ZEROBASEONE's Park Gunwook became a hot topic on social media after allegations emerged that he had a hickey on his neck. This happened when Gunwook and Seok Matthew were guests on the MBC show, Close Friends, hosted by Taerae from ZEROBASEONE on September 22, 2026 .
In the episode, Gunwook was seen complimenting Matthew, but when he turned around, the red mark on his neck was clearly visible. When this news broke, many fans and netizens claimed that the marks resembled hickeys.
Although Gunwook explained that the marks were the result of Gyeongack, a traditional deep Korean massage, many doubted his claim. On Twitter, the account @gunxhism posted, "Gunwook got a gyeongack massage and felt a big mark on his neck, so he said it wasn't a kiss mark."
However, the alleged hickeys sparked a mixed reaction among social media users. Some accounts even commented derogatorily, questioning the massage technique's ability to cause such precise marks. One viral comment read, "Where is there a neck massage technique that can leave such marks? You're an idiot!"
Amidst the flood of negative comments, some fans have come forward to defend Gunwook. One Twitter user expressed, "This is beyond 'being a fan' or having an opinion. The constant sexualization, insults, and invasive comments about Gunwook are disgusting.
Some of you have lost the ability to recognize boundaries." WAKEONE, the agency that houses ZEROBASEONE, has also come under scrutiny for its perceived failure to address the negative comments Gunwook has received.
Some fans are calling for the agency to take immediate legal action to protect their idol from the ongoing attacks. The account @soloveook wrote, "We demand that you act immediately to protect Gunwook from this ongoing hate."
This situation highlights how fragile an idol's privacy is in the K-Pop world, where their every move and action is constantly scrutinized and commented on. The debate over the boundaries of privacy and individual rights is increasingly prominent, especially in the context of fandoms, which can sometimes be extremely fanatical.
Despite Gunwook's attempts to explain the situation, it's not uncommon for fans and netizens to get caught up in subjective opinions that can be detrimental to an idol's mental health.
Meanwhile, support for Gunwook continues to pour in from fans who want their idol to receive the protection he deserves. Discussions on social media indicate that many believe Gunwook shouldn't have fallen victim to the toxic culture that often plagues the entertainment industry.
With all the attention he's receiving, it's hoped that Gunwook can stay focused on his career and not be distracted by the negative comments circulating. After all, fans hope their idols will be more appreciated and protected from harmful opinions.
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