[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Kris (Chinese name Wu Yifan), a former member of the idol group EXO, has been arrested by Chinese public security on charges of rape.
The Chaoyang Branch of the Beijing Public Security Bureau announced late at night on July 31 (local time) via Weibo, "An investigation was conducted regarding the online allegations that Wu ○ Fan (Wu Yifan) repeatedly lured underage women into sexual relations," and stated, "Currently, Wu ○ Fan, a Canadian national, is being criminally detained on charges of rape, and the investigation is ongoing."
Criminal detention in China corresponds to an arrest in South Korea.
The public security authorities did not disclose detailed charges against Kris.
Kris's sexual assault allegations surfaced following revelations by Du Meizhu, who claimed to be Kris's ex-girlfriend.
On the 18th, Du Meizhu revealed in an interview with the online media Wangyi Entertainment that Kris had seduced many women for sexual relations. She claimed that there were more than eight victims, including herself, and that two of them were minors, causing a major uproar in China.
Subsequently, Kris's side filed a complaint accusing Du Meizhu of extortion, alleging that she demanded a large sum of money by threatening to expose his secrets. The public security authorities then launched simultaneous investigations into both Kris's sexual assault allegations and the extortion case filed by Kris against Du Meizhu.
In the interim investigation results announced on the 22nd of last month, the public security concluded that although there was an extortionist, it was not Du Meizhu but a man impersonating her.
At that time, the public security stated that Kris had called Du Meizhu to his home last December under the pretext of interviewing for the female lead in a music video, had sexual relations with her, and that subsequent contact between them was confirmed. They added that the investigation into whether there were sexual crimes against Du Meizhu and other women would continue.
In China, it is extremely rare for a suspect criminally detained by public security to be cleared of charges later. Therefore, it is highly likely that Kris will be prosecuted for rape.
Shortly after Du Meizhu's allegations surfaced, Kris stated on his Weibo that if the allegations were true, he would "walk into prison on his own."
As his image plummeted due to the sexual crime allegations, brands such as Lanc?me and snack brand Liangpin Foods removed advertisements featuring Kris or terminated contracts with him.
Kris, a Chinese-Canadian, became a top star in China as a singer and actor after filing a lawsuit in 2014 against the Korean agency SM Entertainment to nullify his exclusive contract and subsequently working in China.
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