Too stylish or too revealing? Jang Won-young posts photos of controversial ‘first kick’ outfit

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

IVE member Jang Won-young has shared a series of photos in the outfit that sparked heated discussion during her recent ceremonial first kick at a football match.

On Wednesday, Jang posted several photos on her personal account along with football and heart emojis.

The pictures show her wearing the same outfit she sported during IVE’s halftime performance and first kick at the first match of the 2025 Coupang Play Series, held on July 30 at Suwon World Cup Stadium.

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

For the event, IVE members appeared in custom football jersey outfits, each with a unique twist, before taking turns kicking the ball, a moment that drew widespread attention.

Jang’s look in particular stood out — an off-the-shoulder top paired with short shorts that gave the impression of a mini dress.

IVE / Xportsnews

While other members opted for loose-fit jersey tops and shorts, her fitted and revealing design drew sharp reactions from some fans and netizens, who said, “It’s too revealing,” “Not suitable for a ceremonial first kick” and “An outfit that makes viewers uncomfortable.” IVE’s Chinese fan base also voiced strong disapproval, saying the outfit was too tight, revealed too much and restricted her movement during the event.

However, other fans praised the effort to tailor each uniform to suit the members and to enhance the performance for the audience. The divided opinions sparked a lively debate online.

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

On Wednesday, Jang reignited the buzz by posting photos of herself in the outfit. She struck poses in front of the stadium, showing off the design with playful expressions that delighted fans.

She also shared shots holding a football to commemorate her participation, prompting comments such as, “Such a beautiful day,” “She wears a uniform like a princess” and “The whole world should know about this beauty.”

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