'Prison death rumor' spreads again… Who is Kris, former member of EXO?
Group EXO ( EXO ) former Chinese-Canadian singer Kris (real name Wu Yifan) reportedly died while serving his sentence' — the rumor spread again mainly on Chinese online platforms, but Chinese-language media and police have flatly denied it. Kris is currently serving a 13-year prison term for rape and obscenity.
Chinese-language media including Taiwan TVBS and Hong Kong HK01 reported on the 13th (local time) that Chinese social media were quickly spreading the rumor that 'Kris died while on a hunger strike.' Some internet users amplified the death rumor by sharing provocative claims such as 'he starved to death after refusing food for a long time in prison' and 'he was murdered after being sexually assaulted while incarcerated.'
However, Jiangsu provincial public security in China immediately refuted the claim on its official Weibo on the 11th, saying 'the rumor of Kris's death is not true.' Chinese-language media likewise dismissed the current rumor as baseless gossip, noting that 'the same rumor has been repeated three times during his four years of incarceration.'
Kris debuted as a member of EXO-M in 2013 and gained global popularity, but he left the group in 2014 after filing a lawsuit against SM Entertainment seeking a declaration that his exclusive contract was invalid. He went on to pursue a dazzling career as an actor and singer in China, appearing in films such as Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets and rising to the ranks of a Chinese top star.
However, in 2021 the situation dramatically changed when allegations surfaced that he had drugged and raped multiple women, including minors. One victim released messages with him and raised allegations of rape, and the scandal grew uncontrollable as additional victims came forward.
In November 2022, the Chaoyang District People's Court in Beijing sentenced him to 11 years and 6 months for rape and 1 year and 10 months for group obscenity, for a total prison term of 13 years. Kris's appeal of the first-instance ruling in China was later rejected and the sentence was finalized.
After his sentence is completed, he will be deported to Canada. Discussions mentioned Canada's chemical castration measure for sex offenders, and some speculated 'could it be applied to Kris?' but the prevailing analysis is that practical application is unlikely.
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]