The contentious phrase was aimed at Starship Entertainment.
An uproar amongst netizens occurred on May 14 following the viral spread of a video call clip featuring IVE‘s Jang Wonyoung conversing with a fan.
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In the clip, Wonyoung was prompted by the fan to repeat a Chinese phrase without awareness of its negative implications.
“Starship Entertainment, if you want to work, then work. If not, then get out.”
– Fan
This expression commonly bears a dissatisfactory tone when used in employment contexts. Despite Wonyoung’s inquiry about its meaning, the fan deceived her with false information.
“It means Wonyoung is the prettiest in the world. The most beautiful girl in the world.”
– Fan
The video concluded with the fan admitting to their nervousness and worry that Wonyoung might have recognized the deceit, yet the idol responded with gratitude.
Internet users quickly condemned the interaction upon viewing the footage.
- “Don’t do this!!! So low. Are there no interpreters present?”
- “This is just wrong. Couldn’t you have chosen something more appropriate for Wonyoung to say?”
- “It breaks my heart to see this. Wonyoung appears quite distressed.”
- “I suspect she understood the actual meaning.”
- “Her smile seemed forced; she probably knew what it meant.”
What are your thoughts on this fan’s behavior? Leave us a comment on our social channels below.
Online Backlash Ensues as IVE’s Jang Wonyoung Utters Controversial Statement in Chinese on Fan’s Prompthttps://t.co/Zh3yZePqzP
— The UBJ (@The UBJ) May 15, 2024
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FAQs About The Incident With IVE’s Jang Wonyoung
Q: What did the fan ask Jang Wonyoung to say?
A: The fan had Jang Wonyoung repeat a Chinese phrase that means, “Starship Entertainment, if you want to work, then work. If not, then get out.”
Q: Did Jang Wonyoung know the meaning of the phrase?
A: No, Jang Wonyoung did not know the meaning and was misled by the fan to believe it meant she was “the prettiest in the world.”
Q: How have netizens reacted?
A: Netizens have expressed their anger and disappointment, criticizing the fan’s disrespectful behavior towards the idol and Starship Entertainment.
Conclusion
The event involving IVE’s Jang Wonyoung and a fan’s inappropriate request has sparked significant online backlash. It raises concerns about the treatment of idols by fans and the boundaries that should be maintained during fan interactions. Netizens’ outrage is a clear indication of the protective sentiments fans have towards their beloved idols and the sensitivity of appropriateness in these engagements. Such incidents remind us of the moral responsibilities fans have in ensuring respectful communication with idols, who are often put in vulnerable situations due to their public personas.