CHINESE-CANADIAN pop star Kris Wu has denied allegations brought forward by his rumored girlfriend over the weekend, accusing him of dating and indulging in sexual relationships with young women. The 30-year-old singer and his studio released separate statements refuting the claims, stressing that they have taken legal actions for defamation. The statement came within 12 hours after 19-year-old Du Meizhu, who identified herself as the pop star’s ex-partner, said she was “proclaiming war” by accusing him of exploiting young women — at least two of them underage — for sexual favors in a media interview. Though unverified claims of Wu’s scandalous relationships with young women have surfaced on social media from time to time, the idol has never been confronted with such serious accusations and backlash. “I have never imagined that my silence would fan the rumors, and I can not bear it anymore,” Wu, addressing his over 51 million followers on microblogging platform Weibo, said in response to the accusations. “If there is such behavior, please rest assured, I will walk into prison myself. I take all legal responsibility for my above words.” On Sunday, Du told news portal NetEase that she was scouted by Wu’s agent as a possible candidate to work with him, which she claimed was a common tactic for the rapper to reach young women. Then 17, Du said she was told to drink alcohol with Wu and threatened by his agent, who said her acting career would be hampered if she didn’t. When she woke up, after having blacked out, she found herself in Wu’s bed. Du said more than seven other women have reached out to her for help, including two underage girls, according to the media report. She added that besides using scouting as an excuse to exploit women, Wu would also ask his fan clubs to find new targets. “Some are introduced by the women he has slept with, who, once successful, will be granted famous brand-name gifts or 10,000 yuan (US$1,540) cash,” she said in the media interview. Wu denies seducing women or using drugs to lure women for sex, according to his statement on Weibo. He added he has never been sexually involved with any underage girls, describing how he had only met Du once at a friend’s social gathering. A former member of the hugely popular K-pop boy band EXO, Wu quickly became an A-list celebrity in China after embarking on a solo career in 2014. Since then, the singer has released several hit albums, appeared in blockbuster movies, and coined catchy Internet slang such as “skr” and “do you freestyle?,” all the while amassing millions of fans and endorsements from numerous domestic and international brands. In the wake of the allegations, some domestic brands have already announced termination of their contracts with Wu. A podcast platform owned by China’s state media group has also ended its partnership with the pop idol. (SD-Agencies) | 