Japanese Fans Spread Conspiracy Theories Over Lee Kang-in Transfer
chosun.com
Lee Kang-in lands the No. 7 shirt at Atlético Madrid — and Japanese fans see a sinister plot behind a jersey number.
Conspiracy TheoryIn-Group/Out-Group BiasSymbolic ThinkingSocial Contagion
Theory Briefing
- Lee Kang-in, 25, was assigned the No. 7 jersey at Atlético Madrid, the detail that ignited the conspiracy claims.
- Japanese fans framed the number assignment as evidence of a deliberate scheme rather than routine club administration.
- The episode shows how a single symbolic detail — a shirt number — can anchor an elaborate, unfounded narrative.
- The reaction spread online, turning a transfer formality into an international fan controversy.