Kian84's Hilarious G-Dragon 'Friendship' Blunder: Why He Had to Apologize After Claiming They're Best Friends

The Cringe-Worthy Moment That Had Everyone Talking
Picture this: you're traveling abroad, trying to impress some local girls by name-dropping your celebrity 'friend,' only to realize you've massively overestimated your relationship status. That's exactly what happened to beloved Korean variety star Kian84 during his latest adventure on MBC's 'Adventure by Accident 4,' and the internet can't stop laughing about it.
During a casual conversation with foreign girls while trekking through the Himalayas, Kian84 proudly boasted about being friends with none other than G-Dragon, the legendary K-pop icon. When asked to prove their friendship with a photo, viewers expected to see a cozy selfie between the two stars. Instead, what Kian84 pulled out was a screenshot from their TV appearance together on 'Good Day' – and that's when the secondhand embarrassment reached peak levels.
The incident perfectly encapsulates what Korean netizens have dubbed 'Kian84's unique logic': if he considers someone a friend, then they're automatically friends, regardless of whether that feeling is mutual. This one-sided friendship declaration has become a running joke among fans, especially considering that Kian84 doesn't even have G-Dragon's phone number.
From Fan to 'Friend': The G-Dragon Connection Explained

To understand why this moment was so hilariously awkward, we need to dive into the actual relationship between Kian84 and G-Dragon. Their first meeting occurred on MBC's variety show 'Good Day' in early 2025, where G-Dragon was the main host meeting various celebrity guests and fans.
Kian84, a well-known webtoon artist turned variety show star, had always been vocal about being a massive G-Dragon fan. In fact, he even drew inspiration from the BIGBANG leader to create characters in his popular webtoon 'Fashion King.' When Code Kunst, a mutual friend and music producer, arranged their meeting, Kian84's fanboy behavior was so intense it became legendary television.
During their first encounter, Kian84 was visibly starstruck, struggling to make eye contact and admitting shyly, 'I was just curious... I'm a fan.' G-Dragon, charmed by Kian84's genuine nervousness, even compared him to comedian Jung Hyung Don, saying he had a 'familiar scent.' The chemistry between the awkward fan and the gracious superstar made for compelling television, but it was clearly a fan-celebrity interaction rather than a genuine friendship.
The Screenshot That Broke the Internet
The moment that has Korean netizens rolling on the floor laughing came during Kian84's appearance on 'Adventure by Accident 4,' which aired in late May 2025. While bonding with local youth in a remote Himalayan village, the conversation naturally turned to Korean culture and celebrities. Eager to impress and establish his credibility, Kian84 casually mentioned that G-Dragon was his 'little brother' and close friend.
When the curious foreign girls asked for proof of this friendship, Kian84 confidently reached for his phone, promising to show them a photo together. The anticipation was palpable – viewers expected to see a candid selfie, maybe a backstage photo, or at least some evidence of their personal relationship. Instead, what appeared on screen was a screenshot from their 'Good Day' episode, complete with the TV show's graphics and watermarks.
The collective cringe from viewers was immediate and intense. Korean netizens flooded online communities with comments like 'I felt so embarrassed for him' and 'This is peak Kian84 energy.' The screenshot incident perfectly highlighted the gap between Kian84's perception of their relationship and reality, creating one of the most memorable variety show moments of 2025.
Korean Netizen Reactions: From Cringe to Comedy Gold
Korean online communities exploded with reactions to Kian84's friendship claims, and the responses ranged from secondhand embarrassment to pure entertainment. On popular forums like DC Inside and Nate Pann, users couldn't stop discussing the incident.
One highly-upvoted comment on Nate read: 'Kian84's logic is honestly amazing. He meets someone once on TV and suddenly they're best friends. I'm dying of embarrassment but also can't stop laughing.' Another user on DC Inside wrote: 'The fact that he showed a TV screenshot as proof of friendship is so Kian84. This man has no shame and that's why we love him.'
Many netizens pointed out that this incident perfectly encapsulates Kian84's unique personality – his ability to be simultaneously cringe-worthy and endearing. Comments like 'This is why Kian84 is variety gold' and 'He's so embarrassing but in the most lovable way' dominated the discussion threads. Some users even created memes comparing Kian84's 'friendship' claims to their own one-sided relationships with celebrities.
The incident also sparked discussions about parasocial relationships and how fans sometimes overestimate their connections with celebrities, though most comments remained lighthearted and focused on the comedic aspect of the situation.
The Apology That Never Came (But Should Have)
Despite the widespread discussion about Kian84's need to apologize to G-Dragon for the friendship claims, no official apology has been documented. However, Korean variety show culture suggests that such situations are often addressed behind the scenes or through subtle acknowledgments in future episodes.
Industry insiders familiar with both personalities suggest that G-Dragon, known for his laid-back attitude and sense of humor, likely found the incident more amusing than offensive. His previous interactions with Kian84 showed genuine fondness for the webtoon artist's quirky personality, and he seemed to enjoy their dynamic during their 'Good Day' appearances.
The 'apology' mentioned in online discussions appears to be more of a fan expectation than an actual event. Korean netizens have been calling for Kian84 to acknowledge the awkwardness of his claims, with many suggesting he should address it in his next variety show appearance. Some fans have even started a lighthearted petition for Kian84 to 'properly apologize' to G-Dragon, though it's clearly meant in jest.
This situation highlights the unique relationship between Korean celebrities and variety show culture, where embarrassing moments often become beloved content rather than serious controversies.
The Cultural Context: Why This Resonates with Korean Audiences
To international fans, Kian84's behavior might seem simply embarrassing, but for Korean audiences, it represents something deeper about celebrity culture and social relationships. In Korean society, the concept of 'some' (썸) – an ambiguous relationship status – extends beyond romance to friendships and professional relationships.
Kian84's assumption that meeting G-Dragon once made them friends reflects a common Korean cultural phenomenon where people sometimes overestimate the closeness of their relationships, especially with admired figures. This behavior, while cringe-worthy, is relatable to many Koreans who have experienced similar moments of social awkwardness.
The incident also highlights the unique position of variety show personalities in Korean entertainment. Unlike traditional celebrities who maintain careful public images, variety stars like Kian84 are beloved precisely because they're willing to be vulnerable and embarrassing on camera. His willingness to make these social blunders, combined with his genuine reactions, creates authentic entertainment that resonates with audiences.
Furthermore, the G-Dragon connection taps into the broader K-pop fan culture, where the lines between admiration and perceived personal connection often blur. Kian84's behavior, while extreme, reflects the intense parasocial relationships that many fans develop with their favorite celebrities.
What This Means for Kian84's Variety Show Legacy
Rather than damaging his reputation, this incident has only solidified Kian84's status as one of Korea's most entertaining variety show personalities. His ability to create genuinely awkward moments while remaining lovable is a rare talent in the entertainment industry.
The G-Dragon friendship claims have become part of Kian84's variety show mythology, joining other memorable moments like his travel mishaps and social blunders. Korean audiences have embraced these flaws as part of his charm, with many comments expressing affection for his 'honest' and 'relatable' personality.
Industry experts suggest that this type of authentic, unfiltered content is exactly what makes Korean variety shows globally popular. Unlike heavily scripted Western reality TV, Korean variety shows thrive on genuine reactions and real personality quirks, even when they're embarrassing.
Moving forward, fans are eagerly anticipating whether Kian84 will address the friendship claims in future appearances, and more importantly, whether G-Dragon will make any reference to their 'relationship status.' The ongoing speculation and discussion have only increased interest in both personalities, proving that sometimes the most cringe-worthy moments create the best entertainment value.
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