Jang Won Young

Biography

Jang Won-young is a South Korean singer, songwriter, model, and television host. She first gained fame as a member and center of the project girl group IZ*ONE, formed through the reality competition Produce 48. After the group’s disbandment, she re-debuted as a member of the girl group IVE under Starship Entertainment and has since become one of the most visible faces of contemporary K-pop.

Early Life and Education

Jang Won-young was born on August 31, 2004, in Ichon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea. She has one older sister, Jang Jin-young, who is an actress. Her father worked as a music teacher, which helped nurture her early interest in performance. While attending elementary and middle school, she was discovered and later recruited as an idol trainee by Starship Entertainment. After entering trainee life, she briefly homeschooled and eventually graduated from School of Performing Arts Seoul (SOPA) in February 2023.

Career

Produce 48 and IZ*ONE (2018–2021)

In 2018, Jang participated in the reality survival show Produce 48, representing Starship Entertainment. She finished in first place, earning her a spot as a member and the center of the multinational girl group IZ*ONE. The group debuted on October 29, 2018 with the mini-album COLORIZ*, establishing rapid popularity in Korea and Japan. IZ*ONE officially disbanded on April 29, 2021 at the end of their contract.

Debut with IVE and Solo Activities (2021–present)

Following IZ*ONE’s disbandment, Jang returned to Starship Entertainment and was announced as a member of a new girl group, IVE, which debuted on December 1, 2021, with the single album Eleven. Since debut, IVE has achieved significant chart success with hits such as Love Dive, Baddie, Off the Record, and I Am, earning multiple music show wins and year-end awards.

In addition to her group activities, Jang has served as a host on KBS music program Music Bank and co-hosted multiple award shows including the Asia Artist Awards and KBS Song Festival across consecutive years.

She has also contributed creatively to IVE’s music, writing lyrics for several tracks including “Mine,” “Shine With Me,” “OTT,” and “Blue Heart.”

Lucky Vicky Syndrome

Years after her debut, Jang Wonyoung has maintained a strong standing in the entertainment industry, not only for her popularity, but also for her professional and positive mindset, known as “Lucky Vicky”. Coined from “Lucky” and “Vicky” (Jang Won-young’s English name), this mindset represents the attitude of seeing disappointing events as a stroke of luck instead – believing that fortune comes from a positive attitude.

“Lucky Vicky” has since became a popular term not only in Korea but also among other countries and K-pop fan communities, with many admiring Jang Wonyoung for a mature perspective despite her young age.

Controversies

IZ*ONE era:

Pushing Sakura’s shoulder

Wonyoung sparked a controversy when she pushed Sakura’s shoulder. While the group was lining up for Korean media to take photos, Wonyoung reached her left hand backward and touched Sakura’s shoulder, causing the Japanese idol to become unbalanced and slightly stagger. Many opinions were raised, suggesting that Wonyoung had a bad attitude towards Sakura because even though both of them were equally popular, Sakura always received more attention and sometimes even invited to film her own shows.

Showing displeasure towards Yujin

In one episode of the reality show dedicated to IZ*ONE called IZ*ONE Chu, Wonyoung made many people uncomfortable when she frowned and showed signs of annoyance while Yu Jin, was sharing her story.

IVE era:

Lack of respect for IU, not interested in BTS’s video at MMA 2022

In November 2022, IVE attended the MMA awards and won the Daesang with “Love Dive”. On the sidelines of the victory, netizens spread a video clip capturing the moment when Jang Wonyoung sat under the stands, showing indifference and not applauding when IU’s video was played on the big screen. Many criticized Wonyoung for lacking respect for IU, and Rei and Liz were also scrutinized for their behavior towards their senior. Subsequently, IU fans spoke up to defend Jang Wonyoung. According to them, the circulated moment was edited and not reflective of the truth. In the full clip showing IU’s VCR being played, Jang Wonyoung indeed clapped to cheer for her senior.

