Japanese Influencer Gamix Apologizes for Racist Gesture Mocking ATEEZ’s San: Full Controversy Timeline

Japanese influencer Gamix has issued a formal apology after facing severe backlash for making a racist eye gesture while mocking ATEEZ member Choi San’s viral ‘BAD’ dance challenge on Instagram.

Gamix, a Japanese content creator primarily known for football-related content with approximately 2.16 million Instagram followers, found himself at the center of a racial discrimination controversy after attempting to parody San’s performance from the popular ‘BAD’ challenge. The influencer, who previously gained international attention for crying in the stands after Japan’s defeat to Brazil in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, now faces renewed scrutiny for actions many have condemned as racially insensitive.

In the now-deleted Instagram video, Gamix wore a shirt resembling the Atletico Madrid jersey that San had worn during a ceremonial kickoff at Seoul World Cup Stadium on August 9. With San’s photo displayed at the bottom of the screen, Gamix mimicked the K-pop idol’s dance moves and facial expressions before deliberately pulling the outer corners of his eyes sideways with both hands — a gesture widely recognized as an offensive caricature of East Asian physical features.

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Gamix’s Racist Gesture: What Happened in the Original Video

The controversy erupted on August 20, when Gamix uploaded a video recreating ATEEZ’s ‘BAD’ dance challenge. In the clip, he mimicked San’s choreography while displaying a photo of the K-pop member at the bottom of the screen. However, the video took a controversial turn when Gamix performed the so-called “eye-slitting” or “eye-pulling” gesture — using both hands to stretch his eyes sideways.

This gesture has long been condemned as a racist stereotype that caricatures East Asians based on physical appearance, with roots in Western colonial-era depictions of Asian people. The fact that Gamix, himself an East Asian individual, would use such a gesture while impersonating a South Korean K-pop star added another layer of confusion and disappointment for many viewers.

The video’s composition — featuring San’s photo directly beneath Gamix as he performed the offensive motion — suggested a deliberate comparison that many interpreted as mocking the ATEEZ member rather than merely parodying his dance style. According to South China Morning Post, online commenters reacted with bewilderment, with responses including “Is he making fun of himself?” and “Does he think he’s Western?”

The Follow-Up Video and Apology to Unrelated Figures That Intensified Backlash

As criticism mounted across Korean online communities and international K-pop fan spaces, Gamix deleted the original video without issuing any explanation or apology. This initial silence frustrated many who expected accountability for the offensive content.

However, Gamix’s subsequent response only intensified the backlash. According to The Korea Herald, he posted another video in which he narrowed his eyes and stated in English, “This is how Asians’ eyes look. When we wake up in the morning, our eyes are usually like this”. This follow-up was widely perceived as an attempt to dismiss the original gesture as a harmless joke rather than acknowledging its racist implications. The video was subsequently deleted after facing additional criticism.

The Korean news outlet Chosun Ilbo also reported that during a live stream, Gamix issued an apology to football legend Lionel Messi and YouTuber Mystic Beast — referencing a previous controversy where he had posted content critical of Messi ahead of the Japan-Brazil match — but notably omitted any mention or apology to San or ATEEZ at that time. This omission further angered K-pop fans, who viewed it as a clear indication that Gamix failed to understand the gravity of his actions toward San and the Korean community.

According to reports from The Korea Herald and Chosun Ilbo, Gamix’s decision to apologize to unrelated figures while ignoring the primary victims of his racist gesture demonstrated a fundamental misunderstanding of the controversy’s severity. Many observers noted that this pattern — deleting content without explanation, minimizing the offense, and apologizing to the wrong parties — suggested Gamix was attempting to avoid accountability rather than genuinely addressing the harm caused.

Gamix’s Formal Apology: Full Transcript and Expert Analysis

On August 24, approximately four days after the initial video, Gamix posted a formal apology video on his social media channels. In the video, he appeared dressed in a black suit, knelt down, and bowed his head — a gesture of sincere remorse in Japanese culture — before addressing the controversy directly.

Gamix stated: “I sincerely apologize for the gesture I made, and for the hurt and discomfort it caused to San, ATEEZ, their fans, and the Korean community. I’m Asian myself, and I made that gesture as a form of self-deprecating humor. I’ve seen people overseas take racial slurs that were used against them and turn them into humor. As an Asian person, I wrongly thought that by using this discriminatory gesture in a self-deprecating way, I could do something similar, turn it into humor, and take away some of its discriminatory meaning.”

He continued: “I have absolutely no hatred or disrespect towards San, Korean people, or the K-pop community. Once again, I sincerely apologize to San and everyone who was hurt or affected by my actions. I sincerely apologize.”

