Popular K-Pop Idol Spotted With “Hickey,” Goes Viral

Recently, ZEROBASEONE‘s Park Gunwook went viral for an unexpected reason.

On September 22, Gunwook and Seok Matthew appeared as guests on MBC’s Close Friends, hosted by ZEROBASEONE’s Taerae

During the episode, Gunwook and Matthew spoke, and Gunwook complimented Matthew. At one point, Gunwook turned his head, making a red mark on his neck visible.

Some claimed that the mark resembled a hickey, and expressing the belief that is what it was, even though Gunwook explained that the mark came from a Gyeongack, or traditional Korean deep tissue massage.

gunwook got a gyeongack massage and it felt a huge mark on his neck so he’s saying it’s not a kiss mark 😭 pic.twitter.com/rNMCMdaTFx

— 꾸 🍎 (@gunxhism) September 22, 2026

first idol with hickey allegations where the hickey actually looks like an actual hickey pic.twitter.com/J1cHeqRAmG

— ganjanggaejang (@ganjang9gaejang) September 23, 2026

like im not believing anyone who says it isn’t ive never seen a more hickey looking hickey

— myet ♡ is marking (@catgirlgrindset) September 23, 2026

A post accusing Gunwook of lying also went viral, causing a large influx of hate directed towards the idol and his private life.

首のマッサージでこんなピンポイントに跡できる施術がどこにあんねんボケナス
成人にもなってイキリ散らかすのガチ笑い止まらん
タトゥーやらセックスやら色々公開で見せびらかしてるけど遅れて発情期が来た非モテのそれでしかないからいい加減に辞めてくれこっちが恥ずかしいわ pic.twitter.com/HbKkGFDm9l

— ｳｸﾁｬﾝ (@gunwoo0110) September 22, 2026

Where the hell is there a neck massage technique that can leave marks this precisely, you dumbass? I seriously can’t stop laughing at how he’s still acting all cocky like this even as a grown adult. He’s publicly showing off tattoos, sex, and all sorts of things, but it’s nothing more than an unpopular guy hitting puberty late and suddenly getting horny. Please, just stop already—I’m embarrassed for you.

— OP

Many spoke up in defense of Gunwook, pushing back against the comments being made venturing into malicious territory.

this has gone WAY beyond “being a fan” or having an opinion. the constant sexualization, humiliation, invasive comments, privacy violations and harassment toward gunwook are fucking disgusting. some of you have completely lost the ability to recognize a boundary.

you don’t get…

— wookie ~ EMP is back 🔜 ❤️‍🔥 (@gw0110p05) September 23, 2026

WAKEONE’s silence and ignorance towards the hate that Gunwook has been receiving is very disappointing. We demand you take immediate legal action against the constant hate directed towards Gunwook.@wakeone_offcl @ZB1staff

WAKEONE PROTECT GUNWOOK#TreatGunwookBetter

— 🔝sol` (@soloveook) September 23, 2026

🚨 REPORT & BLOCK – DO NOT ENGAGE 🚨

Using harmful language against GW

🔗 ACC: @ gunwoo0110
🔗 POST :

REPORT AS:
– Abuse & Hrssmnt > Targeted Hrssmnt
– Hate > Incitement
– Violent Speech
– Spam

— GUNWOOK PROTECT (@GUNWOOKPROTECT) September 23, 2026