Creator Drama
Timeline of Gamix's Racist Gesture and Apology to Ateez San
Resolved
Cover: GenZHype original graphic. All clips and posts below are embedded from their original sources.
By the numbers: this timeline documents 7 events from Jun 26, 2026 to Aug 25, 2026, drawn from 4 sources.
“I sincerely apologize for the gesture I made,”
via biz.heraldcorp.com
Background
Gamix is a Japanese social media influencer born in 2007 who primarily creates content focused on soccer. He has amassed a significant following of approximately 2.16 million followers across his platforms. He first gained widespread international attention during the 2026 FIFA World Cup held in North and Central America, where a viral video captured him breaking down in tears while surrounded by Brazilian fans following Japan's defeat.
The controversy centers around the song "BAD," the title track from the K-pop group Ateez's 14th mini-album, "GOLDEN HOUR : Part.5," which was released on June 26, 2026. The song's dance challenge became a viral trend online.
Specifically, Ateez member Choi San performed the challenge on August 9, 2026, after participating in a ceremonial first kick at a Coupang Play Series match between Manchester City and Atletico Madrid at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, where he wore an Atletico Madrid jersey.
In June 2026, during a South Korea-Czech Republic match at the North and Central America World Cup, a spectator reportedly performs an 'eye-pulling' gesture. Following international backlash, FIFA allegedly bans the individual from entering stadiums, highlighting the global condemnation of the gesture as a racist caricature of East Asian appearance [2].
The timeline
-
Release of 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.5'
Ateez releases their 14th mini-album titled 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.5,' featuring the title track 'BAD.' The song subsequently appears to generate significant online buzz through its associated dance challenge.[4]
-
Choi San's 'BAD' Challenge Performance
Ateez member Choi San reportedly performs the 'BAD' dance challenge at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. This occurs after he reportedly takes the ceremonial first kick for a match between Atletico Madrid and Manchester City, during which he wears an Atletico Madrid jersey.[3]
Screenshot of koreaherald.com, captured Oct 3, 2026. Source [3] -
Gamix Posts Parody Video
Japanese influencer Gamix reportedly uploads a video to his social media accounts recreating Choi San's 'BAD' dance challenge. In the video, Gamix reportedly wears a shirt designed to look like the Atletico Madrid jersey worn by San, and a photo of San is displayed at the bottom of the screen. While mimicking the choreography and facial expressions, Gamix allegedly uses both hands to pull the outer corners of his eyes sideways, a gesture widely recognized as a racist 'slant-eye' caricature of Ea[1]
Screenshot of biz.heraldcorp.com, captured Oct 3, 2026. Source [1] -
Initial Deletion of Video
As online criticism mounts, Gamix reportedly deletes the original 'BAD' challenge video from his social media accounts. He reportedly does so without providing an initial explanation or apology to the affected parties.[1]
-
Controversial Follow-up Video
Gamix uploads a second clip in an attempt to address the situation. In the video, he points to his own puffy eyes and states, 'These are Asian eyes,' claiming that his eyes do not open every morning. This leads to further backlash, with critics and Korean online communities arguing that the video continues to mock East Asian physical appearance and attempts to brush off the offensive nature of the previous gesture.[2]
Screenshot of biz.heraldcorp.com, captured Oct 3, 2026. Source [2] -
Deletion of Second Video
Following continued outrage and comments suggesting that Westerners would laugh at the content, Gamix reportedly deletes the second video regarding 'Asian eyes'.[4]
-
Formal Apology Issued
Four days after the initial controversy began, Gamix posts a video titled 'I sincerely apologize.' Dressed in a black suit, he apologizes to Choi San, the other members of Ateez, their fans, and the Korean community. Gamix claims that as an East Asian himself, he intended the gesture as self-deprecating humor, alleging he naively believed that mocking the gesture himself would lessen its weight. He denies having feelings of hatred or contempt and concludes the video by kneeling and bowing until his forehead touches the floor.[1]
Our read of the evidence
Partly documented. All seven timeline entries are derived exclusively from reports by three news outlets, with no primary source confirmation cited. The apology itself is also based solely on those reports, lacking independent verification. Consequently, the account is only partly documented.
Our rating counts evidence, not opinions about anyone: events confirmed by a primary source (the person's own post, their official site, a court or government record) weigh most, then how many independent outlets report the story.
Who is involved
Featured
Frequently asked
What gesture did Gamix make that caused the controversy?
Gamix used both hands to pull the outer corners of his eyes sideways while mimicking Ateez member Choi San. This 'slant-eye' or 'eye-pulling' gesture is widely recognized as a racist caricature mocking the appearance of East Asians.
How did Gamix justify his actions in his apology?
Gamix claimed that because he is also Asian, he used the gesture as a form of self-deprecating humor. He stated he had 'naively thought' that reframing the gesture as humor would lessen the meaning and weight of the act.
Who is Gamix?
Gamix is a Japanese influencer born in 2007 with approximately 2.16 million followers, known primarily for his soccer-related content and for a viral video of him crying after Japan's loss to Brazil during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
What was the specific context of the video Gamix was parodying?
Gamix was recreating the 'BAD' dance challenge by Ateez. He specifically mimicked a performance by member Choi San, who had performed the challenge after a ceremonial kickoff at a match between Manchester City and Atletico Madrid on August 9, 2026.
More related drama (4)
Sources (4)
- biz.heraldcorp.com, Japanese influencer Gamix kneels in apology to Ateez's San over racist 'eye-pulling' gesture, Aug 25, 2026.
- biz.heraldcorp.com, Ateez's Choi San mocked with racist 'eye-pulling' gesture during 'BAD' challenge video, Aug 21, 2026.
- koreaherald.com, Japanese influencer slammed for racist eye gesture mocking Ateez’s San, Aug 21, 2026.
- koreatimes.co.kr, Japanese influencer sparks backlash with 'slant-eye' parody of ATEEZ member San, Aug 21, 2026.
Cite this timeline
This timeline compiles 7 dated events from 4 sources. If it helped your reporting, cite it:
GenZHype. “Timeline of Gamix's Racist Gesture and Apology to Ateez San.”
GenZHype, 29 August 2026,
https://genzhype.com/drama/timeline-of-gamix-s-racist-gesture-and-apology-to-ateez-san/.