A KISS WITHOUT CONSENT: WHAT JIN’S INCIDENT TELLS US ABOUT MODERN FANDOM In a cultural landscape where proximity between global stars and devoted fans is both celebrated and carefully structured, a recent legal development has brought the issue of personal boundaries back into focus. During a fan event in June 2024, BTS member Jin — widely admired for his composed presence and dignified approach to fame — was subjected to unwanted physical contact when a fan forcibly kissed him without consent. The incident, captured on video, circulated briefly at the time but drew wider public attention following official legal action. In November 2025, the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office indicted the woman involved, a Japanese national in her 50s, on charges of indecent assault. The indictment was made without detention, yet it holds clear legal and symbolic significance. Such moments serve as a necessary reminder: admiration does not equate to access. In an industry defined by emotio...