IVE’s Wonyoung Accused of Making Politically Inappropriate Comments
IVE member Wonyoung is facing backlash in China after she was caught calling Hong Kong a “country” in a backstage clip.
The controversy began with behind-the-scenes footage from the 2025 MAMAs in Hong Kong. Wonyoung said Hong Kong was one of her favorite countries. Chinese netizens quickly took offense because China considers Hong Kong part of its territory, not a separate country.
Chinese media picked up the story, and the clip went viral online. Many users called her comment “provocative” and accused Wonyoung of disrespecting China’s sovereignty. Some fans defended her, saying the word could mean “place” or “region,” but others pointed out that the Korean word she used, “nara”, strictly means “country.”
The video had Chinese subtitles translating it as “Hong Kong is one of the places I like,” which made some believe Wonyoung’s agency knew the potential issue but still released the footage.
Soon after, posts criticizing Wonyoung or calling for a boycott started disappearing online. Accusations flew at IVE’s agency for censoring posts and silencing critics.
Wonyoung had been praised earlier by Chinese fans during MAMAs, especially after showing support following a fire incident in Hong Kong. The shift to backlash is sharp and ongoing.
As the situation develops, neither Wonyoung nor her agency has released any official statement. The online debate remains heated with fans and critics divided.
