Jang Wonyoung of the popular girl group IVE, known for her bright energy and as an "MZ Wannabe Icon," will once again be the host for the Asia Artist Awards (AAA) in 2024, marking her fourth consecutive year.

Her agency, Starship Entertainment, confirmed that Jang Wonyoung will lead the 9th Asia Artist Awards (AAA 2024), which will take place on December 27th at the IMPACT Challenger Hall in Bangkok, Thailand.

Jang Wonyoung first joined the event in 2021, and since then, she has become a standout MC at the annual awards. At last year’s AAA 2023 in the Philippines, her flawless hosting and impressive foreign language skills earned her widespread praise. She also won the Asia Celebrity Award for her outstanding contributions.

In addition to her hosting career, Jang Wonyoung has been active in the advertising world, representing several fashion and beauty brands. Her positive and bright personality has made her a trendsetter, especially with the rise of her "Wonyoung-Style Thinking" mindset, which has gained popularity among the MZ generation. Her English name "Vicky" combined with the word "Lucky" has turned into a viral meme called "Lucky Vicky," symbolizing positivity and good fortune. This trend has even sparked cognitive ability tests inspired by the term, further cementing Jang Wonyoung as an influential figure beyond just K-pop.

Jang Wonyoung is also known for her musical talent. She has contributed lyrics to several of IVE's tracks, including "Mine," "Shine With Me," "OTT," and "Blue Heart," proving her skills as a songwriter.

As she continues to make her mark in various fields, from music to hosting, Jang Wonyoung's role as the AAA 2024 MC has fans both in Korea and internationally excited to see what she will bring to the stage.

Meanwhile, IVE, the group Jang Wonyoung is part of, has been making waves around the world. They captivated over 420,000 fans during their world tour, wrapping up their final performance at Tokyo Dome in September. IVE has solidified their status as "performance champions" through appearances at major events like Lollapalooza Chicago and Summer Sonic 2024, with a performance at Lollapalooza Paris scheduled for next year.

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Lee Kyung Gyu's star-making influence goes beyond Kang Ho Dong, as Hong Jin Kyung shares how he helped her kickstart her career.

On the April 24 episode of KBS 2TV’s Problem Child in House, legendary comedian Lee Kyung Gyu appeared as a guest—and a touching story from the past was revealed.

Hong Jin Kyung surprised everyone when she said, “He’s the teacher for all of us. Personally, he’s the one who helped me debut.” She even pinned a carnation flower on his chest to show her gratitude.

Lee Kyung Gyu smiled and said, “I still remember when Hong Jin Kyung walked up the stairs onto the stage for the first time.”

Hong Jin Kyung then shared her journey to becoming a star. “I joined a supermodel contest, but only the top 3 winners were noticed in broadcasting. I got a special prize, so I had no chance to be on TV."

She continued, "At first, I was just a backup for a show. But somehow, I became a regular the next week. I never knew why."

She added, "I thought the PD gave me a shot. But then one day, I randomly met Kyung Gyu sunbae, and he told me it was actually him who recommended me.”

Kim Sook asked with a smile, “So Kyung Gyu sunbae said nice things about you to the PD?”

Lee Kyung Gyu playfully replied, “Don’t say it in such a childish way,” making everyone laugh.

He then explained more seriously, “The show was Scoop TV Entertainment, and I was pretty much the main MC. When Jin Kyung showed up, I saw her determination and passion."

He added, "While others didn’t seem serious, she really stood out. I told the PD, ‘She seems unique. Why not keep her on the show?’”

Kim Jong Kook chimed in, “So if the main MC said that, doesn’t that mean you basically got her in?”

That made Lee Kyung Gyu happy. He grinned and replied, “Exactly! You speak well. Be like him!”

He added, “After that, Jin Kyung’s career took off. She started doing shows with Lee Young Ja and just kept going.”

Fans are now calling Lee Kyung Gyu not only a top MC, but also a quiet star-maker behind the scenes!

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