Fans Claim Produce 48 Winner Jang Wonyoung Is Part Taiwanese
Starship Entertainment’s Jang Wonyoung has become a hot topic among Produce 48 fans, due to her alleged Taiwanese heritage.
During Produce 48, Jang Wonyoung quickly became a fan favourite. Viewers fell in love with her charismatic stage presence, stunning visuals, and charming vocals.
Jang Wonyoung won first place on the survival show, which guaranteed her a spot in the upcoming 12-member girl group, IZ*ONE.
During the show’s run, rumors began to circulate about Jang Wonyoung’s nationality. Some netizens believe she may not be full Korean, but rather part Taiwanese, because of her original profile on the official Produce 48 website.
Fans have pointed out that at the beginning of the competition, Jang Wonyoung’s name was listed as Chang YuanYing.
These rumours may have also stemmed from an article written by a Taiwanese news outlet earlier this year. On May 18, ETtoday published an article about Jang Wonyoung that stated that Jang Wonyoung’s father is Taiwanese and her mother is Korean.
On September 5, a Facebook post claiming to have “confirmed” Jang Wonyoung’s Taiwanese heritage began to circulate, causing even more confusion.
The passports in this photo, however, were meant to be used only as reference. None of the passports belong to Jang Wonyoung.
So far, Star Entertainment has neither confirmed nor denied these rumors, which has led to speculation.
Some fans believe Jang Wonyoung’s father is Korean but was born in Taiwan. Others say that her family immigrated to Korea generations ago.
Netizens have pointed out that if the rumors are true, IZ*ONE’s makeup could be considered similar to that of TWICE because TWICE has 5 Korean members, 3 Japanese members, and 1 Taiwanese member.
wait wonyoung is part taiwanese??? the.. im telling u izone is twice's successors or children they have 3 japanese members and 1 Tall Ass Taiwanese (?)
— Xx_YvesBones_xX (@sweetheonie) September 5, 2018
I think I have a thing for girl groups with different races in the group or maybe with 3 japanese. Twice have 3 japanese and 1 taiwanese and IZONE which I'm really starting to like has 3 japanese and the rest all koreans. I don't know why but I'm attracted to those groups.
— 1💕2 2💕1 (@LykaFaithR) October 7, 2018
In the end, Jang Wonyoung fans believe that her nationality should not matter because they love her for who she is, not where she came from.
