A Japanese influencer who imitated ATEEZ member San and made an 'eye‑narrowing' gesture that sparked accusations of racial discrimination has finally apologized.
Japanese influencer Gamix posted a video on his social media on the 24th with the words "I am sincerely sorry."
In the released video, Gamix appears in a black suit, kneels and bows his head. He said, "I sincerely apologize for the gesture I made. I also apologize to San‑nim and the ATEEZ members, the fans and those in the Korean community who felt hurt and uncomfortable because of it."
He went on, "I am also Asian. And I used that gesture as a self‑deprecating joke that lowers myself. I have seen people overseas take racist derogatory expressions and turn expressions used against them into humor," adding, "I thought, naively, that as an East Asian myself, using this discriminatory gesture to ridicule myself and turn it into humor might somehow lessen the weight or meaning of that discriminatory act."
Finally, he conveyed his apology, saying, "I have no hatred or contempt at all. That goes for San‑nim and the Korean people, and the K‑pop community. Once again, I apologize to Choi San of ATEEZ and to everyone who was hurt or offended by my actions. I sincerely apologize."
Earlier, Gamix posted a video on his social media following the currently trending ATEEZ "BAD" challenge. While showing a photo of San at the bottom of the screen and imitating his dance and facial expressions, he performed the so‑called 'eye‑narrowing' motion by pulling the outer corners of his eyes sideways with both hands, sparking controversy.
Because that gesture is widely recognized as a racist expression that mocks or belittles the physical features of East Asians, K‑pop fans' criticism was strong, and Gamix ultimately deleted the video and apologized.
[Photo] SNS
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