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| Ex-MELODY MELLOW Idol Marin Aoi Exposes Hidden Camera Incident |
Former MELODY MELLOW idol Aoi Marin has revealed a deeply unsettling incident during one of her private fan photoshoots, shedding light on a risk rarely spoken about in the Japanese idol industry.
In a Twitter post this week, Aoi Marin shared that while preparing for a shoot at the end of August, she stumbled upon five hidden cameras in a dressing room.
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The devices—disguised as USB outlets and coat-hooks—were strategically placed where she would be changing into a swimsuit.
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Police were immediately called, and the fan who had arranged the session was arrested at the scene.
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Aoi admitted she was left shaken and distressed, writing:
“Warning: This happened during a private photoshoot with a fan whom I trusted, under the condition that my manager was present. Five hidden cameras had been set up in the changing room. Even now, I feel terrified when I think about what would have happened if I hadn’t noticed them. To all performers, especially those doing photoshoots, please be careful.”
⚠️注意喚起
— まりんちゃん (@melomello_marin) September 8, 2025
マネージャー同行付きという条件で信頼もしてるファンの方と個撮をした際おこった出来事です。
更衣室に5台の隠しカメラが設置されていました。
自分がカメラに気づかなければと思うと今でも恐怖で辛いです。
特に撮影会などしてる演者の皆さん気をつけて下さい。 pic.twitter.com/mlpuIDtFRT
She cautioned performers to stay vigilant, explaining that even though her manager was present, she trusted the fan involved and still ended up in a dangerous situation.
Aoi Marin’s discovery isn’t an isolated case.
According to a 2024 Tokyo Metropolitan report, there were 15 similar hidden camera cases linked to entertainment or fan interactions in just one year—often involving trusted individuals.
Japan’s National Police Agency has also documented a 30% rise in voyeurism cases connected to entertainment settings, signalling a worrying trend.
Experts warn that these devices are becoming increasingly advanced. A 2023 IEEE study revealed that many are built with micro-SD storage and low-power Wi-Fi, making them almost invisible to the eye without specialised tools like RF detectors.
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Since leaving MELODY MELLOW at the end of July, Aoi Marin has continued private photoshoots with fans—always under the watch of her manager.
But the incident has underlined how even controlled, managed spaces aren’t always safe from exploitation.
The idol-fan dynamic, often built on trust, is being tested by cases like this, sparking wider conversations on whether current safety practices are enough.
Aoi Marin’s warning is already rippling across the idol community, with fellow performers and fans expressing shock and solidarity online.
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