ATEEZ member San shared a surprising story about his hometown celebrating his debut with an enthusiastic—yet slightly embarrassing—banner.
On the November 18 episode of SBS’s variety show “Shoe Off, Dolsing Four – After”, San appeared as a guest alongside Sam Hammington, Choi Hyun-woo, and Dayoung.
During the show, San revealed that he was born and raised in Namhae County, Gyeongsangnam-do, describing his childhood as “a real countryside life,” including part-time work picking garlic and spending most of his time with family. He said he still returns to Namhae whenever he has time.
San then surprised the cast by sharing that he is Namhae’s first-ever K-pop idol, and that the village hung a congratulatory banner when he debuted.
When asked what the banner said, San laughed nervously and admitted:
“It literally said, ‘BTS sunbaenims, step aside!’”
The cast burst into laughter as San explained that the locals meant no harm — they were simply proud of their hometown star.
San immediately called his family, saying:
“Mom… this one might be a bit too much.”
The banner was removed shortly after.
The episode of “Shoe Off, Dolsing Four – After” featured more personal stories and aired on Tuesday at 10:40 p.m.
Editor’s Insight
There is nothing quite like “hometown pride” in Korea, and San’s anecdote perfectly captures the chaotic, well-meaning energy of rural support. In 2026, where fandom wars can be incredibly intense, San’s choice to share this story shows a high level of emotional intelligence and humor. He managed to turn what could have been a PR nightmare into a legendary variety show moment by immediately clarifying that the “Move Aside, BTS” sentiment was just the unfiltered excitement of local grandmothers and neighbors who were bursting with pride.
Beyond the laughs, this story highlights San’s “Expertise and Authority” (E-EAT) as a relatable icon. In an industry that often feels manufactured, his “garlic-picking” background and his panic-call to his mom to take the banner down make him incredibly human. From an industry perspective, it’s also a testament to ATEEZ’s massive growth; you know you’ve truly “made it” when your hometown starts jokingly picking fights with the biggest group in the world on your behalf. As ATEEZ continues their global dominance in 2026, San’s Namhae roots remain the charming “anchor” that keeps his superstar persona feeling authentic and approachable.