‘Princess’ image no more? IVE’s Jang Won-young sparks buzz with bolder, sexier style shift

Jang Won-young / Captured from Jang's social media, Xportsnews

Jang Won-young of K-pop girl group IVE is drawing attention online as fans debate whether the idol is moving away from her signature “lovely princess” image in favor of a bolder and more mature style.

Long known for her bright, elegant and doll-like visuals since her days in IZ*ONE, Jang has recently been showcasing a noticeably different mood through fashion choices that lean more sensual and trend-driven.

The latest wave of discussion began after the singer attended a photo call event for an Italian high jewelry brand wearing a black velvet tube top dress that highlighted a sleek silhouette and a more sophisticated image. The fitted styling emphasized both her tall proportions and glamorous aura, prompting strong reactions across social media and online communities.

Jang Won-young / Xportsnews

Fans said the look felt distinctly different from the youthful and “princess-like” styling often associated with the star during IVE’s earlier years.

Another round of buzz followed after Jang uploaded new photos to social media on May 15, where she showed off a daring “sagging” fashion style — a trend in which pants are worn lower on the hips to intentionally reveal underwear details.

Jang Won-young / Captured from Jang's social media

The styling, which included black ribbon-accented underwear paired with loose-fitting bottoms, quickly spread online as fans praised her trendy and confident image. Korean media reports also noted that the luxury-brand item she wore, from a fashion house she currently represents as an ambassador, reportedly costs around 1.5 million won ($1,080).

Observers said the transformation reflects how Jang’s public image has evolved over the years. During her IZ*ONE days, she was largely known for her youthful and playful charm as the group’s youngest member. After debuting with IVE, she built a polished and feminine image that blended innocence with elegance.

Now, fans say her style spectrum appears to be widening further to include more mature, glamorous and fashion-forward concepts.

Online reactions have been mixed but intense. Some fans said, “Her vibe completely changed,” and “She can pull off sexy concepts now too,” while others said they still preferred her earlier innocent image.

This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.