Onew of SHINee is being investigated for sexual harassment.

(S.M. Entertainment)

Gangnam Police Station announced Saturday morning that the singer had been booked without detention. He is suspected of touching a woman inappropriately at a club in Gangnam, southern Seoul, at 7:10 a.m. Saturday.

Onew was apprehended on the spot after a friend of the woman called the police. Police said they have spoken to the woman, her friend and Onew, who claimed that he has no memory of the alleged incident as he was too drunk at that time.

SHINee’s agency S.M. Entertainment issued a statement later Saturday, apologizing for the incident.

“Onew visited the club to celebrate with his friend who had just debuted as a DJ. The incident was a misunderstanding, as Onew accidently made physical contact with the woman while dancing on the stage drunk,” it said.

The agency also said that the woman had dropped charges against Onew, as she acknowledged that such incidents could occur under the influence of alcohol, adding that the singer would cooperate with the upcoming police investigation.

By Hong Dam-young (lotus@heraldcorp.com)