Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Gamix Faces Backlash Over Gesture in ATEEZ San Challenge
Gamix made a video copying ATEEZ member San’s “BAD” dance challenge.
He also copied San’s facial expressions and clothing.
At the end, Gamix pulled the corners of his eyes sideways.
Many people said this gesture was racist because it mocks East Asian people.
Gamix deleted the first video after people criticized it.
He later made another video explaining that he called his eyes “Asian eyes.”
Critics said that explanation did not properly address the problem.
That second video was also deleted.
Gamix is a Japanese influencer who makes soccer and lifestyle videos.
Japanese influencer Gamix posted a video parodying ATEEZ member San’s viral “BAD” dance challenge on August 20.
The video included San’s image, his dance and facial expressions, and a recreation of his football jersey.
Gamix then pulled the outer corners of his eyes sideways, a gesture critics described as a racist caricature of East Asians.
After deleting the video, Gamix posted a follow-up referring to his eyes as “Asian eyes,” which was also later deleted.
Gamix, known for soccer and lifestyle content, reportedly has more than 2 million Instagram followers and over 1 million YouTube subscribers.
- Who
- Japanese influencer and YouTuber Gamix, and ATEEZ member San.
- What
- Gamix faced backlash after parodying San’s “BAD” dance challenge while making a controversial eye gesture.
- When
- The parody video was posted on August 20; the article does not specify the year.
- Where
- The videos were posted online, with the controversy spreading across social media.
- Why
- Critics said pulling the corners of his eyes sideways was a racist caricature of East Asians, and they found his follow-up explanation inadequate.
Critics and fans
Gamix’s stated explanation
Meaning of the eye gesture
Critics and fans
Critics and social media users said the gesture was a racist caricature used to mock East Asian physical features, especially because Gamix was imitating a Korean artist.
Gamix’s stated explanation
Gamix’s follow-up video pointed to his eyes and called them “Asian eyes,” saying that his eyes do not fully open in the morning.
Adequacy of the response
Critics and fans
Critics said deleting the original video and posting the follow-up did not properly address the controversy, leading to further backlash.
Gamix’s stated explanation
The article reports that Gamix issued an apology video, but it does not provide the full wording or details of that apology.
- Influencer
- Gamix is a Japanese content creator known for soccer and lifestyle videos.
- Original video
- The parody was posted on August 20 and recreated San’s dance, facial expressions and football jersey.
- Controversial gesture
- Gamix pulled the outer corners of his eyes sideways with both hands.
- Follow-up response
- He referred to his eyes as “Asian eyes” and said they do not fully open in the morning.
- Audience size
- Gamix reportedly has over 2 million Instagram followers and more than 1 million YouTube subscribers.
- ATEEZ debut
- ATEEZ debuted on October 24, 2018, with the EP “Treasure EP.1: All to Zero”.
- Group members
- ATEEZ is an eight-member South Korean boy band formed by KQ Entertainment.