Jessi's Photo with Koala Involved in 'Fan Assault' Sparks Spread on SNS...

Producer Participated in Jay's Music
Victim Also Claims "Like a Korean Gang"

Singer Jessi is facing growing controversy as photos showing the Koala producer, involved in a fan assault incident, in a friendly pose have spread online.

On the 19th, photos were posted on online communities and social networking services (SNS) showing Jessi and the Koala producer posing closely with their faces together and sharing physical contact.

Earlier, in the early morning of the 28th of last month in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, a minor identified as A requested to take a photo with Jessi but was assaulted by Jessi’s party, including being punched in the stomach.

At the time of the incident, Jessi tried to stop the situation at the scene but then left. The police, who responded to A’s report, found Jessi’s party drinking near the scene. However, the man who assaulted A had already left.

CCTV footage capturing the incident showed Koala, one of the party members, seemingly threatening the victim. Koala is a figure who participated in Jessi’s songs such as “Cold Blood” and “NUNU NANA.”

Jessi and Koala Producer Photo by Online Community Capture

A claimed that Koala, who was with Jessi, seemed to be part of a Korean gang. In response, Jessi’s legal representative stated, “Jessi has no connection with any gang, and we have no knowledge whether Koala is part of a gang.”

Jessi, Koala, and two other members of their party were sued by the victim on charges including assault. The police summoned Koala as a suspect for questioning on the 11th. Jessi also appeared at the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul on the 16th for investigation.

Jessi stated, “I hope the person who hit him is found quickly and punished. I met the perpetrator for the first time on the day of the incident. We have no relation with him; he is a Chinese friend of a producer close to me.”

Meanwhile, controversy intensified as a woman who previously filed a complaint claiming she was gang assaulted by Jessi and her party at an Itaewon club asserted, “I was hit by Jessi. The tactic of denying knowledge of the perpetrator is exactly the same.”

On the other hand, Jessi’s agency DOD announced on the 18th, “We have had many discussions about future activities with Jessi, and at Jessi’s request, after careful consideration, we have decided to terminate the exclusive contract as of October 18, 2024.”