Did IVE's Wonyoung Snub a Bulgari Executive? She Responds: "That Would Really Surprise Me"

K-POP group IVE member Jang Wonyoung has addressed allegations that she deliberately avoided a cheek-to-cheek greeting from a male executive at a Bulgari event. She explained that she simply missed the greeting amid a hectic photo call.

Wonyoung addressed the incident through a fan communication platform on the afternoon of Nov. 4.

"At the Bulgari event, things were so hectic during the photo call that I missed one person's cheek greeting. I guess that could be misunderstood," she said.

"We're all like family and had already greeted each other warmly before the event," she continued. "Of course, I just didn't see it."

She added, "Surely no one thinks I deliberately skipped the greeting, right? That would really surprise me."

The explanation came after footage from the event, which was held on Oct. 28 in Seoul's Cheongdam-dong, circulated across online communities and social media on Nov. 4.

In the video, Wonyoung first greeted Bulgari CEO Laura Burdese with a cheek-to-cheek greeting. Vincenzo Pujia, Bulgari's Global Sales and Retail Executive Vice President, then approached to greet her in the same way. However, Wonyoung leaned back and turned her head, and the two did not exchange a greeting. The executive appeared to pause briefly.

The footage drew mixed reactions online. Some viewers suggested that Wonyoung had deliberately avoided the greeting, sparking criticism of her manners at an official event.

Wonyoung's decision to address the incident personally also drew attention, as she rarely responds directly to online criticism.

Wonyoung has served as a Bulgari brand ambassador since August 2025. Her group, IVE, released its latest EP, "Looks Can Kill," on Oct. 26.