Jang Won-young
South Korean singer (born 2004)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jang Won-young (Korean: 장원영; born August 31, 2004), also known mononymously as Wonyoung, is a South Korean singer. She is a member of the South Korean girl group Ive under Starship Entertainment and former member of project girl group Iz*One, having finished first in Mnet's girl group survival reality television show Produce 48 in 2018.[1]
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Jang Won-young | |
|---|---|
Jang in May 2026 | |
| Born | August 31, 2004 Seoul, South Korea |
| Alma mater | School of Performing Arts Seoul |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Relatives | Jang Da-ah (sister) |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2018–present |
| Labels | |
| Member of | Ive |
| Formerly of | Iz*One |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 장원영 |
| RR | Jang Wonyeong |
| MR | Chang Wŏnyŏng |
| Signature | |
 | |
Early life and education
Jang Won-young was born in Ichon-dong of Seoul, South Korea, on August 31, 2004.[2][3] She has an older sister, actress Jang Da-ah (birth name: Jang Jin-young),[4] who is an artist under King Kong by Starship.[5][6]
After debuting with Iz*One, the group's label Off the Record announced Jang's intentions to complete education via home-schooling in April 2019. She subsequently left Yonggang Middle School and took the qualification exam,[7] passing with perfect scores in Korean, English, and mathematics, which attributes to her being bilingual, speaking Korean and English fluently.[8] Jang graduated from the School of Performing Arts Seoul on February 9, 2023.[9]
Career
2018–2020: Produce 48 and Iz*One
From June 15 to August 31, 2018, Jang represented Starship Entertainment alongside An Yu-jin and Cho Ka-hyeon on the girl group survival reality television show Produce 48. She eventually placed first and debuted with Iz*One.[10]
Iz*One's Korean debut extended play (EP) Color*Iz was released on October 29, 2018, under the label Off the Record, with "La Vie en Rose" serving as lead single.[11] Both the EP and its lead single received immediate commercial success, leading the group to win the New Artist of the Year award at several shows, including Golden Disc Awards and Seoul Music Awards.[12]
The group's Japanese debut single, "Suki to Iwasetai", was released on February 6, 2019, under UMG's EMI Records subsidiary.[13] Along with the group's Japanese debut promotion, Jang was selected alongside the Japanese member Sakura Miyawaki to center a collaborative performance between Nogizaka46, Keyakizaka46, and AKB48 at the FNS Music Festival.[14] In September 2019, Jang made her runway debut at the 29th Tokyo Girls Collection's 2019 Autumn/Winter fashion festival at Saitama Super Arena.[15] She also appeared at the Kitakyushu edition of the festival later that year.[16] On February 17, 2020, Iz*One released their first Korean-language studio album Bloom*Iz, on which Jang co-wrote the track "Dreamlike." The song was named by music webzine Beats Per Minute as the 19th best song of 2020, with critic J.T. Early praising the song for its "bright and irresistible force".[17]
2021–present: Ive, Music Bank, and solo activities
After Iz*One's disbandment on April 29, 2021, Jang returned to Starship Entertainment as a trainee along with group mate and labelmate An Yu-jin. In September 2021, Jang was announced as the new host of the program Music Bank with Enhypen's Sunghoon.[18] For their performance on the program, they were awarded with the Best Couple Award at the 2021 KBS Entertainment Awards.[19] On October 12, she and Leeteuk were chosen to host the 2021 Asia Artist Awards, which would be held in December of that year.[20] On November 4, 2021, Starship Entertainment revealed Jang as one of the six members in their new girl group Ive.[21][22] On December 1, 2021, Jang officially debuted as a member of Ive with the release of their single album Eleven, led by the single of the same name.[23]
In September 2022, Jang attended the 2022 Paris Fashion Week as an ambassador for luxury fashion brands Miu Miu and Fred Joaillier.[24][25] That same month, her contract as the host of Music Bank was extended.[26] On December 13, Jang hosted the 2022 Asia Artist Awards with Leeteuk.[27] Three days later, she also hosted the 2022 KBS Song Festival with Na In-woo and Kim Shin-young.[28] In January 2023, Jang stepped down as Music Bank host after sixteen months in the role.[29]
Ive released their first studio album, I've Ive, in April 2023, on which Jang wrote two tracks, "Mine" and "Shine with Me".[30] On August 18, she hosted the Friday night first concert of KCON LA 2023.[31] A month later, Jang was announced to be the host for the 8th Asia Artist Awards with co-hosts Kang Daniel and Sung Han-bin, which would be held in December of that year.[32] Following her appearance at Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2024, Jang was named by influencer marketing platform Lefty as the 13th top influencer of Paris Fashion Week, with her appearance generating an estimated media value of $3 million for Miu Miu.[33] On October 13, Ive released their extended play, I've Mine, on which Jang wrote the track "OTT".[34] On November 26, it was announced that Jang would be hosting the 2023 KBS Music Bank Global Festival alongside Rowoon on December 15.[35]
On April 29, 2024, Ive released their second extended play Ive Switch, on which Jang wrote the track "Blue Heart", her fourth work as a solo lyricist.[36] In an interview with Nylon, she stated that the song was inspired by her experiences in the entertainment industry, where women faced hyperscrutiny from media and fans.[37] In September 2024, Jang was announced to be the host for 9th Asia Artist Awards, which would be held in December of the same year, with co-host Sung Han-bin.[38] It was also confirmed in November 2024 that Jang would be hosting the 2024 KBS Music Bank Global Festival alongside Zico and Kim Young-dae on December 20.[39] This marked her third consecutive year of hosting the KBS Year End Festival.[40]
On February 3, 2025, Ive released their third Korean-language EP Ive Empathy, on which Jang co-wrote the title track "Attitude".[41] The single peaked at number 7 on Circle Digital Chart.[42] In April 2025, Jang was announced as the host for the 10th Asia Artist Awards, which would be held in December of the same year, with co-host Lee Jun-ho. This marked her 5th consecutive year hosting the award.[43] On August 25, 2025, Ive released their fourth Korean-language EP Ive Secret, on which Jang co-wrote the lead single "XOXZ".[44] The song was later named by Billboard as one of the best K-pop songs of 2025, with a staff writer for Billboard Korea noting how the track's "self-possessed attitude speaks clearly: asking for everything, with total confidence".[45] On November 2, 2025, Jang performed her first solo track "8", as part of the setlist for Ive's Show What I Am World Tour.[46] The track, which Jang co-wrote, was later released as part of Ive's second studio album Revive+.[47] "8" peaked at number 17 on the Circle Digital Chart.[48] Jang also co-wrote lyrics for "Bang Bang", which was released as a pre-release single for Revive+ on February 9, 2026.[49]
Public image and influence
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Jang has received sustained attention in domestic media, particularly in relation to fashion, beauty, and advertising. Coverage has often focused on her visual presentation and stage presence, and she has been described as a representative figure within contemporary K-pop popular culture.[50][51] In 2026, Jang ranked 29th in the Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40, with Forbes noting Jang's influence in fashion, advertising, and social media.[52]
Jang has been characterized in Korean media as a commercially influential advertising figure and has frequently ranked at or near the top of the Korean Business Research Institute's monthly brand reputation rankings for girl group members.[53] She has ranked first on multiple occasions, including in February 2025,[54] from September 2025 to January 2026,[55][56][57][58][59] and in April 2026.[60]
Brands that Jang has endorsed as a model have achieved domestic and foreign success. After Jang was appointed as a model and ambassador for Hapa Kristin in 2022, the brand experienced a 40.3% increase in sales the following year, which was attributed to Jang's popularity.[61] Hapa Kristin became known for its "Jang Won-young lens", and in 2024, became the first beauty lens store to open flagship locations in the United States.[62][63] Rising domestic and foreign interest, as well as the brand's rapid overseas expansion has been attributed to the success of marketing campaigns featuring Jang, with Hapa Kristin reporting sales increases from 100 million won in 2019 to 52.5 billion won in 2024.[64][65] Following her appointment as a model for Medicube in July 2025, APR, the brand's parent company, reported record quarterly financial results in 2025. In 2026, TIME Magazine named APR as one of the 100 Most Influential Companies in the World. APR is also the only Korean company among 2026's top 100.[66][67][68]
On November 8, 2024, ice cream manufacturer Baskin-Robbins released a product in Korea called Lucky Vicky Mochi. The name was reportedly inspired by a phrase Jang popularized in the country, combining "lucky" with her English name Vicky and reflecting an optimistic attitude. Baskin-Robbins faced swift backlash for allegedly using Jang's phrase without permission from the singer. A day later, the brand halted sales for Lucky Vicky Mochi.[69]
In January 2025, Jang appeared on the talk show You Quiz on the Block, during which she mentioned the book Buddha's Words (초역 부처의 말) by Ryunosuke Koike as a personal source of comfort during demanding schedules. Following the broadcast, the book experienced a substantial increase in sales and rose to the top of several bestseller lists.[70][71]
Jang was selected along side with other featured stars including G-Dragon, Director Park Chan-wook, Park Ji-sung, DJ Peggy Gou, Chef Anh Sung-jae, and President Lee Jae Myung to represent South Korea for the promotional video for the '2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Meeting in South Korea on November 1, 2025. It was the second time South Korea hosted the summit, having previously hosted in 2005.[72][73]
Jang's appearances at Paris Fashion Week have also been noted in media coverage, where she has ranked highly in influencer metrics and contributed to brand exposure. Products associated with her appearances have frequently sold out, and she has remained prominent in brand reputation rankings in subsequent years.[74][75][59]
Other ventures
Endorsements
As a trainee at Starship Entertainment in early 2018, Jang was chosen as a model in a music video sponsored by Pepsi Korea called "Love It Live It", along with YDPP and Park Sun.[76]
Alongside her activities in Iz*One, Jang appeared on numerous magazine covers (including Beauty Plus, Vogue Korea, and Elle Korea), as well as for various beauty brands in South Korea (such as Dior, Miu Miu, and Laura Mercier).[77][78][79] She also appeared in GQ Korea's July 2020 issue,[80] and listed among the K-icons for Miu Miu during the Autumn/Winter 2021 Fashion Week.[81] In 2021, Jang was one of the Iz*One members chosen to model in the music video "Zero:Attitude" for the Pepsi 2021 K-Pop Campaign. The campaign was revealed Starship Entertainment as a collaboration between Iz*One and Soyou, featuring rapper pH-1.[82]
After Iz*One's disbandment, Jang appeared in several fashion films, namely for Chaumet's Joséphine Collection and Miu Miu's Maritime.[83] On July 27, 2021, Amorepacific Corporation announced that Jang was chosen as global ambassador for its natural cosmetics brand Innisfree.[84] In October 2021, Jang was officially announced as Kirsh's new muse.[85] She represented the brand for its 2021 Winter and 2022 Spring/Summer collections.[86] In the Harper's Bazaar Korea December 2021 issue, for which she was the cover girl, Jang was officially announced as Miu Miu's brand ambassador.[87] Following the announcement, she appeared in Y Magazine's April 2022 issue to represent the Miu Miu Spring 2022 ready-to-wear collection and Bvlgari's Divas' Dream collection.[88]
Following her debut as a member of Ive, Jang continued to expand her influence by endorsing a variety of fashion and lifestyle brands. On May 20, 2022, she was officially announced as the latest model for SK Telecom.[89] In June 2022, she, alongside group member Leeseo, was selected as a model for the Pepsi 2022 K-Pop Campaign. This initiative, unveiled by Starship Entertainment, featured a collaboration between Ive, Cravity, and Oh My Girl for the promotional music video "Blue & Black."[90]
On July 18, 2022, Jang was appointed ambassador for the golfwear brand Gospheres, representing the label in a pictorial featured in the August 2022 issue of Elle Korea.[91] Just days later, on July 21, she was named global ambassador and muse for the color contact lens brand Hapa Kristin.[92] On August 16, 2022, she became a model for the French outdoor fashion brand Eider, and three days afterward, she was announced as the first Korean ambassador for the French jewelry house Fred Joaillier.[93] Jang has since represented the brand in numerous publications, including Marie Claire Korea,W Korea, and Cosmopolitan.
In recognition of her rising influence, Maeil Business Newspaper described Jang in 2022 as "a blue chip in the advertising world."[94] In September of the same year, she was named muse for Suecomma Bonnie, a South Korean footwear brand under Kolon Industries, modeling for its 2022 Fall/Winter collection titled "Young and Rich" as well as the brand's 20th anniversary collaboration with Barbie.[95][96]
In February 2023, Jang was named the muse for South Korean casual fashion label SJSJ.[97] Later that year, in August, she began representing the beauty brand Amuse as its new model.[98] The following February, it was revealed that Jang is the new model for the clothing brand Rolarola.[99] She was also introduced as a brand ambassador for the French haircare company Kérastase in April of the same year.[100] Subsequently, on August 30, she was unveiled as the global brand ambassador for Tommy Jeans.[101]
On February 14, 2025, Jang was introduced as the new promotional model of Woori Bank.[102] Woori Bank also announced the release of its new mobile service ''Woori WON mobile'' and its stock trading application "Woori WON MTS" with Jang as the appointed campaign model.[103][104] The following month, she was announced as the brand ambassador for the Vietnamese beverage company Malto.[105] On April 7, she was revealed as the advertising model for Binggrae's ice cream line, Deep & Low, and shortly thereafter, she was named ambassador for Dyson Korea.[106][107] In May, she began representing the global nail care brand Dashing Diva.[108] Most recently, she was introduced as the model for Downy Korea on July 1,[109] and was subsequently announced as the new model of Medicube's beauty device AGE-R on July 8.[66] In August, Italian luxury house Bulgari announced Jang as its ambassador.[110][111] In December, Jang appeared alongside Byeon Woo-seok and Karina for Google Gemini's advertising campaign titled "The Christmas Song".[112]
In March 2026, Jang became the global model of skincare brand Dr. Althea.[113] In April, Jang was announced as Asia-Pacific ambassador of Dyson alongside actor Park Bo-gum.[114]
Collaborations
In 2026, Jang collaborated with Medicube on Forever:Cherry, which was revealed on May 11 to be a premium hair brush with a ribbon cherry decoration. The product launched exclusively in the Japanese market on June 1, where it ranked first overall on the e-commerce platform Qoo10 on the day of its release.[115]
Discography
Songs
Promotional singles
Composition credits
All song credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association's database unless stated otherwise.[117]
| Title | Year | Artist | Album | Lyricist | Composer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Dreamlike" | 2020 | Iz*One | Bloom*Iz |  |
 |
| "With*One" | Oneiric Diary | |
| ||
| "Mine" | 2023 | Ive | I've Ive | |
|
| "Shine With Me" | |
| |||
| "OTT" | I've Mine | |
| ||
| "Blue Heart" | 2024 | Ive Switch | |
| |
| "Attitude" | 2025 | Ive Empathy | |
| |
| "XOXZ" | Ive Secret | |
| ||
| "Bang Bang" | 2026 | Revive+ | |
| |
| "8"[d] | Herself | |
|
Videography
Filmography
Television shows
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Produce 48 | Contestant | Finished in 1st place | [10] |
| 2019 | Happy Together | Special host | with Kim Min-ju | [119] |
Hosting
| Year | Title | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–2023 | Music Bank | with Sunghoon and Lee Chae-min | [18] |
| 2021 | 6th Asia Artist Awards | with Leeteuk | [120] |
| 2021 KBS Song Festival | with Arin, Soobin, and Sunghoon | [121] | |
| 2022 | 7th Asia Artist Awards | with Leeteuk | [27] |
| 2022 KBS Song Festival | with Kim Shin-young and Na In-woo | [122] | |
| 2023 | 2023 KCON LA | on the Friday night first concert | [31] |
| 8th Asia Artist Awards | with Kang Daniel and Sung Han-bin | [32] | |
| 2023 KBS Music Bank Global Festival | with Rowoon | [35] | |
| 2024 | 9th Asia Artist Awards | with Sung Han-bin and Ryu Jun-yeol | [38][123] |
| 2024 KBS Music Bank Global Festival | with Zico and Kim Young-dae | [39] | |
| 2025 | 10th Asia Artist Awards | with Lee Jun-ho | [124] |
| 2025 KBS Music Bank Global Festival in Japan | with Lee Jun-young | [125] | |
| 2026 | 11th Asia Artist Awards | [126] |
Accolades
Awards and nominations
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee / Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asia Artist Awards | 2023 | Asia Celebrity Award – Music | Jang Won-young | Won | [127] |
| 2024 | Won | [128] | |||
| Queen of AAA | Won | ||||
| 2025 | Asia Celebrity Award – Music | Won | [129] | ||
| Grand Presence of K-pop | Won | ||||
| Symbol of AAA | Won | ||||
| Brand of the Year Awards[f] | Female Advertising Model of the Year | Won | [131][132] | ||
| K-World Dream Awards | Solo Artist Popularity Award | Won | [133] | ||
| KBS Entertainment Awards | 2021 | Best Couple Award | Jang Won-young (with Park Sung-hoon) Music Bank |
Won | [19] |
| Rookie Award in Show/Variety Category | Music Bank | Nominated | [134] | ||
| Korea Youth Hope Awards | 2022 | Korea Youth Hope Award (Entertainment) | Jang Won-young | Won | [135] |
Listicles
| Publisher | Year | Listicle | Placement | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forbes | 2026 | Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40 | 29th | [52] |
Notes
- credited to Ive, but the track is a solo by Jang Won-young
