K-pop idol Jessi has released an official statement addressing a recent fan assault incident involving a minor.
On October 11, JTBC’s “Scandal Supervisor” released CCTV footage, where the “Gum” singer is seen walking away from a fan assault.
As reported by the news outlet and the victim, one of her associates assaulted the fan when he approached her for a photo and an autograph. While she initially intervened to stop the fight, Jessi and her group eventually left and went to a nearby bar.
As the public criticism grew for abandoning her fan, Jessi issued a statement to apologize and clarify the situation, “First and foremost, I sincerely apologize for causing concern to many people regarding the recent assault incident involving me.
Recently, I was attending a private gathering with acquaintances when a fan asked for a photo, which I politely declined twice due to the late hour. Suddenly, he (the victim) was assaulted by someone nearby whom I had never met before.
In the heat of the moment, I was also taken aback and failed to consider the fan’s feelings.
Regardless of the circumstances, I deeply regret that my fan suffered injustice and feel a strong sense of moral responsibility.
Since the incident, my team and I have been in contact with the victim’s mother to ensure the perpetrator apologizes, provides compensation, and receives proper punishment.
I respectfully request that media outlets refrain from one-sided reporting or speculative coverage related to this incident.”
As claimed by the victim, one of the members of the group that Jessi was with on the night of September 29 attacked him. As he reported to the police and they questioned Jessi’s group who was in a bar nearby, they claimed to have no knowledge about the whereabouts of the perpetrator.
On October 10, the victim visited the police station to get an update on the progress of the case. The police informed him that the investigation was halted due to the attacker’s unknown identity. As per her agency, the attacker is a Chinese associate of a producer Jessi is close friends with.
Gangnam Police Station has summoned the producer next week for questioning to gather information on the assailant.