Controversy over 'eye-slanting' performance... Japanese influencer Gamix apologizes to ATEEZ mountain and fans

Japanese influencer Gamix apologized for the controversial ″eye-pulling″ gesture made while parodying a challenge video by San (real name Choi San) of the group ATEEZ. On the morning of the 24th, Gamix posted a video on his account along with a message saying, ″I sincerely apologize.″ In the video, Gamix, dressed in a black suit, bows and states, ″I sincerely apologize for the gesture I made.″ He continued, ″I also apologize to San, the members of ATEEZ, the fans, and the Korean community who were hurt and felt uncomfortable because of it.″ Gamix further explained, ″I am also Asian. I used that gesture as a self-deprecating humor to belittle myself. I have seen people overseas take racist derogatory expressions directed at them and turn those expressions into humor.″ He added, ″Similarly, as an East Asian, I thought naively that by humorously mocking myself with this discriminatory gesture (eye-pulling), I could somewhat lessen the weight and meaning of that discriminatory act.″ Gamix said, ″I have no hateful or dismissive feelings toward San, Koreans, or the K-pop community,″ and bowed his head, saying, ″Once again, I apologize to San of ATEEZ and to those who were hurt or offended by my actions.″ Earlier, on the 20th, Gamix posted a video on his account imitating ATEEZ’s ’BAD’ challenge. In the video, while continuing the challenge with a photo of San displayed at the bottom of the screen, he made a gesture pulling the corners of his eyes outward with both hands, sparking accusations of racism. He later deleted the video but posted an apology video after criticism continued.