IVE member Jang Wonyoung has once again found herself at the center of online controversy in China. What began as a casual remark expressing anticipation for an event in Hong Kong has been amplified into a political debate by some netizens.

In a recently released “2025 MAMA Behind-the-Scenes” video on IVE’s official YouTube channel, Jang shared moments from backstage. She spoke about the upcoming ceremony in Hong Kong, mentioned food she was looking forward to, and expressed personal fondness for the city, while wishing fans an enjoyable evening watching the show.

The controversy arose from her description of Hong Kong as “one of the countries she likes.” Although the Chinese subtitles translated the phrase as “region,” some viewers focused on the original Korean audio and interpreted it as a violation of the “One China” principle.

The issue quickly spread on Chinese social media platform Weibo, with multiple hashtags trending and calls for boycotts emerging. Several Chinese media outlets also framed the remark as a challenge to China’s sovereignty.

However, many observers point out that, within the full context of the video, Jang’s comment was simply a personal expression related to food and location, without any political intent. Critics argue that a casual cultural remark was overly politicized.

The incident highlights the delicate position global K-pop artists face when everyday expressions intersect with geopolitical sensitivities, raising calls for more balanced interpretation of context.