Rumors again arose that Kris (Wu Yifan), a former member of the group EXO who is serving a 13-year sentence for rape of a minor, has died.
Taiwan outlet Sanli News reported on the 13th (local time) that "rumors are spreading that Kris died in a detention facility while serving his sentence." The report said that a person claiming to be Kris's 'cellmate' exposed that "he was killed for refusing the demands of the leader of a group within the prison." Another claim said that Kris died after his body weakened following a prolonged hunger strike.
Some alleged that Kris had refused the 'secret rules' of powerful figures and was entangled with the daughter of a leader. Rumors even spread that he was gang-raped in prison and died because he could not endure it.
At the same time, some online communities claimed that "the Canadian government condemned China in March for executing four criminals with Canadian nationality, and Kris was included on that list."
But Chinese media immediately denied it. Local outlets reported that "this is the third time the Kris death rumor has surfaced. The police already rebutted it as a 'false rumor' on their official social media" and added "Kris is still serving his sentence."
Kris debuted in 2013 as a member of EXO-M and gained great popularity, but in 2014 he filed a lawsuit against SM Entertainment seeking a declaration that his exclusive contract was null and void and left the group. He continued activities in China as an actor and singer, but his activities were suspended in 2021 when allegations of sexual assault of a minor surfaced.
At the time, a woman revealed messages with Kris and accused him of raping a woman who was intoxicated. After multiple victims came forward, the scandal grew, and in November 2022 the Beijing Chaoyang District People's Court sentenced Kris to 11 years and 6 months for rape and 1 year and 10 months for group indecency, confirming a total prison term of 13 years.
After his sentence ends, he is scheduled to be deported to Canada, and there has been attention on whether he will be subject to the 'chemical castration' system applied to sex offenders in Canada.
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]