Beijing police detain K-pop star Kris Wu over rape allegations

Renowned Chinese-Canadian pop star Kris Wu has been detained in China over suspicion of committing rape, Beijing police said Saturday.

Wu was being investigated over accusations made online of "tricking young girls into having sex with him," according to a statement by police. He was accused last week by 19-year-old student Du Meizhu of date-raping her when she was 17, drawing widespread condemnation of the singer on Chinese social media and leading to several luxury brands dropping deals with him.

"Wu Yifan, 30, Canadian nationality, is now criminally detained in accordance with the law by Chaoyang branch of Beijing public security bureau on suspicion of rape," police in Beijing's Chaoyang district said in a Weibo statement, using Wu's Chinese name.

Officers said they launched an investigation after Wu, one of China's biggest celebrities, was reported by internet users for having "deceived young women multiple times into having sexual relations."

Since Du's accusations, more alleged victims have spoken out online, accusing Wu's staff of predatory behaviour such as inviting them to boozy karaoke parties.

Wu originally shot to fame as a member of the K-pop boyband EXO, before leaving in 2014 to launch a successful solo career as a singer, actor, model and variety show judge.

Meanwhile, Wu has denied all allegations of assault and rape. His studio also published a lengthy response to Du's claims, denying any wrongdoing and alleging that she only met him once at a party, tried to extort his staff for millions of yuan and falsified her accusations.