Fantasy Boys’ Kang Min-seo’s SOS Signal Sparks Concern During Livestream, Later Clarified as Misunderstanding
Fantasy Boys‘ Kang Min-seo sparked concern among fans after he repeatedly made a hand gesture during a live broadcast that resembled an international distress signal, but it has since been clarified as a simple misunderstanding.
During a live stream held on May 3, Kang Min-seo waved to the camera before making a gesture that many interpreted as an SOS hand signal. The gesture—involving folding the thumb into the palm and covering it with the remaining fingers—is recognized as a discreet distress signal used by victims of domestic violence or abuse to seek help without alerting their abuser.
The speculation intensified the next day, May 4, when Kang Min-seo was absent from a scheduled video call fan sign event. The event organizer, Everline, stated his absence was due to “health reasons”, but fans voiced strong concerns over the members’ well-being.
Soon after, videos of Kang Min-seo making the same gesture in other broadcasts and events spread rapidly online.
Previously, the Fantasy Boys members had expressed signs of fatigue. Kang Min-seo had posted messages on the fan communication platform saying things like “I don’t think I’m okay”, “It’s a bit too much” and “I just got off work.” Member Lee Han-bin revealed “I had to go to the hospital because my ear was bleeding”, while Hong Sung-min said, “I’ve been working non-stop since morning” and “Today was another tough day.” Fans began speculating that these were not merely expressions of tiredness but signs of emotional or psychological distress.
However, on May 5, Kang Min-seo addressed the concerns through the fan communication platform, explaining it was a misunderstanding caused by health issues. He said, “I felt like I needed to explain because it seemed like many people were startled by the last live broadcast. I’m recovering now. I’m sorry for making everyone worry so much.”
He continued, “At the time of the live broadcast, I was really exhausted and both my physical and mental state were poor. I didn’t do it with the intent people are misunderstanding it for, so I was very surprised that it escalated like this. I’m sorry.”
“I feel like I worried and troubled a lot of people, and I sincerely apologize. I’ll try to be more careful with my actions in the future,” he concluded.
While the incident has been clarified, it sheds light on the intense pressure idols often endure behind the scenes, sparking ongoing conversations about the importance of mental health in the entertainment industry.