IVE member Wonyoung Jang is under fire after her behavior during an airport passport check sparked a heated debate online.
On May 30, Wonyoung departed via Gimpo International Airport with fellow IVE members for a schedule in Shanghai, China. The members arrived wearing hats and masks, and proceeded to the departure area where they underwent ID verification.
The controversy erupted after a video of the moment spread across social media and online communities. In the clip, Wonyoung briefly lifted her mask and hat when an airport staffer asked her to remove them for identification, then put them back on almost immediately. She then took her passport with one hand and moved on quickly.
Some netizens were disappointed. Comments included, “She could have been a bit more polite to the staff,” and “It looked like she showed her face too briefly for an ID check.”
Comparisons to member Gaeul, who was checked right after, further fueled the debate. Gaeul reportedly showed her face, received her passport with both hands, and gave a slight bow. As this comparison circulated, reactions to Wonyoung’s demeanor grew even more divided.
Others argued the criticism was an overreach. Fans and netizens countered, “You can’t judge someone’s personality from a split-second clip,” “Airports are crowded and heavily filmed, so anyone can be on edge,” and “It’s wrong to assess character based on a single expression or gesture.”
There was even disagreement over the ID check protocol itself. Many noted that regular passengers are often told to fully remove hats and masks, questioning whether celebrities are held to different standards.
Amid the ongoing debate, Wonyoung later shared updates from Shanghai on her social media, posting photos of herself enjoying a meal at a local restaurant with the caption, “Excited, happy, eating, choosing more, and crying,” signaling a bright update on her trip.