights and wave them together as the group performs their emotional track, “STAY.” She anticipates this memory will remain a great source of strength during difficult times. This song is a known setlist track on the “DEADLINE” World Tour.

Exploring the Concept of Love in Music

Jisoo discussed the thematic direction of her recent solo music, which has consistently explored the various facets of love.

Her journey began with her solo album “AMORTAGE” in February 2025 (which included the tracks “Earthquake”, “Your Love”, “Tears”, and “Hugs & Kisses”), and continued with her new single, “ EYES CLOSED ,” a collaboration featuring former One Direction member Zayn Malik.

  • Musical Theme: She explained that most human emotions are naturally “connected to love,” which results in her organically exploring different kinds of love in her music. The title of her solo album, AMORTAGE, is itself a portmanteau of the Latin word “amor” (love) and “montage,” reflecting its themes of emotional stages of a relationship.
  • The Perfect Love: When questioned about the most perfect form of love, Jisoo offered a mature and realistic perspective: “I don’t think perfect love exists.” She suggests that the final stage of love involves “when two people come to understand each other and live in a way that brings them as close to perfection as possible.”

Philosophy on Self-Care and Resilience

Regarding her personal practice of self-love, Jisoo’s answer highlighted her consistent and unwavering self-assurance:

  • Self-Care: She stated that she has “always cherished and taken good care of myself” and simply hopes to “continue living this way.”
  • Resilience: Her desire is to maintain her inner strength, hoping to “remember that I always have myself and overcome it without being shaken by even the smallest breeze” whenever hard times arise.

Jisoo’s full pictorial and detailed interview are available in the December issue of ELLE Korea.