Eunseok Bubble Controversy: RIIZE Member Apologizes Over Racially Offensive Wording

RIIZE member Eunseok apologized on the fan communication platform Bubble on May 6, 2026, after a message he sent the previous day became the center of the Eunseok racism controversy. The issue began with a May 5 Bubble post in which he shared a childhood photo and used wording that several Korean entertainment outlets described as a racially derogatory expression toward Black people.¹

The message was deleted after criticism emerged, but screenshots and discussion had already spread online, with several reports noting criticism from international fans.² Eunseok later addressed the controversy on Bubble, acknowledging that the wording was inappropriate and apologizing for the impact of the message.³

Eunseok Bubble Controversy Began With May 5 Message

은석 버블 논란 Seoul K culture apology concept

The controversy centers on a Bubble message sent on May 5, 2026, Children’s Day in South Korea. Reports said Eunseok uploaded a childhood photo and added a phrase that was later criticized as racially insensitive or derogatory. Sports Kyunghyang reported that the expression was understood by some as a remark disparaging a specific race, which caused the criticism to expand after the post was shared beyond the private fan platform.⁴

Star News reported that Eunseok deleted the message after concerns were raised. The outlet also reported that he posted an apology through Bubble on May 6, one day after the original message.¹ Xports News similarly described the matter as a controversy over a phrase viewed by some international fans as racist after Eunseok shared the childhood image on May 5.⁵

Financial News, carrying a News1 report, said the post referred to a childhood photo in which Eunseok’s skin appeared tanned. The report added that the contents later circulated through online communities, contributing to the wider discussion around the wording.⁶

The available reports do not describe a separate agency statement in the source material. They focus on Eunseok’s own apology on Bubble, the deletion of the original message, and the online reaction that followed.

Apology Posted On Bubble

In his apology, Eunseok acknowledged that the wording he used was wrong. Star News quoted him as saying he had “used an incorrect expression” and that he “sincerely apologizes.”¹ Sports Kyunghyang also reported his pledge that he would “think and act more carefully” going forward.⁴

Maeil Business Newspaper reported that Eunseok posted an apology after controversy grew over the expression, which the outlet described as a derogatory term toward Black people. The report said the message had been deleted soon after being sent, but criticism continued among some international fans.³

E Today reported that Eunseok bowed his head over the Bubble remark and said he felt heavy-hearted about the matter. The outlet said the controversy spread after screenshots of the May 5 message circulated online, especially among overseas fans who criticized the expression.²

Across the available reports, the core sequence is consistent: a May 5 Bubble message with a childhood photo, criticism over the wording, deletion of the message, and a May 6 apology on Bubble. The reports also consistently identify the controversy as involving racially offensive language, though they do not provide additional official details beyond the apology described in the articles.

Current Status Of The RIIZE Member’s Controversy

As of May 6, 2026, the confirmed development in the source material is Eunseok’s apology on Bubble. The reports do not include further details about disciplinary action, schedule changes, or a separate public statement from RIIZE’s agency. For that reason, the present status is limited to the apology, the deletion of the original message, and continuing public discussion around the wording.

The case also reflects how comments made on paid or semi-private fan platforms can quickly move into broader public view once screenshots circulate. In this instance, multiple outlets reported that the message was deleted, but the controversy continued because the wording had already been captured and discussed online.²

Eunseok Bubble Controversy racial wording apology concept

Eunseok’s Bubble controversy remains centered on the May 5 wording and his May 6 apology. Based on the available reports, the most clearly established facts are that the RIIZE member used an inappropriate expression while sharing a childhood photo, removed the message after criticism, and apologized while saying he would be more careful in the future.