"Wonyoungism" Explained: Empowering Aesthetic or Toxic Beauty Standard?
- Jon Lui
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
From study vlogs to extreme diet tips, "Wonyoungism" is taking over TikTok — but is this K-pop-inspired trend empowering or harmful? We explain!
Who is Jang Wonyoung?
Also known as Wonyoung, Jang Wonyoung is a South Korean singer with the highly successful K-pop group, IVE. She is known to have finished first in Mnet's girl group survival reality television program Produce 48 in 2018 and is a former member of Starship Entertainment's project girl group Iz*One.
Wongyoung has been the cover model of numerous fashion, beauty, and advertising products in South Korea and has been described as a representative figure within contemporary K-pop popular culture. She is ranked first (since January 2026) by the Korean Business Research Institute's monthly brand reputation rankings for girl group members as a commercially influential advertising figure.
What is "Wonyoungism"?
The term "Wonyoungism" is a lifestyle trend focused on self-care, discipline, and positivity inspired by IVE's Jang Wonyoung. Beginning in 2023, the trend exploded after a sound bite of Wonyoung saying "I Don't care—you are you, I am me" went viral, leading to the massive #Wonyoungism hashtag trending on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
The reel went viral in 2023 after showing Wonyoung's confident mindset, which encouraged fans to adopt a similar approach to life. By April 2024, the hashtag garnered 300,000 posts on TikTok with users emphasizing the "princess" mindset, productivity, and health, emulating the idol's work ethic and aesthetic.
Check out these fan videos promoting "Wonyoungism"!
The Controversy
Although initially spreading positive self-image and productivity, the trend was faced with criticism, with critics arguing it promotes unrealistic beauty standards, extreme perfectionism, and unhealthy habits like disordered eating. It has also been criticized for negatively linking these intense behaviors to the idol's image. Some discussions have also included that the trend is linked with pro-anorexia (an eating disorder) behaviors. This has been linked to a broader, often toxic online culture surrounding K-pop beauty standards.
Final Thoughts
The Dojeon Team knows that IVE's Wonyoung did not mean for "Wonyoungism" to actually cause harm to her fans. We know that what she said was a way to empower her fans to actively take control of their lives, self-image, and abilities to live life to their fullest in a positive way. However, some of the online community want to interpret "Wongyoungism" differently. What do you think? Is "Wonyoungism" a form of self-improvement—or does it reflect unrealistic idol expectations? Leave your comments below!