Korean-American rapper Jessi is set to make a comeback since stepping away from public activities last year following a controversy involving the assault of an 18-year-old fan.
Jessi made her first public appearance at WATERBOMB Manila on Sunday. During her set at the popular water and music festival, she interacted with the crowd and answered questions from fans and attendees. One fan asked the rapper whether she had plans for her comeback, to which Jessi replied that she would be returning to the Korean music scene "very soon."
"Very soon, guys. Very soon. I will be dropping multiple songs," she said.
Her performance at WATERBOMB Manila marked her first major appearance after disappearing from the public eye last year. The controversy started after an 18-year-old fan approached Jessi for a photo while she was in Seoul's Gangnam district. She politely declined, but the situation quickly escalated when a man, allegedly associated with Jessi's group, suddenly assaulted the fan.
Initially, the situation led to significant backlash against Jessi, with some criticizing her handling of the incident. The rapper issued two public apologies, expressing deep regret and vowing to "right all the wrongs." In the wake of the scandal, she also left her agency.
However, as the investigation progressed, new details emerged. CCTV footage revealed that Jessi had actually attempted to intervene and stop the altercation. On. 7, 2024, the Gangnam Police Station announced that Jessi had been cleared of all charges related to the incident. The police found no evidence that she had participated in the assault or helped the perpetrator escape.
바로 위에 cctv가 있었네요 pic.twitter.com/V28Dc85c4l
— 주식개𝕏 (@stocknewsdog) October 16, 2024
Despite being proven innocent, Jessi chose to take time away from the public eye. She also remained silent on social media. That said, the rapper hopped back on Instagram following her performance at WATERBOMB Manila, expressing gratitude to those who attended and supported news of her comeback.
Prior to the controversy, Jessi's last official music release was her digital single "Gum."
