An Event Only for 'Hugs' Turns into 'Neck Hugging and Kissing'... Ultimately Reported as Sexual Harassment

Songpa Police Station Receives Civil Complaint Submitted via National Sinmungo
Complaint Alleging Violation of Sexual Violence Punishment Act

Group BTS member Jin (Kim Seok-jin) was reported for sexual harassment after a fan unexpectedly kissed him during a 'free hug' event at an offline fan meeting held to commemorate his military discharge.

On the 14th, the Songpa Police Station in Seoul announced that it had received a complaint case involving a violation of the Sexual Violence Punishment Act submitted through the National Petition System. On the same day, BTS fan A filed a complaint requesting an investigation into the fan who attempted to kiss Jin, accusing them of violating the Sexual Violence Punishment Act.

At the '2024 FESTA' Part 1 hug event held on the 13th, an inconsiderate fan is seen trying to kiss or hug Jin.
[Photo by X (formerly Twitter) capture]

A explained the reason for filing the complaint, saying, "As a fan who regularly enjoys BTS's music, I could not help but feel anger." He added, "Since 2013, with the complete abolition of the requirement for a victim's complaint and the prohibition of withdrawal of consent in sexual crimes, third-party reports have become possible for all sexual crimes under the Criminal Act, including rape and forced molestation, as well as all sexual crimes under special laws such as molestation in public places like subways and obscene acts using communication media like the internet." He further explained, "I reported the fans who sexually harassed Jin to the police for violating Article 11 of the Sexual Violence Punishment Act, 'molestation in crowded public places.'"

A emphasized that the 'sexual harassment' by some fans infringed upon Jin's sexual self-determination rights. He criticized, "Some BTS fans took advantage of the nature of the 'hug event,' where explicit and active resistance or avoidance was difficult," and said, "They caused sexual shame and disgust and committed 'sexual harassment' contrary to sound sexual morals, infringing upon the victim Jin's sexual self-determination rights."

Jin attended the '2024 FESTA' held in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 13th. The first part was a 'hug event' where Jin gave free hugs to 1,000 fans to commemorate his military discharge. Participants in the hug event were selected by lottery from BTS Weverse membership subscribers who purchased Jin's solo single 'The Astronaut' or BTS's 'Proof.'

During the hug event, Jin wore a sign around his neck that read 'Hug me' and hugged fans one by one. When a male fan appeared among numerous female fans, Jin warmly embraced him, saying, "Feel free to come in," and the event generally proceeded smoothly, with Jin even exchanging brief well-wishes. However, some fans caused controversy by kissing Jin on the cheek or attempting to kiss him, displaying selfish behavior.

Videos posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) clearly showed a female fan trying to kiss Jin on the cheek, with Jin quickly dodging. In another video, a different female fan wrapped her arms around Jin's neck and kissed his cheek. Jin appeared momentarily startled while hugging these fans but immediately moved on to the next fan with a smile, continuing the hugs. These videos quickly spread online. Netizens reacted with anger, saying things like, "They don't seem like real fans," "They should be identified and sued," "Trying to kiss in such a short time is really something," "This is outright sexual harassment," and "If I were Jin, I would have felt truly humiliated."

The global fan club ARMY also expressed outrage over the incident. They raised their voices with comments such as, "Is such rudeness tolerated in Korea?" "How dare they sexually harass Jin," "It's painful not being able to attend the fan meeting because I live in another country, and thinking about Jin's suffering makes it even harder," and "Don't touch Jin's body carelessly," while demanding more active protection of the artist from the agency.

Jin of the group BTS salutes as he is discharged from the Army 5th Division Recruit Training Battalion in Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi-do on the morning of the 12th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Jin enlisted as an active-duty soldier in the army in December 2022 and was discharged on the 12th. He impressed fans by showing enthusiasm by participating in an official event meeting fans the day after his discharge. After the event, Jin shared his thoughts, saying, "It was more fun and exciting than I expected," and added, "If I had multiple bodies, I could have hugged more people in one day, but I could only hug 1,000 today, so I feel a bit regretful. I hope to do it once more before I die."

Currently, BTS members J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V, and Jungkook are fulfilling their military service obligations, while Suga is serving as a social service agent.