Stalker who rang BTS' Jungkook's doorbell 133 times sentenced to one year in prison
A Brazilian woman who repeatedly stalked BTS member Jungkook in his home and rang his doorbell multiple times, has been sentenced to one year in prison and suspended for two years by a South Korean court.
According to reports from BBC and The Korea Times, the Seoul Western District Court found the woman guilty of violating the country's anti-stalking law and trespassing.
The woman, who was not identified in court documents, was described as someone with "extreme level of obsession" towards the K-pop star. She first entered Jungkook's residence in Seoul on Dec. 7 last year and loitered around the premises, threw items over the wall, and delivered letters through openings in the front door.
Following this, she visited the property 21 other times until Dec. 28. During this period, she reportedly rang the doorbell 133 times and entered the property on Dec. 13 after a food delivery worker had left the side gate open.
Despite being arrested and released with a warning not to approach the property again, the woman continued to stalk Jungkook for the next few weeks.
Authorities later issued an emergency order prohibiting her from coming within 100 meters of the property, but when she still persisted and left photographs and printed materials near the residence, she was finally referred to prosecutors in February.
"The defendant continued committing stalking crimes even after being warned and released following a police investigation, and also failed to comply with emergency protective measures," the court said. "The victim is seeking strict punishment."
However, the district judge cited several mitigating factors, noting that the woman’s offenses were intended to express her feelings toward Jungkook rather than to cause him harm.
She was also unlikely to repeat the offense as she is expected to face deportation after the ruling becomes final.
Jungkook is no stranger to obsessive fans who have attempted to trespass into his home. In another incident, a woman was accused of pressing the keypad lock multiple times at his residence on the same day the singer was discharged from military service.
Jungkook has since issued a warning during a livestream, saying that those who trespass will immediately be caught.
"If you show up, I’ll lock you in. I’ve got the evidence, and you’ll be taken away. Everything is recorded. If you step into the parking lot of my home, you won’t be able to leave unless I open the door for you," Jungkook said.
"There are cameras everywhere. If you don’t want to be dragged to the police station, do not enter," he added.
In South Korea, offenders can face up to three years in prison or fines as high as 30 million won (P1.2 million) under the 2021 anti-stalking law.