IVE’s “I AM” MV Director Praises Wonyoung For Filming Despite Serious Injury, But Fans Aren’t Happy
Fans of IVE are demanding better treatment for member Wonyoung after the revelation that she continued working despite being injured.
On July 12, Sam Son (Son Seung Hee), the director of IVE’s latest title track, “I AM,” guested on the MBC radio show Close Friend hosted by GOT7‘s Youngjae. Here, she revealed that Wonyoung injured her arm during the shoot and required seven stitches to heal.
I have never said this publicly, but while filming, Jang Wonyoung suffered an injury to her arm, which required seven stitches. I have never been so shocked on set.
— Son Seung Hee
The director expected that the K-Pop idol would not be present to film the last two scenes. After only two days at the emergency room, however, Wonyoung showed up on set and continued filming as if nothing were wrong.
I thought she wouldn’t be able to film anymore, but after spending two days getting stitched up in the emergency room, she filmed her scenes. Even cooler was the fact that she never complained about her injuries. If I was her age, I would have definitely let it be known that I was injured.
— Son Seung Hee
If one peered closely at the dance scene in the music video, a scar around two inches long could be seen on Wonyoung’s left arm.
Though Sam Son mentioned the story in the context of praising Wonyoung for her perseverance, fans have zeroed in on the fact that she felt the need to continue working in the first place.
They called out STARSHIP Entertainment for their gross negligence.
a car accident, multiple bruises seen on the members, a crazy schedule that caused rei’s hiatus, and now a serious injury that wonyoung had to get SEVEN stitches for. you can’t hide behind ive forever.
STARSHIP TREAT IVE BETTER#IVEDESERVEBETTER #WONYOUNG_BetterTreatment
— yun 🍬 I WANT to see ive again (@03yjin) July 13, 2023
The words “STARSHIP TREAT IVE BETTER” and “WONYOUNG_BetterTreatment” trended on Twitter following the revelation.
I AM MV director revealed that Wonyoung's hand was injured, she was sent to the hospital and got 7 stitches. Despite having to go to emergency room, WY still came back filming.
STARSHIP TREAT IVE BETTER#IVEDESERVEBETTER #WONYOUNG_BetterTreatment@STARSHIPent @STARSHIP_STAFF pic.twitter.com/Tsqk8jLYe9
— PROTECT IVE (SLOW) (@PROTECT_IVE) July 13, 2023
Don’t make me mad starshit…… i have been sooooo patient with you..
#WONYOUNG_BetterTreatment pic.twitter.com/8SInkctywx— Atin 🍒 (@frwonyoung) July 13, 2023
So she got hurt, and all the fans didn't know⁉️Wonyoung went to the emergency room to get her wound stitched up to match the team's progress, and just got 14-second lyrics and a standing in corner choreography⁉️@IVEstarship #장원영 #WONYOUNG_BetterTreatment pic.twitter.com/ak8RCEc5mZ
— won a young (@wyoonung) July 14, 2023
They found it particularly upsetting that the company has yet to come out with an appropriate response to concerns of fans especially after having allegedly removed the radio show episode from online platforms.
as fans its natural for us to be worried and upset but you haven’t been responding to any of our emails and have continuously ignored our calls to treat wonyoung and ive better. as a company isn’t your job is to protect the girls? #WONYOUNG_BetterTreatment pic.twitter.com/gTld6coAsR
— umm (@yujinprod) July 13, 2023
– Doesn't sue antis but is quick to take down incriminating videos
– Gives IVE crazy schedules to the point where they get sick & tired
– Staff acts out but IVE gets all the blameSTARSHIP TREAT IVE BETTER #IVEDESERVEBETTER #WONYOUNG_BetterTreatment@STARSHIPent @STARSHIP_STAFF
— I WANT starship girls 🌊 (@starshipgirlz) July 13, 2023
starship is so fuvked up… that company immediately put down the radio interview but can’t can’t action on the cyberbullying the girls are receiving online. they can’t even give the beat minimum treatment when IVE is the only reason why their company hasn’t gone bankrupt yet
— I WANT a 🝮 (@anyudins) July 13, 2023
Wonyoung’s busy schedule has often been the cause of concern among fans. In an interview with JaeJae, she responded that “even thinking about” her busy schedule makes her “nervous.” At one point, she couldn’t sleep for several days while attending back-to-back events in Paris and South Korea.
Not only could I not sleep, it also felt very burdensome. My stamina ran out. These were all important schedules. I couldn’t really do anything about them but I learned a lot from them.
— Wonyoung
@IVEstarship #장원영 #WONYOUNG_BetterTreatment
this is insane what the hell is wrong with them pic.twitter.com/KvQuWZeFAg
— TJ 🧸 annyeongz psych ward member (@chaewonmee) July 13, 2023
Thus, the criticism towards STARSHIP Entertainment has increased. Big ticket fans such as the Chinese fansite of Wonyoung have decided to suspend their monetary support for the group until the company sets guidelines to treat them better.
Wonyoung cbar has stated that, ‘We choose not to consume Until Jang Wonyoung has better treatment. We think the rights and interests of consumers are not well protected’#WONYOUNG_BetterTreatment #IVE #JANGWONYOUNG #장원영 pic.twitter.com/FceiCCj1qm
— Riiita🎀 (@wonyoung_rita) July 9, 2023
At the end of the day, they only seek for the company to take care of the artists they are in charge of.
BETTER TREATMENT FOR IVE #StarshipTreatIVEBetter #WONYOUNG_BetterTreatment https://t.co/OAbZkewf3X pic.twitter.com/fOYFzJClhT
— I WANT IVE TO LEAVE STARSHIP (@annyeongzboss) July 13, 2023
STARSHIP Entertainment has yet to release an official response on the matter.