Jessi And Her Controversial 2024: Inside The Fan Assault Case, New EP, And DOD Entertainment Split

The year 2024 has proven to be one of the most tumultuous and defining periods in the career of Jessi (Jessica Ho), the fierce American-Korean rapper and K-hip hop icon. While celebrating her 19th debut anniversary and making a long-awaited musical comeback, the artist found herself at the center of a major controversy that led to a dramatic and abrupt change in her professional life. This article, updated in December 2025, dives deep into the events that shaped her year, from the release of her highly anticipated EP to the legal and agency issues that shook the industry.

The keyword "Jessi and" currently points not to a dating rumor or a simple collaboration, but rather to a complex intersection of her artistic output and a significant public scandal. Her professional journey, marked by an unapologetic attitude and boundary-pushing music, took an unexpected turn with a fan-related incident and a subsequent contract termination, leaving fans and the industry speculating about her next move.

Jessi's Biography and Profile: The K-Hip Hop Queen

Jessica Ho, known mononymously as Jessi (제시), has carved out a unique and powerful niche in the South Korean entertainment industry. She is celebrated for her raw, confident persona, powerhouse vocals, and distinctive rap style that often challenges conventional K-pop norms.

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• Full Name: Jessica Ho
• Korean Name: Ho Hyun-joo (호현주)
• Date of Birth: December 17, 1988
• Birthplace: Queens, New York, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Genre: K-pop, K-hip hop, R&B
• Debut: 2005 (as Jessica H.O)
• Notable Groups: Uptown (2006–2009), Lucky J (2014–2016)
• Breakthrough: Unpretty Rapstar (2015)
• Signature Hits: "Nunu Nana," "What Type of X," "Zoom"
• Recent Milestone: 19th debut anniversary (2024)
• Recent Real Estate Acquisition: Purchased a USD 2.8 million home in 2024.

Jessi’s career is defined by resilience, having navigated the strict South Korean idol system while maintaining her unique, outspoken identity. Her success is often attributed to her authenticity and her willingness to address controversial topics, making her a role model for many. She has also been lauded for challenging conventional beauty standards and promoting body positivity.

Jessi and Her New Music: The P.M.S (Pretty Mood Swings) EP

Amidst the professional and personal turbulence of 2024, Jessi delivered a major musical statement with the release of her new EP, P.M.S (Pretty Mood Swings). This project marked her first EP in approximately five years, following the release of Nuna in 2020, and was a highly anticipated comeback for her global fanbase.

The title itself, P.M.S, is a bold and characteristic choice, reflecting the artist’s fearless approach to her work. The album is described as fearlessly tackling a variety of emotions and themes, true to the name PRETTY MOOD SWINGS.

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The P.M.S Tracklist and Key Collaborations

The EP features five tracks, each showcasing different facets of Jessi's musical versatility. She was actively involved in the writing and composition process for the album, ensuring a deeply personal and authentic release.

• "Girls Like Me" (Lead Track)
• "Brand New Boots"
• "HELL"
• "Marry Me"
• "Newsflash"

The lead single, "Girls Like Me," quickly became a talking point, with Jessi opening up about the song and the controversies surrounding her in various interviews. The EP serves as a testament to her longevity and commitment to her craft, even as her professional world was undergoing significant upheaval.

Jessi and the Fan Assault Controversy of 2024

The most significant event defining Jessi's 2024 was a highly publicized fan assault incident, which became the central "and" in her recent news cycle. The incident, which occurred in Gangnam, Seoul, on September 29, 2024, involved a teenage fan who approached Jessi for a selfie.

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The controversy erupted when reports surfaced that a man accompanying Jessi allegedly assaulted the fan. The media coverage and public reaction were intense, with many headlines initially making it seem as though Jessi herself had committed the assault.

The Investigation and Aftermath

The situation escalated, leading to Jessi being summoned for an investigation. She spent six hours under interrogation, facing renewed scrutiny over the incident.

Key developments in the case include:

• Police Decision: Seoul police ultimately cleared Jessi of all charges related to the assault.
• Indictment: The individual accompanying Jessi was indicted for the assault, confirming that the rapper was not the perpetrator.
• Public Apology: Despite being cleared of charges, Jessi issued a public apology regarding the incident, expressing regret over the situation and the negative attention it caused.
• Backlash and Threats: The controversy resulted in significant public backlash and even death threats against the artist, forcing her to address the intense scrutiny.

Jessi’s response, including her denial of assaulting anyone and her subsequent apology, highlighted the pressure public figures face in the age of immediate and often misinformed social media reporting. She has since spoken out, stating that "the truth will reveal itself."

Jessi and the DayOneDream Entertainment Split

Directly following the fan assault controversy, Jessi made another headline-grabbing move: the termination of her exclusive contract with DOD (DayOneDream Entertainment). This decision, which took effect on October 18, 2024, was particularly shocking because it occurred barely a month after she had signed with the agency.

The short-lived partnership and its sudden end fueled intense speculation across the K-pop industry. DOD Entertainment released a statement confirming the mutual agreement to terminate the contract at Jessi's request.

While the agency's official statement cited a mutual agreement, the timing—immediately after the legal drama—suggests a direct link. The termination highlights the severe difficulties that high-profile controversies can create for an artist's relationship with their management, regardless of the legal outcome. The split leaves Jessi once again navigating her career as an independent force, or at least seeking a new management structure to support her future activities.

What’s Next for Jessi?

As of late 2025, Jessi’s future is a blank slate, filled with both uncertainty and immense potential. Having cleared her name in the assault case and successfully released new music, she has demonstrated her ability to weather a storm. Her departure from DOD Entertainment means that the K-hip hop queen is now a free agent, capable of charting her own course.

Fans are eagerly awaiting news on her next steps, whether it involves signing with a new, perhaps more established, agency or continuing to manage her own activities under her own terms. Given her history of challenging the status quo, many anticipate that Jessi will use this period to re-emerge even stronger, solidifying her status as one of South Korea's most iconic and controversial independent artists.