ENHYPEN fans criticize BELIFT LAB for ‘mistreating’ Ni-ki due to his Japanese nationality

ENHYPEN fans are calling out the group's company, BELIFT LAB, for the recent treatment of member Ni-ki.

On January 30, ENHYPEN was spotted departing from Incheon Airport and heading to China for a fan meeting event.

Amid rising China-Japan tensions, many Japanese K-pop idols have either not been able to get work visas to perform in China, or have endured negative treatment while performing. As a result, many fans were worried over whether Ni-ki, ENHYPEN's only Japanese member, would be able to participate in the fan sign.

While ENHYPEN at first appeared to greet fans normally, some fans quickly noticed Ni-ki's unusual behavior. At the airport, Ni-ki was seen standing behind a pillar as if hiding, while the rest of the group stood out in the open for pictures. Reportedly, Ni-ki 'hid' for so long that even the photographers there became confused, asking why he was hiding.

THIS IS SO SICK...

ENHYPEN IS 7
BELIFT RESPECT NI-KI#FairTreatmentForNI_KI pic.twitter.com/EQ6ZGqCflR

— ً (@heeyunkiarchive) January 31, 2026

Fans are accusing BELIFT LAB of instructing Ni-ki to stand off to the side, excluding him from the group.

At the Hong Kong fan sign, Ni-ki was also seen visibly shaking and nervous. As he attempted to greet fans in Chinese, he was continually interrupted by fans shouting, which caused him to stop speaking. Fans also noted that Ni-ki appeared nervous and unhappy throughout the event.

Someone said Ni-ki’s legs were shaking the whole time he was speaking Chinese to deliver his message to ENGENEs, probably because he was nervous…
He’s really just a baby, meant to be protected at all costs. 🥺#NI_KI #니키 #ニキ #西村力 #ENHYPEN #엔하이픈 pic.twitter.com/ipcUoqT6xK

— 니키만보여 (@enhypenalia) January 31, 2026

they made him hide for the group pic at the airport, he kept a low profile at the event and when he had to introduce himself, they interrupted him. look at his face, how he stopped talking. just because he's japanese.

ENHYPEN IS 7#FairTreatmentForNI_KI@BELIFTLAB @ENHYPEN pic.twitter.com/qdB15KPuVW

— it's lili? IT'S A KNIFE!🐥🔪 (@crazyoverni_ki) January 31, 2026

normally Ni-ki is laughing at his hyungs antics but today he couldn’t even crack a smile. You can tell his heart is heavy. ☹️
pic.twitter.com/qRvEJnh8tm

— Sola - Fck Belift🌒 (@moonbeamriki) January 31, 2026

At a later performance, fans even noticed that while the rest of ENHYPEN was standing on the stage, Ni-ki was made to stand off to the side.

In response to Ni-ki's alleged mistreatment, fans are currently trending the hastag '#FairTreatmentForNi_Ki,' with tens of thousands of posts so far. Fans are calling for BELIFT LAB to treat Ni-ki more fairly and equally to the rest of ENHYPEN.