Jang Won-young Counters Arm-Crossing Controversy with Her Own Arm

IVE member Jang Won-young appears unshaken by a second round of online criticism over her body language. The K-pop star posted a fresh set of photos and a short video on Instagram, striking a pose that seemed to answer her critics directly.

Jang shared the update on Instagram on the 16th, adding only a string of emojis in place of a caption. In the images, she wears a black tank top and moves through a range of poses. One shot stands out: Jang with her arms crossed, the exact stance that had drawn criticism online in recent weeks.

The backlash began earlier this month, on the 1st, during a schedule at an amusement park. As a staff member spoke to the group, Jang listened with her arms crossed while the other IVE members stood differently. Some viewers online called the posture rude, with comments such as "crossing your arms while someone is talking to you," "it's disrespectful in a conversation," and "is arm-crossing a habit?" Others pushed back, saying the reaction was overblown and that Jang was being unfairly targeted again.

It was her second etiquette debate in as many months. In late May, on the 30th, footage from her departure to Shanghai showed Jang crossing her arms in front of an immigration officer checking her face, and appearing to snatch her passport back. That clip also split opinion online.

Jang is scheduled to head to New York later this month. On the 26th local time, she will throw the ceremonial first pitch at Citi Field, home of the New York Mets, ahead of their game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.