Jang Wonyoung’s Fans Furious Over Outfit Choice: “She Doesn’t Need to Be Sexy to Shine”

On July 31, Jang Wonyoung’s Chinese fandom expressed concern over the outfit she wore for the ceremonial first pitch at the 2025 Coupang Play Series event held on July 30 at Suwon World Cup Stadium. They described the outfit—consisting of a tight, revealing uniform-style ensemble as “excessively exposing” and “restrictive to her natural movement.”

In their statement, fans emphasized that Jang Wonyoung, not yet 21 years old, has consistently served as a role model for many young girls with her confidence, self-love, and healthy image. “What Starship made her wear has caused significant anger among fans. Idol stage outfits are meant to help performers feel comfortable and confident—not to prioritize publicity at the cost of comfort,” they wrote.

The fandom also stressed, “She is one of South Korea’s brightest female idols. She does not need a ‘sexy’ concept to shine.”

Criticism first arose after IVE’s appearance at the match, where members performed during halftime and participated in the first pitch. Their custom-tailored uniforms featured short hot pants and off-shoulder designs, which drew widespread debate online regarding appropriateness and overexposure.

In response to the mounting criticism, IVE member Rei addressed the situation via a fan communication platform. She wrote, “Aren’t our IVE uniforms super cute? We personally requested the customizations based on what we each wanted to wear.” Her message indicated that the outfits were not entirely imposed but reflected individual styling choices.

IVE is currently preparing for their comeback slated for late August, marking their first release in about seven months. As the group looks ahead to new promotions, the recent backlash has reignited broader discussions on agency responsibility, idol autonomy, and public scrutiny over female K-pop stars’ appearances.