IVE member Wonyoung is facing intense controversy from Chinese Internet users after a comment made in a behind-the-scenes clip. The issue started when IVE uploaded a video titled MAMA 2025 Behind the Scenes to their official YouTube channel, showing the group’s visit to Hong Kong for the awards ceremony. During a casual moment, Wonyoung said she enjoyed Hong Kong’s food and added that it was “one of my favorite countries,” a remark that immediately drew attention.
IVE singer Jang Won-young receives backlash from Chinese netizens after calling Hong Kong a country. pic.twitter.com/VYQEed5F8Y
— EMPIRE (@AniEMPIRE) January 2, 2026
Following the upload, criticism spread rapidly across Chinese social media, especially on Weibo. Many users took issue with the use of the word “country,” emphasizing that China defines Hong Kong as a Special Administrative Region under the One China principle. Comments flooded the platform, accusing the IVE member of political ignorance with hashtags like #JangWonyoungHongKongCountry and #IVEGetOutofChina. In addition, some users called for an IVE boycott in the country.
Chinese media outlets also joined the discussion. Sina Weibo described the remark as a challenge to China’s sovereignty, while Global Times criticized Korean idols for benefiting from the Chinese market without understanding its political context. As the controversy continues to unfold online, public attention remains focused on whether Wonyoung or her agency will issue a response and how this situation may affect IVE’s future in China.
