Malaysia won’t press charges against fans for being hugged by K-pop stars

Malaysian authorities have decided not to press indecency charges against three teenage girls for being hugged by members of K-pop boy group B1A4 during a recent fan meeting.

The girls had won the chance to appear onstage and perform a skit with the band at the Jan. 10 event in Kuala Lumpur. During the skit ― a reenactment of television drama “The Heirs” ― some of B1A4 members hugged the girls and kissed them on the forehead..

Religious institutions expressed anger over the skit. Malaysia enforces Islamic rule on citizens.

After the fan meeting, JAWI launched an investigation to determine whether the teenagers had violated a section of the Syariah Criminal Offences regarding “indecent acts” in public places.

According to the Manila Bulletin, JAWI officials said the girls had missed a one-week deadline to show up for the investigation, and that JAWI could do nothing more to compel them to cooperate.

JAWI director Paimuzi Yahya said that if the girls did show up, JAWI could “give them advice,” according to Malay Mail Online.

The band’s Korean agency WM Entertainment and local event organizers confirmed they had agreed on what would happen during the skit and the girls were told about it before the event.

WM Entertainment said it would take cultural differences into consideration in the future and be “more considerate” of local customs.