Jang Wonyoung Reveals Her Shocking First Encounter with Fame at Age 14—From News Anchor Dream to IVE Star
IVE member Jang Wonyoung recently opened up about her surprising debut story on the tvN variety show You Quiz on the Block(Episode 276), revealing that her original dream wasn’t to become a singer, but a news anchor!
On January 15th, Jang Wonyoung and An Yujin joined the show as guests and shared fun stories from their school days.
Jang Wonyoung, who was president of her student council, recalled working so hard that she would get nosebleeds from studying.
“I really liked being an officer,” she said. “I should have organized lunch times, but I was happy doing PR work and being in charge.”
When asked if she was popular back then, Jang Wonyoung humbly said, “I was just on TV in middle school, so people thought it was interesting and came to see me.” An Yujin joked, “I was a bit more popular,” which made everyone laugh.
But what really surprised fans was Jang Wonyoung’s admission that she never dreamed of being a singer.
“I always wrote ‘news anchor’ as my dream job,” she shared. “I wanted to be one, but then I was cast at my sister Jang Da Ah’s graduation when I was 14, and that changed everything.”
Jang Wonyoung went on to explain, “It felt like fate. The person who cast me disappeared just three days later. It was a young senior, and every time I saw them, I’d say ‘Thank you, unni,’ but after casting me, they just left. The entertainment world is all about connections.”
It turns out, that unexpected encounter at her sister's graduation set Jang Wonyoung on the path to stardom, leading her to become the shining star of IVE we know today!
BTS's Jin Breaks Records Again! Laneige Sees Biggest Sales Ever Thanks to His Star Power
BTS’s Jin, the global ambassador for Laneige, has once again proven his incredible influence by helping the brand achieve its highest-ever sales record.
Since expanding into the U.S. market in 2018, Amorepacific’s global beauty brand Laneige has experienced massive growth, largely fueled by the rising popularity of K-pop. However, Laneige hit a new milestone during the Black Friday & Cyber Monday (BFCM) event on Amazon U.S., recording an incredible 127% sales increase compared to last year. Many believe this success is due to Laneige’s decision to select Jin as its first-ever male global ambassador.
Laneige’s rapid expansion has also had a ripple effect on Amorepacific’s overall sales. For the first time, the company’s sales in the Americas have surpassed those in Greater China, highlighting Jin’s massive brand impact.
Laneige officially introduced Jin as its global ambassador on September 27, 2023, and his involvement led to an instant surge in product demand. His stunning campaign visuals received an overwhelming response, leading to numerous sold-out products and Laneige topping sales charts worldwide.
According to WWD Japan, Laneige saw an unexpected sales boom thanks to the "Jin effect." The brand manager of Amorepacific Japan’s Laneige division stated, "With BTS’s Jin joining as an ambassador, sales of 'Cream Skin' lotion have significantly increased. Campaign revenue has doubled from our initial expectations, leading to major brand awareness growth."
Laneige’s Cream Skin, which was heavily featured in Jin’s global campaign, became an absolute bestseller. It secured the No. 1 sales spot on Japan’s Qoo10 marketplace—not just in beauty, but across all product categories! This cemented Jin’s unstoppable global influence.
In South Korea, Laneige Cream Skin took over Olive Young’s sales rankings across all gender and age groups. It even sold out in offline stores due to overwhelming demand. The product also dominated the sales charts for seven consecutive days on Laneige’s official U.S. website, earning Jin yet another ‘Sold-Out King’ moment.
Internationally, the campaign’s success led to immediate sellouts in Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Singapore, while in Indonesia, it had to be restocked after being wiped out. A limited-edition mini photobook offered with Jin’s Laneige Cream Skin purchases instantly sold out on China’s top online marketplaces, Taobao and Tmall.
But Jin’s selling power doesn’t stop at beauty brands! In July 2023, he became the first global ambassador for FRED, a prestigious French high-jewelry house. As expected, luxury pieces, including a $100,000 necklace, sold out immediately after his campaign launched.
In August 2023, he was introduced as a global ambassador for Gucci, and his endorsement caused rapid sellouts in South Korea, the U.S., and Japan.
Jin’s ambassadorship for Alo Yoga also made waves, with WWD reporting that his announcement alone generated $3.6 million in media impact value within just 24 hours! His influence also extends into technology and tourism, as he’s partnered with Dolby and served as Seoul’s tourism ambassador.
His advertising power is undeniable even in the food industry. In 2022, Jin was selected as the model for Ottogi’s Jin Ramen, and the brand quickly saw its highest-ever ramen export sales. The food industry noted that Korea’s ramen exports experienced a huge boost following BTS’s Jin’s campaign, a trend similar to the worldwide ramen boom triggered by Parasite’s Oscar win in 2020.
From beauty to luxury fashion, tech, and even food, Jin continues to dominate industries worldwide, proving once again why he is a top-tier global superstar.