NewJeans is facing controversy after a sasaeng fan broke into their former dorm and stole items.
A Seoul court has fined the fan ₩10 million (approximately $7,200 USD). The verdict was delivered on the 23rd by Judge Kim Min Jung. Initially, prosecutors sought a 10-month prison sentence.
The court explained,
“The defendant admitted to the crime during the investigation, showed remorse, and had no prior criminal record.”
The fan, referred to as A, was charged with trespassing and theft.
The ruling considered that at the time of the incident, NewJeans had already vacated the dorm. Judge Kim noted,
“There was relatively low risk of directly infringing on the group’s privacy.”
A’s actions occurred on December 18th and December 21st, 2023. They entered the unlocked dorm, stole hangers and banners, and even shared footage online.
In previous hearings, A commented,
“I acted rashly and made a serious mistake. I sincerely apologize to the artist and the agency I had supported for causing harm.”
This incident has sparked discussions about the safety of K-pop idols and the extreme behavior of sasaeng fans.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
