In mid-February, IVE returned to the K-pop scene with their pre-release “Bang Bang.” The song quickly caused a big impact on the Korean digital music charts. Within days of release, “Bang Bang” ranked #1 across major platforms including Melon, Genie, Flo, Vibe, and Bugs, officially earning a Perfect All-Kill (PAK).
Notably, “Bang Bang” became the first song released in 2026 to get a PAK. For IVE, this marks their sixth PAK certified success, further cementing their reputation as digital powerhouses with consistent return success. As a result, the Starship Entertainment girl group has received increased attention from the public.
However, IVE has recently been embroiled in rumors of internal tension due to a 20-second clip circulating online, once again placing Jang Wonyoung at the center of the discussion.
The clip captures the members chatting on stage as they prepare for their performance on Inkigayo. Jang Wonyoung is seen looking straight ahead with a neutral expression as he casually moves his arms following the choreography. The moment that sparked the controversy came when she moved towards the center of the formation and lightly touched Gaeul, who was in a central position. Wonyoung then seamlessly took the middle seat, while Gaeul returned to Wonyoung’s original position.
Some netizens interpreted the moment as proof that Jang Wonyoung is “used to being in the spotlight,” while some even labeled her as a “calculating princess” who always wants to be in the center. Meanwhile, Gaeul received sympathy from some viewers, who described her as kind and reserved, suggesting she may be more likely to give in.
The debate intensified when online users resurfaced older clips that purportedly showed Wonyoung moving toward the center during group photos or encore stages. In one instance, during an encore performance of a weekly music show after IVE won a trophy, she was seen stepping forward into the center position and later appearing surprised when she ended up standing in the center.
From there, the conversation expanded beyond positioning to speculation about IVE’s internal dynamics. Some comments stated that the group’s interactions on stage sometimes lack the natural closeness seen in other girl groups, suggesting that they seem more like colleagues than close friends.
However, other netizens argue that drawing conclusions from a few seconds of video is premature. In the idol industry, stage formations are often pre-established and position adjustments may simply be dictated by professional instinct. Maintaining a composed and professional image on stage does not necessarily reflect the members’ real-life relationship.
The question of central positioning around Jang Wonyoung is not new in K-pop discussions, but once again, a short clip has reignited the debate among online communities.
Sources: k14, breakdown
