BTS’ Jungkook faces break-in attempt hours after South Korean military discharge
The Chinese fan was caught trying to gain entry into his Seoul flat by repeatedly pressing the keypad door lock
A Chinese woman has been arrested for attempting to break into the home of South Korean pop supergroup BTS member Jeon Jung-kook, better known as Jungkook, hours after his discharge from the military.
The unnamed woman, in her thirties, is accused of trying to gain entry to Jungkook’s Seoul flat at around 11pm on Wednesday by repeatedly pressing the keypad door lock, according to Yonhap News Agency.
Police apprehended her at the scene on charges of attempted housebreaking after a resident reported the suspicious activity, The Korea Times newspaper reported.
The woman reportedly told police that she had flown to South Korea to see Jungkook, who was discharged from the military that day after completing his 18-month mandatory service. Police investigations are ongoing.
Jungkook was discharged from the military alongside BTS bandmate Park Ji-min, known mononymously as Jimin, on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, the two stars – dressed in military uniform – saluted a cheering crowd during a brief ceremony held at a sports facility near their former unit in Yeoncheon, about 60km (37 miles) north of Seoul.
Hundreds of fans had gathered to welcome the duo, who had enlisted as active-duty soldiers in December 2023 and served in the Army’s 5th Infantry Division Artillery Brigade.
Jungkook is not the first BTS member to be subject to inappropriate fan behaviour following their return to civilian life.
Last month, a Japanese woman was accused of forcibly kissing BTS member Kim Seok-jin, who goes by Jin professionally, at a fan event last year. She surrendered to the police in May and was transferred to the prosecution on charges of sexual harassment in a public space, reported The Korea Herald.
The woman, in her fifties, was at a “free hug event” attended by 1,000 BTS supporters on June 13, 2024, a day after Jin’s discharge from the military.
A video of the incident stirred controversy online and a BTS fan filed a complaint against the woman, prompting police investigations. Authorities said they had evidence of another woman kissing Jin, but were unable to identify her.
BTS debuted in 2013 and has a legion of global supporters known as the “Army”.
Jimin and Jungkook are two of four singers from the K-pop megagroup to complete their compulsory military service this week, sparking hope from fans that the popular band will make a comeback.
The seven-member act is expected to reunite after member Suga completes his duty on June 21. Members RM and V were discharged from the military on Tuesday, while Jin and J-Hope completed their service last year.
