Overview
- Jang Won-young described Hong Kong as one of her favorite countries in an IVE behind-the-scenes video tied to the MAMA 2025 trip.
- The video containing the remark was removed from IVE’s official YouTube channel after attention to the comment grew.
- Chinese outlets including Global Times and Sina Entertainment criticized the phrasing, citing China’s position that Hong Kong is a special administrative region.
- Reports cited Weibo hashtags and boycott calls targeting IVE, though forum posts questioned the scale of the reaction and alleged some tags were fabricated.
- The episode echoes a 2022 flare-up involving Jang, when Chinese netizens criticized her over a traditional Korean hair accessory worn in Paris.