IVE member Jang Wonyoung found himself at the center of controversy after a single remark in a behind-the-scenes video of MAMA Awards 2025 it resurfaced weeks after the event, sparking an intense reaction from Chinese netizens.
The K-pop year-end ceremony was held last month at Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong. Although the event concluded without incident, controversy erupted after IVE uploaded a backstage video to their official YouTube channel. In the footage, Jang Wonyoung can be heard saying in Korean: “Hong Kong is one of the countries I like,” using the word “nara”which directly translates to “Village.”
The phrase quickly sparked outrage among Chinese netizens, who accused the idol of making a politically sensitive statement. Screenshots of the clip quickly circulated in online forums, with subtitles in multiple languages, including Japanese “Kuni” and English translates the line as “Village”– further amplifying the backlash.
While some fans rushed to defend Jang Wonyoung, claiming that the English word “Village” It can also refer broadly to a region or place, the explanation has failed to convince many critics. Opponents have pointed out that the Chinese subtitles instead translate the remark as “Hong Kong is one of the places I like,” leading to accusations that the agency was already aware of the sensitivity of the term but chose to release the footage anyway.
Critics argued that this discrepancy suggested intentional ambiguity, with some arguing that the wording carried political implications related to territorial issues. As a result, Jang Wonyoung became the target of harsh criticism online, with calls for clarification and accountability spreading across China’s social media platforms.
Neither Starship Entertainment nor Jang Wonyoung have released an official response regarding the controversy at this time. The incident once again highlights the growing scrutiny K-pop idols face when performing or speaking in regions where political and cultural sensitivities are deeply intertwined.
As IVE continues its global activities, the situation serves as a reminder once again how a single sentence, especially in behind-the-scenes content, can degenerate into a full-scale international debate, reflecting the complex intersection of entertainment, language and geopolitics in today’s K-pop industry.
Sources: Yahoo News
