JANG WONYOUNG, Arms Crossed and With One Hand…The Weight of a Crown That Is Too Heavy [HT Focus]

IVE member JANG WONYOUNG has come under scrutiny.

On the 4th, a controversy broke out after a video of JANG WONYOUNG going through departure screening was posted on X (formerly Twitter) along with a post containing the word “rude.”

IVE departed from Gimpo International Airport on the 30th for a promotional schedule in China. JANG WONYOUNG appeared wearing a black mask and hat, and was the first among the IVE members to go through departure screening. During the screening process, when an airport staff member asked her to show her face for passport verification, she slightly lowered her hat and mask. When the staff member asked her again to lower her mask a little more for facial comparison, she lowered her mask once more and completed the identity check. Afterward, she waited with her arms crossed and received the passport handed to her by the staff member with one hand.

In contrast, member GAEUL, who was behind her, completely took off her mask to show her full face, received her passport with both hands, and bowed her head. The attitudes of the two members were contrasted, and netizens showed critical reactions to JANG WONYOUNG’s video, saying, “Even if she were someone around me, it would not look good to treat a staff member like that. That is basic manners,” and “Celebrities are the same as ordinary people, so I hope she properly takes off her hat and mask. Is she doing it half-heartedly just because she is famous?” On the other hand, supportive opinions also followed, such as, “Crossing one’s arms is a personal habit. The staff member also handed it to her with one hand.”

As the controversy grew, fans additionally released an earlier scene that was not included in the video. The video showed JANG WONYOUNG greeting fans, then politely handing over her passport with both hands as her turn for departure screening approached.

Meanwhile, after arriving in Shanghai, JANG WONYOUNG posted several photos on her SNS on the 3rd with the caption, “Excited, happy, eating, choosing again, and crying.” However, the post was flooded with malicious comments from netizens who came after hearing about the controversy, leading to further harm.

As an influential public figure, there is enough possibility that even one ordinary action could develop into a social controversy. In particular, some say that an even more careful attitude is required because IVE has a large young fan base. However, there are also many opinions that the interpretation is excessive or that the level of criticism has gone too far.

As the saying goes, “If you ascend the throne, bear the weight of the crown,” a position representing 4th-generation girl groups comes with that much weight. JANG WONYOUNG previously appeared on You Quiz on the Block last year and opened up about her concerns regarding malicious comments. Just as she said, “I will fix the parts where I did wrong,” perhaps it is worth watching over JANG WONYOUNG as she turns this moment of controversy into an opportunity for growth.

IVE’s agency STARSHIP ENTERTAINMENT has once again emphasized its firm stance on protecting its artists and is continuing its zero-tolerance principle of taking legal action without exception against malicious posts and malicious commenters.