However, the controversy escalated when in other moments, people noticed that Jang Wonyoung also showed disinterest in BTS’s video. While all the idols were attentively watching and applauding BTS, Jang Wonyoung was seen joking and chatting with fans. Despite fans’ efforts to clarify and defend their idol, Jang Wonyoung still garnered anti-fans.

Did not greet seniors, “sneaks glances” at TWICE members

In the early stages of her debut with IVE, Jang Wonyoung has been criticized several times for not greeting her seniors. A prominent example is during the encore stage for “ELEVEN”, where Jang Wonyoung and IVE members got criticized for not bowing to Jaemin (NCT), Lee Know (Stray Kids), and Kim Minju.

Similarly, while hosting Music Bank, Jang Wonyoung was accused of ignoring NCT 127 despite her seniors bowing. It was also during this time that the female idol sparked controversy by giving a sideways glance to TWICE senior member Jeongyeon. At that time, due to health reasons, Jeongyeon had to sit for an interview, and Jang Wonyoung’s indifferent gaze prompted TWICE fans to object.

Bad attitude towards a young fan

In 2023, Wonyoung faced criticism on a forum called “Mom Cafe.” The incident involved a boy around 10 years old who approached Wonyoung, reaching out to touch her as she was entering a coffee shop. Wonyoung seemed surprised and stepped back before a staff member in her entourage intervened to stop the boy. This fleeting moment unexpectedly sparked a debate on the forum. Many criticized Wonyoung for behaving coldly toward a child, suggesting that the boy simply wanted to greet her because she looked beautiful. Others opined that while Wonyoung might have been surprised, the boy was just a harmless fan, and Wonyoung should not have reacted unfavorably like that

Singing Skills

Audiences commented that Jang Wonyoung only focuses on her appearance, always striving to look the most glamorous when appearing, but refuses to practice and improve her singing.
Notably, IVE’s lip-syncing performances, where they seem to mumble and whisper, have been criticized several times. However, Jang Wonyoung and Leeseo’s performance sparked intense controversy. The two idols performed IU’s song “Strawberry Moon” at the MBC Gayo Daejeon 2022 stage. But even though they were only sitting and singing without having to perform choreography, Wonyoung and Leeseo still lip-synced. Moreover, audiences noticed that the two idols used the old recording from a previously posted cover video, instead of a new recording for the program.

Strawberry eating:

Back in 2022, Jang Wonyoung became a topic of controversy for a ridiculous reason – eating a strawberry with 2 hands. At the time, many people criticized the females idol for acting overly cute on camera, to the point the her strawberry-eating scene became an Internet meme. In 2025, a member of Starship’s new girl group, KiiiKiii, even came under fire after she was accused of mocking this controversy of Jang Wonyoung.

Poor EQ Allegation

A scene during a live broadcast of IVE sparked controversy. Accordingly, Jang Wonyoung questioned whether her groupmate, Leeseo, was wearing the same shirt she had worn before.
Upon seeing the shirt Leeseo was wearing, Wonyoung suddenly emphasized that it resembled the one she had worn during a previous filming. The idol continued to inquire whether the group member had bought it herself and unexpectedly reached out to check the shirt’s label. The incident only concluded after Wonyoung and Yujin confirmed that the two shirts were different. Upon witnessing this series of actions, many netizens expressed discomfort with Wonyoung’s behavior.

Hiding Chinese/ Taiwanese heritage allegation

Specifically, Jang Wonyoung has been exposed by many for being of mixed Chinese-Korean heritage. The family of the IVE member’s father is originally from China and migrated to Korea, holding various important positions in the overseas Chinese community. Many comments also assert that Jang Wonyoung attended a school for overseas Chinese and appeared in the active Chinese Artists Museum in Korea.

Phoenix hairpin

Wonyoung stirred another controversy by sharing that she had personally chosen a hairpin with a phoenix design to promote Korean culture at a fashion event. This angered Chinese netizens, who heavily criticized the female idol, accusing her of appropriating culture. A series of angry comments from Chinese fans flooded the posts under her Instagram account.