Jessi's Statement Sparks Controversy Amid Police Probe Into Fan Assault
Oct 22, 2024
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On the 22nd, Lee Jin-ho, a well-known entertainment commentator, released a video on his YouTube channel titled "Jessi’s Lies Exposed… What’s Wrong with the Contact from the Assailant?". In the video, Lee delved into the details surrounding the alleged assault that took place in Apgujeong-dong on September 29th, involving a fan who had approached Jessi.
At the time of the incident, Jessi clarified, "I have no involvement with the perpetrator. He is a Chinese friend of a producer who is close to me."
Lee Jin-ho added further context, stating that Jessi has been known to leave social gatherings at the first sign of conflict, dating back to a similar incident in Itaewon in 2013. Although she was not directly involved in the physical altercation back then, she experienced significant psychological distress from the event. However, Lee pointed out a contradiction, revealing that Jessi continued drinking with certain members of her party later that night after initially fleeing the scene.
The incident in Apgujeong-dong centers around Koala, a producer known to work with Jessi, who had invited between 50 to 60 people to a gathering. Some attendees were unfamiliar with each other. Allegations surfaced that the perpetrator, identified as 'A', might be affiliated with a Triad gang and had fled the country after the incident. As 'A' is not a Korean national, this raised further complications in the investigation.
Lee Jin-ho speculated that Koala and Jessi must have known 'A', as 'A' later contacted Jessi, providing his identity and contact details after the situation escalated. This information was first addressed during JTBC’s 'CRIME CHIEF' before the official police investigation began, leading to questions about whether the evidence was promptly handed over to law enforcement.
In a further twist, Jessi’s recent split from her agency also raised eyebrows. The agency had supported her throughout the early stages of the police investigation but abruptly announced the termination of her exclusive contract just two days after Jessi's police questioning. While compensation claims are often sought from celebrities involved in controversies, the agency's decision to terminate the contract at Jessi's request, without pursuing damages, was seen as unusual.
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Adding another layer to the controversy, Jessi recently purchased a 4 billion KRW house, with 2 billion KRW borrowed for the purchase. Lee Jin-ho mentioned that she had been working on interior renovations for the past 20 years in Korea, but the incident has put those plans on hold.
Meanwhile, the ongoing police investigation stems from an incident in which a fan, who approached Jessi for a photo in the early morning of September 29th in Apgujeong-dong, was assaulted by a man in Jessi’s party. On October 16th, the Gangnam Police Station summoned Jessi for questioning as a suspect. A total of four individuals, including Jessi, her producer, and the man directly involved in the assault, have been booked for the investigation. Jessi expressed remorse to the media, stating, “It’s true that I met the perpetrator for the first time” and “I’m deeply sorry for the victim.”
However, the police investigation remains ongoing as authorities probe claims that the assailant identified himself as a member of the Triad from Taiwan (Triad China) on social media.
lyn@sportschosun.com
