It has now been two years since ZEROBASEONE first debuted and kicked off the fifth generation of K-Pop. The popular boy group has achieved much during this time but also sparked a lot of controversy. Most recently, the members were embroiled in “fat-shaming” accusations.
It was during none other than their anniversary live broadcast that certain comments made towards Zhang Hao gained attention online and angered fans.
During one section of the broadcast, the members all said flirty pick-up lines to all fans watching. When it came to Zhang Hao’s turn, he started with a line about how fans flipped over his world. However, one of the members interrupted the line asking if the ground “flipped over” because he’s heavy.
Zhang Hao: “Even if the ground flips over, I won’t be surprised…”
Ricky: “Because you’re heavy?”
Zhang Hao: “Because my world was flipped over by you from the beginning.”
rk asking hao “because you are heavy?” WTF not again 😀 pic.twitter.com/QpzAU7GQIB
— faa ִ ࣪𖤐 (@zhaoeveryday) July 10, 2025
The unexpected comment has sparked heated debate online. Many fans of Zhang Hao accuse the other members — Ricky and those laughing — of fatphobia and making fatshaming comments towards the ZEROBASEONE star. Some even said that this wasn’t a one-off and that Zhang Hao is often subjected to similar remarks about his weight.
thats just not it :/ pic.twitter.com/qlw2Rw1wJ8
— neo (@cutieeneul) July 10, 2025
they way they consistently fat shame hao is actually so upsetting https://t.co/BA2zid2FP6 pic.twitter.com/BlGBb4WSBj
— noonoo (@hoonsundae) July 12, 2025
do they not like him? like deadass https://t.co/RnRlwjjLLQ
— ً (@WONFAlRY) July 11, 2025
”‘hao is too heavy’ oh baby maybe you should lift some respect before talking about him like that. your arms shaking but your audacity isn’t pic.twitter.com/m3Ni3VKr28
— so? (@gurenveil) July 2, 2025
On the other hand, some fans have claimed that Zhang Hao himself has made similar comments towards other members about their weight, and that it seems to be a running joke between the members.
for those of you curious as to why he is not “protected” enough as a victim it is because he is a fatshamer himself and most of the group’s members doe this to each other https://t.co/CDLC4ufApX pic.twitter.com/JZqlbhg96K
— riri (@theloxaos) July 12, 2025
ehh I think we overthink things https://t.co/6qQMdHU76F pic.twitter.com/DPFa1GbQkQ
— Lufie / 🦄 ZE_ROcaratZen (@lucifiedoll) July 11, 2025
Such incidents are not new to K-Pop, as members often are caught making weight comments about each other’s weight when interacting. However, whenever the remarks are similarly negative, they often trigger heated reactions and arguments between fans.
The heated debate continues online as fans take sides in the argument. Meanwhile, neither Zhang Hao nor the other ZEROBASEONE members have addressed their comments and the controversy.
