Girl group IVE is at the center of a new controversy. An outfit worn by member Jang Wonyoung has led to online backlash and a formal statement from her fans in China.
In a statement released Thursday, the fan club directly criticized the group’s agency, Starship Entertainment.
“The outfit Starship chose for Wonyoung at yesterday’s event has caused deep frustration and anger among fans,” the statement read. It described her clothes as “excessively tight-fitting and revealing,” claiming they “greatly restricted Wonyoung’s ability to move naturally.” The fans also noted that only she wore such a revealing outfit, which they felt ignored both her comfort and the athletic nature of the event.
The fan club argued that an outfit should help an idol perform, not be a “restrictive marketing tool.” “Her ability to move freely should not be sacrificed just to generate buzz,” the statement continued. “She is already one of South Korea’s top female idols and doesn’t need a ‘sexy’ label to get attention.”
>> Jang Wonyoung and Woo Do Hwan Dazzle Together in Diamonds at Chopard’s Grand Reopening
The issue began after IVE’s performance at the 2025 Coupang Play Series match at Suwon World Cup Stadium on Wednesday night. For the ceremonial first pitch and halftime show, Jang Wonyoung wore a mini-dress-style top with shorts underneath. Criticism quickly spread online, with many pointing out that the outfit seemed impractical for the event. The backlash grew so intense that some users posted harsh, malicious comments targeting IVE’s stylist.
However, the story took a turn when it was revealed that the outfits were chosen based on the members’ own preferences. Her bandmate Rei wrote to fans after the performance to clarify. “Our IVE uniforms are super cute, right?” she posted. “We each asked for them to be customized the way we wanted.”
Rei’s explanation shifted the public criticism, with many fans now expressing disappointment in Jang Wonyoung’s choice.
This controversy comes as IVE is in the final stages of preparing for a confirmed comeback at the end of August.
Source (1)
