In a story that has shaken Chinese social media this July, the so-called “Hong Jie Nanjing Incident” has exposed a bizarre underground world of deception, secret recordings, and rumors so wild they even dragged global K-pop star Jungkook of BTS into the chaos. The man at the center of the storm, identified only as Jiao, 38 years old, allegedly posed as a middle-aged woman online, luring young men into private encounters. According to police statements and social media reports, he filmed these unsuspecting visitors without their knowledge and distributed the footage on hidden forums, sparking a storm of controversy about privacy, sexual blackmail, and the vulnerabilities of the digital age.

Local rumors, which spread like wildfire on Chinese forums such as Weibo and Tieba, claimed that Jiao tricked as many as 1,691 people—though official sources have confirmed “only” around 237 victims are currently verified. Many were lured under the pretense of a romantic rendezvous, while some brought small “gifts” as part of the bizarre arrangement, including cooking oil, rice, and cigarettes—trivial tokens that hid a massive scandal. Police in Nanjing have stated that Jiao has been detained on charges of producing and distributing obscene materials. There is also speculation that he could face additional charges if it’s proven he intentionally spread sexually transmitted infections.

But if the numbers and the brazen method were not shocking enough, the internet rumor mill went into full overdrive when a short blurry clip emerged, allegedly showing a man resembling Jungkook of BTS standing outside a building connected to Jiao’s secret filming location. Within hours, hashtags like “#JungkookNanjingScandal” started trending across Chinese fan communities, sending ARMYs—the devoted BTS fanbase—into panic mode. Some speculated that Jungkook might have accidentally appeared while traveling in China; others spun even wilder tales about him being caught in a compromising situation.

The biggest spark came when an account posted a “kiss video,” claiming it showed Jungkook sharing a quick peck with an unknown person outside the building. The clip is dark, grainy, and lasts only seconds—making it prime fuel for conspiracy theories but useless as actual evidence. BTS’s label HYBE has not issued any statement so far, likely because the clip is so clearly fabricated that giving it attention would only help it spread.

Meanwhile, local media outlets and fact-checkers have dismissed the Jungkook rumor outright, saying there is zero credible link between the singer and the Hong Jie scandal. Many ARMYs are demanding the Chinese rumor accounts take down the clip and are threatening to sue for defamation. Still, that hasn’t stopped gossip blogs and clickbait channels from milking the “kiss video” for traffic, driving millions of curious clicks in just a few days.

Beyond the celebrity distraction, the case highlights serious questions about online exploitation and the spread of illegal pornography. Chinese authorities have vowed to crack down on hidden groups that distribute such footage for profit and to protect the identities of the young victims who were unknowingly filmed. At least 20 underground accounts that hosted or shared the explicit clips have already been shut down, and some moderators are under investigation for harboring illegal content.

The scandal is now a cautionary tale for young internet users: even in an age of facial filters and fake identities, many still fall for promises of romance or easy money. The fact that a single cross-dresser could fool so many men—allegedly hundreds—without any of them realizing they were being filmed is a shocking reminder of how vulnerable people can be when they’re alone behind closed doors.

As for the viral clip dragging Jungkook into this mess, most believe it will disappear as quickly as it surfaced—another hoax feeding off the fame of a global star who had nothing to do with it. But for the victims of Hong Jie Nanjing’s hidden camera trap, the damage is very real. Many are left humiliated and fearful that their private moments could stay online forever.

This scandal is far from over. Investigations are expanding, more victims are coming forward, and Chinese cyberspace is once again forced to confront the dark side of anonymity and the relentless hunger for scandalous content. And somewhere in Seoul, Jungkook is probably shaking his head at how his name ended up tangled in one of the strangest viral stories of the year—without ever stepping foot near Nanjing.