The Idol Star Athletics Championships (ISAC) has once again captured public attention. This annual sporting event, which brings together K-Pop idols from across generations, always attracts attention, not only for the competition on the field, but also for the unique interactions between idols rarely seen off the concert stage. The 2025 Chuseok edition, which began filming on August 25th, has already generated several viral moments and controversies, even before its official broadcast.
Filming Begins for the 2025 Chuseok Edition
ISAC is known as one of the flagship events during the Chuseok holiday in South Korea. This year, filming took place in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, with hundreds of idols from various popular K-Pop groups participating. Although the broadcast will only air during the upcoming Chuseok holiday, leaks from audience members have already circulated widely on social media. The short clips show the festive atmosphere, the boisterous fan chants, and the interactions between idols, making fans even more enthusiastic about waiting for the full episode.
Hearts2Hearts! Wins, But Controversy Abounds
One of the most talked-about moments was Hearts2Hearts!'s victory in a sporting event. They took home the gold medal, a major achievement for the rookie group. However, public attention focused on the absence of member Ye-on from the celebration podium.It turned out that Ye-on was not allowed to participate in the celebration because he was under the age limit for young idols participating in public broadcasts. While the regulation was intended to protect young idols, many fans were disappointed that the victory felt incomplete without all the members present for such a crucial moment. Debates erupted online, between those who supported the strict regulations and those who felt the rules were detrimental to the idols in question.
“Hanbin vs Hanbin”: Funny Moments That Went Viral
Besides the controversy, the Idol Star Athletics Championships (ISAC) also featured lighthearted moments that entertained fans. One such incident came from the interaction between two popular idols with the same name: Park Hanbin from EVNNE and Sung Hanbin from ZEROBASEONE (ZB1).When a fan called out "Hanbin!" from the stands, the two instinctively turned their heads together, creating a hilarious moment of confusion. The short video of the incident immediately went viral on social media, even trending on Twitter. Many fans called the moment one of the most memorable highlights of this year's ISAC, emphasizing how the event isn't just about sports, but also about spontaneous, fun interactions.
ISAC: A Unique Event for K-Pop Idols
ISAC has always been a phenomenon among K-Pop fans. Besides being a chance to see idols compete outside the music scene, the event also opens up a space for rarely seen cross-group interactions. This year, with many rookie groups performing, ISAC is also considered an important stage for introducing the next generation of K-Pop to a wider audience.Despite debates over regulations and unexpected viral moments, ISAC 2025 once again proved itself to be one of the most anticipated events of the year. For fans, ISAC is more than just a sporting competition, but also a celebration of community, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments with their idols.With Chuseok fast approaching, public enthusiasm will only increase. Everyone is now eagerly awaiting the excitement of the official broadcast version—whether it will be as exciting, controversial, and entertaining as the leaks that have already surfaced.
