Fact Check: Did ZEROBASEONE’s Gunwook Make NCT WISH’s Riku Fall?

On August 5, idols gathered to film for the Idol Stars Athletics Championship (ISAC) 2024, which will be broadcast during Korea’s Chuseok holiday in September.

The ISAC has always been controversial among K-Pop fans, with many even applauding when it didn’t air for almost two years. Due to the nature of the sports, there was always a concern for the idols getting injured or fandoms getting into fights during the games.

This year, one incident, particularly, caused a stir in two fandoms. They argued over whether an idol made another participant fall during the relay.

The idols in question were ZEROBASEONE’s Gunwook and NCT WISH’s Riku. During the relay, fans were divided on whether or not Gunwook made Riku trip as he fell.

위시팬들 제발 정신을 좀 차리면 안되나요?!!! 박건욱이 발을 걸어 넘어뜨렸다니뭐라니 이지랄 이영상보고도 그런말 나오나 보자 둘다 바닥 울퉁불퉁한 거 때문에 넘어진 거 같은데 ㅉ 건욱 탓을 하고 있노 심지어 사과까지 했는데 왤케 욕함? 할짓없음? https://t.co/peWQcEnrCW pic.twitter.com/367KrDGC48

— 🐰 (@shwtigood) August 5, 2024

NCT WISH fans, please get a grip. You guys keep saying he used his foot to make him fall, but can you say that while watching this video? It looks like both of them fell because the floor was bumpy. Why are you guys blaming Gunwook? He even apologized to Riku…why are you cursing at him? Do you have nothing better to do?

However, NCT WISH fans felt otherwise.

넘어지면서 닿은건 맞는데요? 왜 각도차이로 보이는영상으로 실제 발생한 상황까지 주작하려고 하세요? pic.twitter.com/YJlBhPteCp

— 눙이 (@nung4402) August 5, 2024

Gunwook touched Riku as he fell, though. Why are you trying to scam the situation by using a video from a different angle.

Seeing footage from a different angle, fans felt that Gunwook did touch Riku as he fell.

넘어지면서 닿은건 맞으니깐 가만히
계세요 https://t.co/NSbwkuHSKF pic.twitter.com/zXbrhEAGUA

— 눙이 (@nung4402) August 5, 2024

Gunwook did touch Riku while falling so everyone be quiet.

누가봐도 거누크가 우가우가 돌진하다가 왕자님한테 박치기한걸로보이는데요..? https://t.co/W2dFnfq62n pic.twitter.com/AQVZKWm0Qb

— ໊ (@pooptria21) August 5, 2024

Anyone can see that it looks like Gunwook fell and headbutted Riku…?

The incident garnered so much attention that it even started trending online. However, there were also many fans that wanted to end the situation in peace instead of starting fan wars.

건욱이 잘못으로 넘어졌는지 바닥때문에 리쿠님이 넘어졌는지 그냥 영상으로 보면 솔직히 잘 모르겠고 건욱이가 리쿠님한테 사과했고 착한 리쿠님이 바로 받아주셨고 2위로 올라가셨으니깐 제발 건욱이 그만 패시면 안되나요?..#리쿠 #박건욱 #아육대 #계주

— 혀나 (@Gunwook_01_10) August 5, 2024

Honestly, we can’t tell if Gunwook bumped into Riku while falling, and he already apologized to Riku, who has made it to second place. Could everyone please stop blaming Gunwook?

Other videos revealed Gunwook running up to Riku and apologizing many times, showing that they were both fine.

아 ㅅㅂ 리쿠한테 계주 사과하러오셧는데 저 웃는 리쿠 얼굴땜에 최종붕괴됨 리쿠야 기특해요 리쿠 존나멋잇어요 pic.twitter.com/gJ0uhyVw6L

— 푸하하.. (@sajeng__) August 5, 2024

The two were even seen smiling and walking out together.

건욱이랑 리쿠님이랑 포옹하고나갓어 😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/9lNvy3Ntsc

— pep (@txxmanycute) August 5, 2024

Although most were in a heated debate, some fans from both fandoms were also seen supporting one another in the comments.

• “I was also worried about it when Riku fell with Gunwook, but I’m glad they are both fine. I hope Riku is okay!”
• “Right? Zerose you guys worked hard.”
• “As a Zerose, thanks so much. I saw Gunwook apologize right away and saw them both hug. Thank so much.”
• “Yeah so nice to see how cool they both are.  Thanks to you, too.”

• “As a Zerose, I’m so thankful. I was tearing up seeing him apologize. I hope Riku wasn’t injured. I’m sorry and thank you.”
• “We’re even more thankful. I hope we can continue to be on good terms!”

What are your thoughts on this?