Park Gun Wook, a member of project group ZEROBASEONE, is receiving mixed remarks from Korean netizens after choosing to remain neutral on the topic of the Asian Games soccer final between Korea and Japan.
According to media reports, the topic came up when Park Gun Wook communicated with fans via an October 7 live stream, shortly before the final game. "We won't be able to watch the soccer game together," the idol commented. "Since the match is between Korea and Japan, idols should remain neutral. Please be understanding."
Korean netizens poured into online community boards to respond to his words, particularly considering that Park Gun Wook is Korean himself. Many urged the idol not to use the word 'neutral' in a situation between Korea and Japan, with comments including, "I don't mean to promote anti-Japanese sentiment, but who wants to remain neutral in a match between Korea and Japan? Couldn't this be because Japan has a large [K-pop] market?" and "If you're of mixed Korean-Japanese blood, saying something like this is acceptable. Other than that, it's just bulls--t and empty talk."
However, others showed sympathy for the idol, adding, "From the looks of it, the agency probably insisted he responds like this, so stop beating up on the kid," "I think he made a mistake with his words, but it's a shame that he's being criticized like this," and "He's not saying that he won't support Korea. He made a mistake with his words while delivering what the agency probably wanted him to say. Haters, please stop making a big deal out of it." It was also pointed out that Park Gun Wook had made a point of expressing his excitement about watching the Korea-Japan match on the broadcast from the day prior, so it was likely that his agency had talked to him about how he should talk about the match moving forward.
Meanwhile, Park Gun Wook debuted with ZEROBASEONE in July after representing Jellyfish Entertainment as a contestant on Mnet's 'Boys Planet.'
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