SK Police Summon BTS Fan for Stolen Kiss from Jin

SEOUL — South Korean police announced on Friday that they have summoned a Japanese woman for questioning over allegedly kissing Jin, a member of the globally popular K-pop group BTS, without consent during a free hug event last year.

A police officer at Seoul's Songpa station confirmed that they had requested the woman’s appearance for questioning regarding allegations of sexual harassment.

The police station, which declined to reveal the woman’s identity for privacy reasons, stated that the investigation was launched after receiving an online complaint. However, they did not provide further details as the investigation is ongoing.

According to media reports, South Korean authorities were able to confirm the woman’s identity with assistance from their Japanese counterparts. The woman, who is reportedly in her 50s, has refused to appear for questioning.

The Incident The incident occurred shortly after Jin, whose real name is Kim Seok-jin, completed his mandatory 18-month military service in June 2024. To celebrate his discharge and BTS’s 11th anniversary, Jin hosted a free hug event in Seoul, where fans were invited to embrace the singer.

In a statement following the event, Jin mentioned that his “soft skin” had been the subject of numerous compliments from fans, though he did not elaborate on the specifics of the incident involving the alleged kiss.

Red Carpet in Pictures: Teddy Swims and Sabrina Carpenter Arrive at the BRITs

The BRIT Awards red carpet was as vibrant as ever, with some of the biggest names in music stepping out for the U.K.’s biggest night in music.

Sabrina Carpenter, Jade Thirlwall, and Teddy Swims stole the spotlight with their striking outfits.

Teddy Swims, nominated for International Song of the Year for his track “Lose Control”, stayed true to his name, arriving on the red carpet covered in teddy bears and toys. With the chilly weather at the O2 Arena, his playful, cozy look was a smart choice.

Sabrina Carpenter was already a winner by the time she hit the red carpet, having been awarded the Global Success accolade — the first international artist to receive this honor. The Please Please Please singer, who also opened the show, will be heading out on a UK and Ireland tour in the coming weeks.

Charli XCX, who won big that night, also made an impact on the red carpet, though there was no Brat green in sight. The Essex-born singer took home five awards during the evening.

Jade Thirlwall stunned in a breathtaking gown, which she described as a "denim wedding dress." The former Little Mix member, who was nominated for Best Pop Act and Song of the Year, opened up about her new solo journey and the inspiration behind her song “Angel of My Dreams”, which reflects on her "toxic relationship with the music industry."

Davina McCall made a stunning appearance in an all-black ensemble, just weeks after revealing she had undergone surgery for a rare benign tumor. She had more to celebrate, announcing her new BBC dating show.

FLO, the British girl group, graced the red carpet in matching outfits. Stella Quaresma, Renee Downer, and Jorja Douglas, who were nominated for Best R&B Act, shared their excitement about their upcoming tour, working with Beyoncé's dance captain, Amari Marshall.

KSI, the rapper and YouTuber, opted for a sleek all-black leather look. Despite being “clowned for” his song “Thick of It”, which was nominated for Song of the Year, KSI has kept a packed schedule, balancing music, YouTube, and even a fight later this month.

The Last Dinner Party, winners of last year’s Rising Star award, turned heads in their stunning red carpet looks. The band — Aurora Nishevci, Emily Roberts, Abigail Morris, Georgia Davies, and Lizzie Mayland — were nominated for four awards this year, including Album and Group of the Year.

CMAT (Clara Mary-Alice Thompson) shone in a gold dress, proving that sometimes simplicity is all you need to stand out on the red carpet. Though she wasn’t nominated this year, her striking outfit was worthy of recognition.

Ezra Collective, with band members Ife Ogunjobi, TJ Koleoso, Femi Koleoso, Joe Armon-Jones, and James Mollison, looked effortlessly cool in matching all-black outfits. They completed the look with sunglasses, shielding themselves from the flashing lights of the photographers.

Bring Me The Horizon, last year’s Best Alternative/Rock Act, also showed off their stylish all-black looks as they arrived for their nominations for Best Group.

Jorja Smith, fresh from promoting her new single “Crush” with AJ Tracey, turned heads in a sleek black and blue leather-look dress, adding to the star-studded lineup on the red carpet.

Alex Scott and Jess Glynne, often seen together at London Fashion Week, showed off their couple style, with Alex wearing a chic black-and-white outfit and Jess in a bold burnt orange dress.

Millie Bobby Brown dazzled in a silver gown, making a rare appearance at the BRITs after attending the SAG Awards and promoting her new film The Electric State in Los Angeles.

Finally, Stormzy, the winner of Best Rap Act, made a unique red carpet statement in sunglasses, explaining that he had “mashed up my eye” while playing padel. Despite the injury, the rapper was in high spirits as he claimed his fourth BRIT Award.

Liam Payne Honored at BRIT Awards: ‘Incredibly Kind Soul Who Touched the Lives of Everyone’

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 1: The 2025 BRIT Awards paid tribute to Liam Payne on Saturday, honoring the late star who tragically passed away in October 2024 at the age of 31.

