A manager for the K-pop group ZEROBASEONE (ZB1) is under fire after being filmed using alleged excessive force against fans during the group’s departure from Incheon International Airport on July 31, en route to KCON LA 2025. The chaotic scene saw a large crowd of fans following the group closely, many with phones raised to capture the moment.
In the midst of the crowd, a male manager was recorded forcefully shoving fans who got near the group and even raising his fist in a threatening gesture — as if preparing to strike. The videos, captured by fans and widely shared on social media, show multiple individuals stumbling backward from the impact. One fan can be heard shouting, “Why are you doing this?” Others online have claimed they were physically hit by the manager, with one post alleging direct contact.
Though some have speculated that those pushed may not have been official ZB1 fans, this has not been verified. The airport was reportedly crowded with fans of multiple K-pop acts, as several groups were heading to Los Angeles for the KCON festival.
What further fueled the backlash was the public recognition of the manager in question. He had appeared on the April 27 episode of MBC’s popular reality show Omniscient Interfering View, where he discussed ZB1’s backstage dynamics and eating habits, making him a familiar face to fans.
As the video continues to gain traction, netizens have voiced outrage over the manager’s aggressive actions, accusing him of using unnecessary force under the pretext of protecting the idols.
The agency WAKEONE acknowledged that “the person in the video is indeed the manager”, but did not comment on whether actual physical assault occurred.
This incident has reignited a long-standing debate in the K-pop community about the line between safety and aggression in managing fan interactions at public venues like airports.
However, the issue also raises questions about fan behavior. Overcrowding and chaotic mobbing at airports have long been a source of concern for other passengers, staff, and even the idols themselves. BTS member V recently addressed this topic in a livestream, reminding fans: “The airport doesn’t belong to us. It’s a shared space, so let’s all respect the rules and maintain order.”
Sources: nate
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