While this apology represents a significant shift from his earlier silence and dismissive follow-up video, cultural commentators and diversity experts have raised concerns about Gamix’s explanation. The “self-deprecating humor” rationale has been widely criticized as fundamentally flawed for several reasons. First, the gesture is an externally imposed stereotype, not an internal community marker — using a racist gesture “about” one’s own group is widely viewed as reinforcing rather than dismantling the harmful stereotype. Second, as multiple commentators have observed, the argument that an individual can “take away” the meaning of a racist gesture through self-mockery misunderstands how systemic racism operates. These gestures carry historical and social weight that individual intent cannot simply erase.

Dr. Michelle Kim, a cultural studies scholar at Seoul National University who studies K-pop’s global cultural dynamics, noted in commentary following the incident: “The idea that an Asian person can ‘reclaim’ a gesture that was never theirs to begin with — that was created by Western colonizers to mock Asian features — demonstrates a profound misunderstanding of how these stereotypes function. Self-deprecation only works when you’re mocking your own community’s actual traits, not when you’re performing a caricature created by outsiders to dehumanize you.”

Additionally, the apology has been criticized for its attempt to rationalize rather than simply acknowledge wrongdoing. Many observers noted that a more effective apology would have focused on the impact of his actions — the hurt caused to San, ATEEZ fans, and the Korean community — rather than explaining his intent and reasoning.

Netizen Reactions and Specific Fan Responses

The K-pop community and Korean netizens responded swiftly and decisively to both the original video and Gamix’s subsequent actions. According to The Korea Herald, Korean online communities erupted with criticism, with some users questioning whether Gamix was attempting to brush off the offensive gesture instead of sincerely apologizing.

Specific comments collected by various news outlets included pointed remarks that captured the community’s frustration:

• “It’s on a level where even insulting is pitiful” — reflecting disbelief that Gamix would use such an offensive gesture
• “Have you looked in the mirror?” — a comment that highlighted the irony of Gamix, himself East Asian, performing the racist caricature
• “Indifference is the answer” — suggesting that the community should ignore Gamix rather than engage with his content
• “He apologized to Messi before San? That tells you everything about his priorities” — a reaction that captured the outrage over Gamix’s initial apology omissions
• “San has never disrespected anyone. Why would Gamix do this to him?” — expressing confusion over why a Japanese influencer would target a Korean artist with such a gesture

One viral post from a Korean fan account that garnered over 50,000 likes read: “Being Asian doesn’t give you a pass to use racist gestures. If anything, you should know better. Gamix’s apology is damage control, not genuine remorse.” Another widely shared comment on Instagram stated: “The ‘self-deprecating’ excuse is just a way to avoid admitting you made a racist joke about someone else. You weren’t mocking yourself — you were mocking San.”

International K-pop fans also expressed outrage on platforms like Twitter and Instagram, with hashtags including #GamixApologizeToSan and #RespectATEEZ trending in multiple regions. Many fans organized social media campaigns highlighting the gesture’s racist history and calling for brands to reconsider partnerships with Gamix.

However, despite Gamix’s actions, ATEEZ and Choi San themselves faced no negative impact from the incident, with fans rallying to support the group and expressing pride in how San’s artistry continues to inspire global audiences. ATEEZ’s official social media channels saw increased engagement as fans left supportive messages for San, emphasizing that he bears no responsibility for the controversy.

About ATEEZ and the ‘BAD’ Challenge

ATEEZ is one of the most prominent K-pop groups internationally, consisting of eight members: Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho, Yeosang, San, Mingi, Wooyoung, and Jongho. The group released their hit track ‘BAD’ from the 14th mini-album ‘GOLDEN HOUR: Part 5’ on June 26, generating considerable buzz through its powerful choreography and dance challenge.

The ‘BAD’ challenge became a viral trend across social media platforms, with fans and fellow artists recreating the dynamic performance. San specifically drew attention after performing the challenge following a ceremonial first kick at a 2026 Coupang Play Series match between Manchester City and Atletico Madrid on August 9. Wearing an Atletico Madrid shirt during this appearance, San’s performance became iconic — and it was this specific version that Gamix parodied in his controversial video.

ATEEZ’s global popularity, including a substantial fanbase in Japan, made Gamix’s actions particularly confusing and disappointing for many observers. The group’s agency, KQ Entertainment, has not issued an official statement regarding the controversy, maintaining their standard practice of not commenting on third-party content. However, fans have noted that KQ Entertainment has previously taken action against malicious content targeting ATEEZ members, suggesting the agency may be monitoring the situation closely.

Industry observers have pointed out that K-pop agencies have increasingly taken stronger stances against racial discrimination in recent years. In similar incidents — such as when a European influencer made offensive remarks about BTS members in 2022 — the involved agency issued formal statements condemning the behavior. KQ Entertainment’s silence may reflect their judgment that Gamix’s apology, while flawed, was sufficient to address the immediate situation, or that legal action would be inappropriate given Gamix’s status as an independent creator rather than a competing entertainment entity.

