Jang Wonyoung explains controversy over bowing to Bulgari male executive: "I was flustered and missed it."

IVE member Jang Wonyoung recently addressed the cheek-to-cheek greeting controversy that arose at the luxury brand Bulgari event. On the 4th, Jang Wonyoung explained the situation through a paid fan communication platform, stating that she missed one person’s cheek-to-cheek greeting due to being overwhelmed by the photo call. She said, ″At the Bulgari event, because it was a photo call, I was so flustered that I missed one person’s cheek-to-cheek greeting, but I guess that could be misunderstood.″ She added, ″We are even like family who greeted each other with ’Kya’ before the event started,″ and ″Of course, I just didn’t see (the greeting).″ She also said, ″Surely no one thinks I didn’t do it? That would really be surprising.″ This controversy originated from the Bulgari ’Light, Shape, and Vision’ exhibition preview event held on the 28th of last month in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Jang Wonyoung, who attended the event as Bulgari’s official ambassador, greeted Laura Burdese, Bulgari’s CEO, with a cheek-to-cheek greeting. Then, Vincenzo Puija, Bulgari’s Global Sales and Retail Vice President, approached to greet her in the same way, but Jang Wonyoung turned her head, and the two did not exchange cheek-to-cheek greetings. A video capturing this scene spread through online communities and social media, sparking controversy. Some netizens reacted by suggesting that Jang Wonyoung deliberately avoided the male executive’s greeting and criticized her attitude and business manners at the official event. On the other hand, opinions were raised that since cheek-to-cheek greetings involve physical contact, individual consent should come first. There was also a counterargument that it is impossible to determine Jang Wonyoung’s intention based on a short video alone. Meanwhile, Jang Wonyoung has been active as Bulgari’s official brand ambassador since August last year. IVE released the mini-album Looks Can Kill on the 26th of last month and concluded music show promotions for the title track of the same name with SBS’s Inkigayo on the 1st.