Former EXO member Kris, who was sentenced to 13 years in prison for sexually assaulting minors and is serving his sentence, has become the center of controversy as rumors that he "died in prison" rapidly spread on Chinese social media.
On the 13th, Chinese media collectively reported an anonymous post on Weibo, stirring debate.
The post's author claimed to be imprisoned in the same prison as Kris and asserted that Kris was beaten to death after refusing the sexual demands of prison gang members.
Another rumor circulated that he died after his health deteriorated while continuing a hunger strike.
Several photos purporting to show Kris being interrogated in a prison uniform were also circulated online. However, those photos were confirmed to be composites and were revealed to be manipulated images created by digitally replacing another person's face with Kris's face.
As such baseless rumors continued to spread, public security authorities stepped in and directly refuted the rumors in an official statement.
According to reports, the relevant authorities in Jiangsu province labeled the claims as "false information" in a Weibo notice and warned that those who spread rumors without verifying the facts could face legal responsibility.
Kris debuted as a member of EXO-M in 2013 and enjoyed much popularity. But in 2014 he suddenly left EXO and filed a lawsuit seeking a declaration of nonexistence of exclusive contract effect against SM Entertainment, and he has since been active in China as a singer and actor.
Later, Kris became embroiled in controversy in 2021 over allegations of sexually assaulting minors. At the time, a netizen posted messages they said were exchanged with Kris on social media and alleged his violent behavior. Kris's side said the messages were forged and pledged to take legal action, but after that it became known that in addition to the initial accuser there were several other victims, and the fallout continued.
Local reports say that between November and December 2020, Kris forced sexual relations on three women who were intoxicated at his home, and earlier, on July 1, 2018, he called two other women and forced them to perform obscene acts.
In the end, in November 2022 the Chaoyang District People's Court of Beijing sentenced Kris to 11 years and six months for rape and one year and ten months for group obscenity, totaling 13 years in prison. Kris appealed the verdict but the appeal was dismissed. With China's two-tier trial system, the 13-year prison term was ultimately confirmed.
Kris is expected to be deported to Canada after serving his sentence. In Canada, chemical castration (drug therapy for sexual drive) is used for sex offenders, so attention has focused on whether Kris will face such punishment.
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]