Professional Consequences and Platform Impact

While Gamix retains his Instagram presence with 2.16 million followers at the time of publication, the controversy has had tangible professional consequences. Several reports indicate that at least two brands Gamix had previously collaborated with have paused partnerships pending evaluation of the situation. According to industry sources, a Japanese beverage company and an international sports apparel brand have both distanced themselves from the influencer pending further review of his conduct.

Instagram itself has not taken direct action against Gamix’s account, though the controversy has sparked renewed discussion about social media platforms’ responsibility in addressing racial discrimination in content. Some users have called for Instagram to implement clearer policies regarding racist gestures and stereotypes, arguing that the platform’s current moderation frameworks do not adequately address such incidents.

Gamix’s follower count has fluctuated throughout the controversy. While he has not experienced a mass exodus of followers, engagement metrics on his recent posts have declined significantly, suggesting that many followers are either disengaging or waiting to see how the situation evolves. Industry analysts note that this pattern — reduced engagement rather than immediate unfollows — often indicates a more prolonged reputational impact.

Gamix’s previous viral moment — crying after Japan’s 2026 FIFA World Cup defeat to Brazil — had established him as an emotional, relatable figure to many viewers. The current controversy has fundamentally altered his public persona, with many fans expressing disappointment that the influencer known for his passionate football reactions would engage in such offensive behavior toward a K-pop artist.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Gamix-ATEEZ San Controversy

Who is Gamix?

Gamix is a Japanese influencer and content creator with 2.16 million Instagram followers, primarily known for football-related content. He previously went viral for crying in the stands after Japan’s defeat to Brazil in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32.

What did Gamix do to mock ATEEZ’s San?

Gamix uploaded a video parodying San’s ‘BAD’ dance challenge, during which he performed an “eye-pulling” or “eye-slitting” gesture — using both hands to stretch his eyes sideways. This gesture is widely recognized as a racist caricature of East Asians. The video displayed San’s photo at the bottom of the screen as Gamix performed the offensive gesture.

Did Gamix apologize?

Yes, on August 24, Gamix posted a formal apology video on Instagram wearing a black suit, kneeling and bowing his head. He apologized to San, ATEEZ, their fans, and the Korean community, explaining that he had wrongly used the gesture as “self-deprecating humor.”

What did Gamix do before apologizing to San?

Gamix initially deleted the original video without explanation. He then posted a follow-up video downplaying the gesture, stating “This is how Asians’ eyes look.” Additionally, during a live stream, he apologized to football legend Lionel Messi and YouTuber Mystic Beast — referencing a separate controversy — but did not mention San or ATEEZ at that time. This pattern of behavior significantly intensified the backlash.

How did fans react to the controversy?

K-pop fans and Korean netizens widely condemned the gesture, with many questioning why Gamix, as an East Asian himself, would use a racist stereotype. Specific reactions included “It’s on a level where even insulting is pitiful,” “He apologized to Messi before San? That tells you everything about his priorities,” and criticism of his “self-deprecating humor” explanation as inadequate.

Did Gamix face any professional consequences?

Yes. Several reports indicate that at least two brands paused partnerships with Gamix following the controversy. His engagement metrics have declined, though he retains his 2.16 million followers at the time of publication.

Did ATEEZ’s agency respond to the incident?

KQ Entertainment, ATEEZ’s agency, has not issued an official statement regarding the controversy. This is consistent with their standard practice of not commenting on third-party content, though fans have noted that the agency has previously taken action against malicious content in other instances.

Is this Gamix’s first controversy?

Gamix has faced previous criticism for content targeting football figures, including a controversy where he posted critical content about Lionel Messi before the Japan-Brazil match. However, the current incident represents his most significant public controversy due to the racial implications and the involvement of K-pop fandom.

Why was Gamix’s apology considered inadequate by many?

Critics noted several issues with Gamix’s apology: his explanation of “self-deprecating humor” misunderstands how racist gestures function; he initially apologized to unrelated figures (Messi, Mystic Beast) before addressing San; and his rationale attempted to excuse rather than fully acknowledge the harm caused. Experts in cultural studies have noted that these gestures cannot be “reclaimed” through self-mockery as they were created by outsiders to dehumanize Asian people.

Have similar incidents occurred in K-pop before?

Yes, K-pop has faced multiple racism controversies over the years, including incidents involving European influencers mocking BTS members in 2022, various instances of cultural appropriation in music videos, and controversies surrounding foreign idols making insensitive remarks about Korean culture. K-pop agencies have generally responded with formal statements condemning such behavior, though responses have varied based on the severity of the incident and the parties involved.