[OSENWORLD] K-pop girl group IVE came under public scrutiny after their appearance at a major football match in South Korea, with fans and netizens debating whether their re-styled uniforms were appropriate for the occasion.
On July 30, IVE took part in the ceremonial kick-off and halftime performance during the first match of the “2025 Coupang Play Series” at Suwon World Cup Stadium, where Team K League played against Newcastle United, the 2024–2025 Carabao Cup champions.
While the group’s performance was a highlight of the evening, their outfits quickly became a topic of heated discussion online. Each IVE member wore a personalized version of a football jersey, modified to suit her individual style—but many online commenters argued that the designs were too revealing for a ceremonial sports event.
The customized uniforms included hot pants that exposed the members’ thighs, and in some cases, they didn’t appear to be wearing shorts underneath for coverage. Members Ahn Yu-jin, Leeseo, and Rei styled their jerseys to expose one shoulder, while Jang Won-young wore a skin-tight tube dress version that accentuated her figure.
Following their kick-off appearance, IVE also performed during halftime. Viewers pointed out that the short shorts seemed to interfere with their choreography, calling the outfits unnecessarily revealing. While some defended the group, saying the criticism was overblown after watching full performance clips, the backlash extended to the group’s stylists and management agency, Starship Entertainment.
Chinese fan communities even issued formal complaints. A joint statement criticized the agency for dressing Jang Won-young in an outfit that was overly tight and restrictive—particularly in comparison to the other members. The statement called for more thoughtful styling choices, alignment between event concepts and outfits, respect for individual style preferences, and an end to the repeated framing of young female artists under a “sexy” image.
In response to the controversy, member Rei took to a fan communication platform to clarify, writing, “Our IVE uniforms were super cute, right? We actually asked to customize them the way we each wanted.” Her message indicated that the outfits were chosen by the members themselves, which helped calm the growing criticism. Still, some fans expressed disappointment, saying the styling detracted from the group’s usual charisma and professionalism on stage.
Meanwhile, IVE is preparing for a late August comeback with a new album—marking their return to the music scene after approximately seven months.
/k_inside@osen.co.kr
