Rumors that former EXO member Kris (Wu Yifan), serving a 13-year prison sentence for raping a minor, died in custody are spreading again. The rumor, which spread mainly across Chinese-language online communities in Taiwan and Hong Kong rather than in mainland China, grew more sensational than before and shocked many. However, within China the claim was immediately dismissed as "false," and the back-and-forth over the truth appears to be repeating.
#. "Refused the prison gang leader's demand and was killed" "Died after a hunger strike"…sensational "testimonies" follow
Taiwanese outlet Sanli News and others reported on the 13th (local time) that "rumors are spreading that Kris died in prison while serving his sentence."
Online, a person claiming to be Kris's cellmate appeared and made the shocking claim that "he was killed after refusing a demand from the leader of a group inside the prison." In another anonymous post it was said he died after his body weakened from a prolonged hunger strike, and that he clashed with high-ranking inmates after refusing the power holders' "secret rule,"
Unverified stories spread exponentially, including claims that "there was an issue involving a leader's daughter, he was gang-raped and could not endure it and died." Some communities even alleged that "the Canadian government criticized China's execution list, and Kris was on that list."
#. Chinese police: "false rumor, this is the third time"
But Chinese media and police immediately denied the death rumors. Chinese outlets reported that "the Kris death rumor has already been raised for the third time," and that "Jiangsu provincial police have already declared on their official social media that it is a 'false rumor.'"
There is no evidence such as photos from inside the prison or an official announcement, so this death rumor is also 'fake news' without proof. Among Chinese-language netizens, cold reactions continued, saying, "It seems the rumor repeats because of the shock of a star falling into a criminal," "prison information is closed off so gossip spreads easily," and "this is a pattern now. Is this a death-rumor factory?"
#. From top star to sex offender…summary of Kris's trial and sentence
Kris debuted in 2013 as a member of EXO-M and gained great popularity, but he filed a lawsuit in 2014 claiming his exclusive contract with SM Entertainment was invalid and left the group. He continued film and music activities in China, but the situation changed dramatically in 2021 when allegations of sexual assault of a minor erupted. Several victims emerged in addition to the initial accuser. 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 collective obscenity, a total prison term of 13 years. His appeal was dismissed and the sentence was finalized.
After completing his sentence in China, Kris is expected to be deported to Canada. Canada operates a system that can require sex offenders to undergo sex drive suppression treatment (so-called chemical castration), so attention has focused on whether that measure will be applied.
More than anything, over his four years in custody the claims have been raised repeatedly three times, forming a kind of pattern. Kris is still serving his sentence, and the death rumors, all unfounded, continue to spark online controversy as the dispute over the truth goes on.
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]