During an emotional segment towards the end of the ceremony, host Jack Whitehall addressed the audience, saying, “It’s time to take a moment to remember a very special person who meant so much to so many people in this room, and to millions around the world.”

He continued, “Last October, we woke up to the devastating news that Liam Payne had tragically passed away. He achieved so much in the short time that he was on this Earth, and was not only a supremely gifted musician, but an incredibly kind soul who touched the lives of everyone he came into contact with. We have so many amazing memories of Liam here at the BRITs, so tonight, we celebrate his legacy, look back, and remember the remarkable Liam Payne.”

A touching video montage followed, showcasing moments of Payne’s career, from his days with One Direction to family moments, meeting the Queen, and much more. The montage was soundtracked by One Direction’s “Little Things.”

After the tribute, Payne’s One Direction bandmate Louis Tomlinson shared his appreciation on social media, posting, “Beautiful tribute. Miss you always, brother x.”

Throughout his career, Payne won seven BRIT Awards, including four for British Video of the Year with One Direction. He was also nominated for his solo work, including “Strip That Down” with Quavo and “For You” with Rita Ora.

In addition to the BRITs, the Grammys also honored Payne during their In Memoriam segment, featuring a video tribute accompanied by Coldplay’s Chris Martin performing “All My Love.”

Payne tragically died on October 16, 2024, after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. Rolling Stone’s March cover story investigated the tragedy surrounding his passing.

Sabrina Carpenter Opens 2025 BRIT Awards with ‘Espresso’ & ‘Bed Chem,’ Accepts Global Success Honor

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 1: Sabrina Carpenter kicked off the 2025 BRIT Awards with a vibrant medley of “Espresso” and “Bed Chem” at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday night, captivating the audience with her playful and sultry performance.

The American pop star, who would later be honored with the Global Success Award, turned up the heat with a flirtatious set that referenced British culture, including the Union Jack and the King’s Guard. She transitioned seamlessly from a sparkling, British-inspired bodysuit into a red negligee and lacy lingerie, while perched atop a heart-shaped bed on stage. The performance, which was broadcast live on ITV1 and streamed on ITVX in the U.K. and the BRITs’ official YouTube channel elsewhere, kept the crowd on their feet with sultry synchronized choreography.

During “Espresso”, Carpenter was surrounded by dancers dressed as marching guards. She later winked at the audience as she performed “Bed Chem”, cleverly using a camera trick to imply that she was seducing a member of the King’s Guard. Judging by his playful wink, it was safe to say her efforts were successful.

Later in the evening, Carpenter was awarded the Global Success Honor, presented to her by Millie Bobby Brown. Brown, who is currently on tour with Carpenter, joked that after watching the steamy BRITs performance, Carpenter should be the one handcuffed on stage—referencing a bit that Brown does during her Short n’ Sweet tour with another performer.

Introducing Carpenter to the BRITs crowd, Brown said, “She’s the woman who keeps us all hot and bothered.”

In her acceptance speech, Carpenter reflected on her journey, recalling her first trip to the U.K. 10 years ago, when she was just starting out and only a few people knew who she was. “This week, I get to headline the O2 because of you guys,” she said. Carpenter is set to perform at the iconic venue on March 8 and 9 as part of the European leg of her tour.

Before leaving the stage, Carpenter, known for her dry humor, added, “In a country that loves its tea, you guys streamed the [explicit] out of ‘Espresso.’”

She closed her speech with gratitude, saying, “This is all because of you, and this is for you. Thank you so much. Cheerio!”

Charli XCX Turns BRIT Awards into ‘Brat’ Awards as Host Danny Dyer Slams Chappell Roan and Prime Minister Keir Starmer

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 01: Charli XCX claimed five prestigious awards at the 2025 BRIT Awards, including Album of the Year for her critically acclaimed album Brat. The U.K. music industry’s biggest night was dominated by the singer-songwriter-producer, whose 2024 album swept the board and cemented her as one of the year's top artists.

Despite her huge success — and the widespread meme culture surrounding her Brat Summer — Charli's decision to forgo a live performance at the ceremony was a notable absence. She was present at the O2 Arena, having recently performed at the Grammys, but chose not to take the stage at her homecoming show. This decision left some fans and organizers wondering about her absence from the performance lineup.

Jack Whitehall, returning as the host for the evening, poked fun at Charli’s choice, quipping that her decision to skip the performance in favor of “getting drunk” was the most British thing ever. While her absence was a surprising moment, Charli's recognition for her work was more than enough to make the night hers.

The ceremony also had its share of controversy. Host Danny Dyer made headlines with scathing remarks aimed at Chappell Roan and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. His unexpected comments added an element of tension to the night, overshadowing some of the usual glitz and glamour of the awards.

With Charli XCX leading the charge and the evening filled with dramatic moments, the BRIT Awards 2025 certainly lived up to its reputation as a night of unforgettable surprises.