MUSIC
Jessi Marks 19th Anniversary Amidst Controversy: A Message to Fans
On the 2nd, Jessi expressed disbelief at how quickly 19 years have passed, thanking her fans for being part of her journey. She stated, "Your unwavering belief and support in my career mean everything to me. I truly wouldn't be here without you."
She continued, "Life is a journey with peaks and valleys, never a stable or predictable path. We've been on this rollercoaster together, and I'm so grateful to have you by my side. As a young girl who moved to Korea alone, I've grown into a woman navigating this industry."
Jessi shared, "The challenges I've faced taught me that no one knows my heart and struggles better than I do. Your belief in me throughout this process has been my greatest strength. I hope to inspire you to pursue your dreams without fear and not to give up on your goals."
Recently, Jessi was involved in a controversy when a minor fan was allegedly assaulted by a man in her entourage after requesting a photo with her in Apgujeong, Gangnam. Jessi was seen gesturing to stop the fight but left the scene. When police arrived, she reportedly claimed not to know the assailant.
Jessi's team clarified that the assailant was "Chinese" and not related to Jessi, stating he was a friend of a producer close to her. During police questioning, Jessi expressed her wish for the assailant to be found and punished but maintained she had never met him before the incident.
Despite this, Jessi faced criticism for not actively intervening in the assault and for her passive response, claiming not to know the assailant. Further outrage ensued when it was revealed that one of Jessi's entourage, rapper and producer Koala, had a tattoo associated with a Korean gang, and that Jessi knew the assailant's identity and contact information but did not take action.
Meanwhile, the Seoul Gangnam Police concluded their investigation into Jessi for charges of intimidation and harboring a criminal, deciding not to pursue charges due to insufficient evidence.
