Kpop group UP10TION member Wooshin, whose real name is Kim Woo Seok, dismissed the allegation of sexual assault made against him. The 20-year-old idol has been accused of inappropriately touching "The Show" co-host Somi's chest.
The sexual-misconduct allegation started when the official Twitter account of "The Show" posted a Christmas video message from the two Kpop idols on Dec. 24, Saturday. In the 49-second long video, Wooshin seemed to graze the I.O.I member's chest twice.
The UP10TION member's action reportedly made Somi uncomfortable. Though the SBS' music television program has since removed the said video from their account, many fans still believed the former had intentionally brushed the latter's chest with his arm.
To clarify the situation, "The Show" released an official statement on Twitter, revealing that the staffs were there on location when Wooshin and Somi were filming the said video message. The scene was filmed with the two MCs keeping a reasonable distance between each other, it added.
UP10TION's agency, TOP Media, and I.O.I's agency, YMC Entertainment, have also dismissed the sexual-misconduct allegation. In a press statement obtained by Soompi, they confirmed that the incident was purely accidental and that the two MCs were surprised such controversy even existed.
"The physical contact that is being alleged did not happen," said TOP Media, adding that Wooshin has promised to be more cautious in the future to avoid causing such misunderstanding. "We pray that no misunderstandings happen due to assuming comments again and apologize for worrying fans."
Meanwhile, I.O.I recently announced that they will hold their final solo concert on Jan. 20 to 22, 2017, Korea Boo reported. Dubbed "Time Slip - I.O.I," the three-day concert is set to take place in Jangchung Gymnasium, Seoul, South Korea.
Check out the video in question here: