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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Actress Lim Ji Yeon is finally opening up about the unexpected backlash she received after showing support for actor Jung Woo Sung during his controversial return to the public eye.

In an interview on January 23rd, following the end of her drama The Tale of Lady Ok, Lim Ji Yeon spoke candidly about the situation that caused a stir at the 45th Blue Dragon Film Awards in November last year.

At the event, Jung Woo Sung made his public return after facing controversy surrounding an “illegitimate child” with model Moon Ga Bi. While Jung Woo Sung took the stage to apologize, Lim Ji Yeon was seen clapping and cheering for him.

Reflecting on that moment, Lim Ji Yeon shared, "It was a brief moment, so it’s hard to say whether it was right or wrong." She added, "I didn’t expect the public’s reaction. On the other hand, I was cautious since The Tale of Lady Ok was airing at the time."

For those who missed it, Jung Woo Sung and Moon Ga Bi, who had been in a relationship since 2022, revealed last year that they were expecting a child.

The actor took full responsibility for the situation and issued an apology during the awards ceremony, saying, "I’m sorry for causing concern and disappointment to everyone who has shown me love and support. I will bear all the criticism, and I promise to take full responsibility as a father to my son".

However, while Jung Woo Sung addressed the controversy, it was Lim Ji Yeon’s show of support that sparked controversy.

She cheered enthusiastically for Jung Woo Sung, while actress Hye Ri, who was seated next to her, kept a neutral, expressionless face. This led to a wave of criticism from some netizens who questioned Lim Ji Yeon’s reaction.

It’s worth noting that Lim Ji Yeon’s agency, Artist Company, was co-founded by Jung Woo Sung and actor Lee Jung Jae, both of whom currently serve as directors.

Could this connection have influenced Lim Ji Yeon’s public display of support? She’s still processing the response, and fans are curious to know how she’ll handle the fallout moving forward.

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