SHINee's Onew to face investigation over sexual touching
SEOUL: Prosecutors will investigate Onew of boy band SHINee for allegedly touching a woman inappropriately at a club in Gangnam, Seoul, on Saturday.
Onew was arrested at the club after a friend of the woman called the police. Onew denied the charges, saying that he has no memory of the alleged incident, as he was too drunk at that time.
Police plan to send the case to the prosecutor’s office.
SHINee’s publicists at S.M. Entertainment said the incident stemmed from “a misunderstanding” and that the physical contact had been accidental while they were dancing on a stage drunk.
“The woman acknowledged that such incidents could happen under the influence of alcohol and withdrew the charge,” the publicists said.
According to police, however, the woman said in a statement that although she withdrew the charge due to intense scrutiny from the media and upon the request of S.M. Entertainment, it does not mean that the harassment did not occur.
Meanwhile, producers of an SBS show have been in contact with the police over the alleged incident.
A police officer who had spoken to SBS said: “The victim’s boyfriend had made the
The woman acknowledged that such incidents could happen under the influence of alcohol and withdrew the charge. Publicists for SHINee, who also represent Onew
report. Onew seemed drunk but he was very calm. He had a hat on and said he doesn’t remember anything because he was drunk, but if such a thing did happen, he apologises.”
According to an employee of the club where the alleged incident had occurred, Onew had mistook the women’s leg for a pole and unconsciously grabbed it.
He added: “We believe Onew grabbed the leg of the woman dancing on the stage multiple times.”