IVE’s Wonyoung faces criticism for Airport interaction, netizens draw comparisons to Gaeul

04 Jun 2026, 07:26 by Demian09 · allkpop

IVE member Wonyoung has become the center of online discussion following her appearance at the airport ahead of the group's overseas schedule.

On May 30, Wonyoung departed for Shanghai, China, alongside her fellow IVE members via Gimpo International Airport to attend an official overseas engagement.

That day, the members opted for heavily concealed airport fashion, wearing caps pulled low and face masks that covered most of their faces. However, a video of Wonyoung circulating on social media and online communities quickly drew attention.

During the departure process, airport staff reportedly requested that Wonyoung briefly remove her mask and cap to verify her identity against her passport photo. In the footage, Wonyoung slightly lifted her mask and cap before lowering them again, leading some viewers to question whether the gesture was sufficient for proper identification.

The controversy intensified as some netizens pointed to her body language during the interaction. While the airport employee checked her documents, Wonyoung appeared to stand with her arms crossed. When her passport was returned, she accepted it with one hand before proceeding through the checkpoint.

The scene was captured on video and quickly spread online, generating divided reactions. Critics argued that her demeanor appeared cold and dismissive, with some claiming that the behavior reflected an overly celebrity-conscious attitude. Others, however, defended the singer, arguing that the footage was being overanalyzed and that a brief moment captured on camera should not be used to judge her character.

The discussion also extended beyond Wonyoung herself. Some internet users questioned airport security procedures, noting that ordinary travelers are often required to remove their masks and hats for identity verification. At the same time, celebrities may appear to receive more lenient treatment.

Adding fuel to the debate was a comparison with fellow IVE member Gaeul, who went through a similar verification process around the same time. Although Gaeul also did not completely remove her cap and mask, she was seen accepting her passport with both hands and giving a slight bow to the airport staff before leaving the checkpoint.

The contrasting interactions between the two members quickly became a topic of discussion online, with some netizens drawing comparisons between their attitudes and manners. Others cautioned against making assumptions based on a few seconds of footage, emphasizing that short video clips often fail to provide the full context of a situation.

As the debate continues across social media platforms, opinions remain sharply divided, with supporters and critics offering very different interpretations of the same moment.

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