ZEROBASEONE’s Zhang Hao Under Fire For “Obnoxious” Response To Fan

Usually, interactions between fans and K-Pop idols on messaging apps such as Bubble and the like are light-hearted, encouraging, and entertaining. However, a recent response by ZEROBASEONE‘s Zhang Hao to a weary fan has some people criticizing him for being insensitive, though it may be a case of misunderstanding.

The fan in the interaction made a forlorn comment about the difficulty of their college life, having to do assignments and study. In response, Zhang Hao told them to try living the K-Pop idol life.

Comment: I have to study and do my assignments… Living as a university student is so hard ㅠㅠ 

Zhang Hao: Try living the idol life

Without context, his reaction definitely sounds harsh and critical, like he’s comparing the difficulty of being a K-Pop idol to the fan’s university life. And a lot of comments regarding his response are criticizing him in turn.

However, it sounds like there might be additional context that fans are aware of that make Zhang Hao’s response more understandable. According to them, the idol is known to be a bit snarky in a light-hearted, teasing way with fans, and so a comment like this might not have been meant to come across as rude. Considering that Zhang Hao has gone through the university life himself and knows just how difficult it can be, fans have a hard time believing he’d be intentionally hurtful to someone going through the same thing.

What do you think of this situation?