Himchan Of B.A.P. Sentenced To 10 Months In Prison Over Indecent Acts By Compulsion

The Seoul Central District Court has sentenced Himchan of the disbanded K-pop group B.A.P. to 10 months in prison over indecent acts by compulsion. The verdict was announced on Wednesday. 

However, the 30-year-old singer will not be immediately arrested as the victim reportedly forgave him, but he will be serving 10 months in prison apart from the court decision to let him undergo 40 hours of acts of lasciviousness prevention program. 

"The evidence, including statements from the victim, is credible and backs the charges," the judge said. He also pointed out, "The seriousness of the crime and the fact that the victim did not forgive him were factored into the sentencing."

It was in September 2018 when Himchan and five others were hanging out, had a drink at a guest house in Namyangju when the B.A.P. singer allegedly harassed his female companion without her consent.

When he was in the trial, Himchan denied touching her in a harassing way, defending himself that the girl also liked what he was doing. 

His legal counsel was quoted saying, "The two met for the first time, but there were good feelings between them. It is true that he touched her chest and they kissed, but there was no more physical contact besides that. The skinship was consensual, not forced molestation."

Then, it was in 2012 when Himchan started with B.A.P., yet they got disbanded in 2019. In 2020, he debuted as a solo artist. The K-Pop group originally is composed of six members, including Daehyun, Bang Yong Guk, Youngjae, Zelo, and Jongup.

This case has been for several years now, and Himchan reportedly has paid for the charges, and also lost many of his projects. He also faced a drunk driving case a day after his album was officially offered to K-Pop fans.