Differences between Japanese and Korean fan culture as seen in the BTS Jin “assault” kiss incident: Why did a Japanese female fan “run amok”?

Why the Korean police took this unusual move

The exuberance of “meeting your guess,” has she crossed the line?

On June 13, 2012, a series of “forced kissing” incidents by Japanese female fans occurred at a “hugging event” for BTS’ Jin (32) in Seoul, Korea.

At the center of the problem was a Japanese woman in her 50s. During a hug, she suddenly brought her face close to Jin’s and tried to kiss him on the cheek. Jin is surprised. However, he did not disrupt the proceedings and continued to respond to the fan with a smile until the end.

However, when this whole thing was spread on SNS, it caused a firestorm in Korea, “Isn’t that obvious sexual harassment?” and a huge firestorm erupted. Fans filed a complaint with the police, leading to an unprecedented international investigation.

Normally, such problems are treated as “nuisances” by the management and are rarely made public. This time, however, was different. The police determined that the Japanese woman’s actions constituted “clear sexual assault” and could be charged with indecent exposure in a public place.

Immediately after the incident, testimonies were flying around among fans that Jin had a perplexed expression on his face. And the definitive proof was a SNS blog posted by the woman in question herself.

《Lips touched her neck. Her skin was soft.

The Seoul Songpa Police Station confirmed this post and, upon receiving a petition from the public, launched an investigation. In July, the Korean National Police Agency requested Japan’s cooperation in the investigation through the International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO).

In July, the Korean National Police Agency requested Japan’s cooperation in the investigation through the International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO). Strict rules are in place when they are held. That is why an act like this can’t be just a nuisance, and it is only natural that it will be dealt with legally,” said a South Korean event management official.

In January 2013, after a seven-month investigation, the Korean police identified a woman in her 50s living in Japan. In January 2013, after about seven months of investigation, the Korean police identified a woman in her 50s living in Japan and charged her with “indecent assault in a public place. On February 27, the Korean police announced that they had requested the woman to appear before them. This news was widely reported not only in Korea but also in the BBC and other international media.

However, the woman has not responded to the request to appear (as of March 5).