Netizens Defend IVE’s Jang Wonyoung After Her Reaction To A Child Touching Her Goes Viral

Netizens have come to IVE Jang Wonyoung‘s defense after a video of her reaction to a child touching her went viral.

IVE are currently in Madrid, Spain, for the KPOP LUX x SUPER SBS CONCERT music festival. The group will perform for fans in the country alongside other artists, including SHINee, ENHYPEN, and STAYC.

Before the festival, some fans were lucky enough to run into the group as they visited different attractions in the country.

Wonyoung waved at me wtf#ive #KPOPLUX pic.twitter.com/lgyCQ3lMni

— Corinna (@corinnaaaaaa) July 21, 2023

UMMM GUYS I JUST SAW IVE????? LOOK WONYOUNG #IVE #WONYOUNG pic.twitter.com/row2d67Cdn

— azalea ✩ifb roadys (@minjaerockstar) July 21, 2023

Just saw Ive here in Madrid by chance, Wonyoung said “Hi” to us, she’s so beautiful!!! pic.twitter.com/kMvMoJKqig

— muichiro (@haiyun_tae) July 21, 2023

During their time exploring, a moment was captured that has since gone viral. In the short clip, a child can be seen approaching Wonyoung while waving and appearing to touch her hair.

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Wonyoung reacts with surprise before security moves the child out of the way.

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The clip has gone viral with over four million views on Twitter as viewers gave their thoughts on the situation, with some groundlessly accusing Wonyoung of racism and colorism.

She’s such a gross person, she probably thinks he’s dirty because of his skin, i always knew this lil girl was extremely colorist, now we know its true… god will not be kind to you miss skeleton https://t.co/MoAD2Yghth

— ”̮ ✩ꕤ ???????????? ꕤ✩ ”̮ (@pyxietardie) July 22, 2023

..honestly not surprised she’s a racist and probably colorist she gives off bad energy and this confirms it. imagine how she reacts when she visits 3rd world countries https://t.co/xy4jwAvouT

— daeul’s world⁴ (@IeedaeuI) July 22, 2023

Netizens came to her defense and brought up Wonyoung’s past statements about being surprised easily as reasoning behind her response. Clips of how she reacted when children greeted her without invading her space in the past were also shared.

Non-dives might not know this but wonyoung gets surprised so easily. If you watched their horror eps on variety shows, you can see how she reacts even on the slightest sound or movement. Her immediate reaction would be either shout, or run away just as what she did to that boy https://t.co/Ni6LwBhfqF pic.twitter.com/Pkr3HCj2zf

— (@shino_ive) July 22, 2023

Quotes stop and see how wonyoung initiated greeting these kids who respected her personal spacepic.twitter.com/HaUhkGpm4x https://t.co/Ni6LwBhfqF

— (@shino_ive) July 22, 2023

THE HATE IS SO FORCED

wonyoung is always nice to people who respect her. suddenly coming and touching??? it’s so impolite. it’a her private space! this is what this kid will get from wonyoung if he didn’t touch her

pic.twitter.com/7eNe4LEKHD https://t.co/JvAflj68u5

— َ (@wickyjang) July 22, 2023

Others argued that her response to a stranger approaching her so closely was normal. Many shared that they have reacted the same in similar circumstances, regardless of who the person was.

y'all uncomfortable when the person behind you in line at starbucks is too close but some random child ran up on her and y'all want her to jump for joy?? https://t.co/DdcBQ7ZcGd

— your deobi dj (@computercart) July 22, 2023

i pray one day that kpop fans realize that these idols are also human. this is a very acceptable and understandable reaction to a child you don’t know walking into your personal space. like leave this girl alone i beg https://t.co/oSqs6slLkL

— sky (@keyboms) July 21, 2023

Yes, we know he’s a kid, but he did go up and invade her personal space (even if his intentions were nice).

Would you have liked it if someone random were to walk up so close to you and touching you all of a sudden?

You can see that she was genuinely startled— https://t.co/YpcX2L0JJw

— for annyeongz. (@0403FEED) July 22, 2023

Hopefully, IVE and DIVES can enjoy the group’s time in the country without any other incidents.