The group IVE (Ahn Yujin, Kaul, Rei, Jang Wonyoung, Liz, Lee Seo) was unexpectedly embroiled in a 'anti-Japanese sentiment' controversy just a day before Liberation Day. The excessive interpretations by Japanese internet users and anti-Korean YouTubers regarding the trailer revealed ahead of the release of their fourth mini-album were an absurd manifestation of this 'anti-Japanese sentiment.'
On August 14, 2025, a day before the 80th anniversary of liberation, the K-pop trendsetting group IVE was caught up in unexpected allegations of anti-Japanese sentiment.
The controversy began with the trailer released by IVE on the 8th. As they are currently in promotional activities for their comeback ahead of the release of their fourth mini-album, 'IVE SECRET,' on the 25th, they unveiled the trailer through their official YouTube channel on the 8th.
The unveiled trailer boldly turned upside down the existing bright and lovely Cupid image and was produced with IVE's own refined interpretation in the 'Evil Cupid' concept. In the video, IVE appeared as six distinct Cupids, each with a different secret, capturing attention. The scenes, featuring a cool atmosphere where they dropped tumblers and took finger crosses or pulled out a hidden revolver from the 'Cupid's Guidebook,' continued throughout the video, revealing the secretive side of Cupid symbolically, creating a peculiar tension.
In the middle of the video, Ahn Yujin appeared and changed the atmosphere. While watching a couple's quarrel through CCTV, she checked the alert from a machine requesting a quick response and then took action. Other members also demonstrated behaviors contrary to the pure Cupid image, such as aiming with the revolver at a unicorn or burning paper cranes, revealing the aspects of the 'Evil Cupid.'
Towards the end of the video, IVE appeared in outfits with a black concept, emerging from the darkness. They appeared after leaving behind the gazes of numerous glowing goats in the dark and disappeared with giant black wings, creating a cool and intense atmosphere never seen before, raising anticipation for their comeback.
While global fans were excited and looking forward to IVE's concept with a new interpretation, in Japan, the date of the video release was the day before the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki, and suspicions arose that member Rei wearing a shirt that read 'I'm Sorry,' the appearance of paper cranes symbolizing peace in Japan, and their burning suggested an expression of anti-Japanese sentiment.
Anti-Korean YouTubers jumped in with this. Some anti-Korean YouTubers claimed that 'paper cranes are particularly significant to Japanese people, and foreigners know this, so there is no way they wouldn't understand the meaning,' and 'there is no consideration,' asserting that IVE displayed anti-Japanese sentiment through the trailer. In response, Korean internet users intervened. Korean internet users countered the claims of the anti-Korean YouTubers by stating, 'In Korea, paper cranes symbolize love,' and 'the shirt worn by Japanese member Rei is just the brand name.'
Amidst this, the director from New Year, who was in charge of the video production, also conveyed their stance. In a message on their social media account, the director stated, 'It was necessary to burn the paper crane, the intermediary of love, to express the 'Evil Cupid' concept that disrupts lovers' love. There is no other meaning.'
The unnecessary controversy over anti-Japanese sentiment arose due to the date of the video release, the wording on the clothes, and the meanings of paper cranes in Korea and Japan, creating disappointment. Especially since it was a day before the 80th anniversary of liberation, the disappointment was profound, but the quick clarification by the video director helped prevent misunderstandings, suspicions, and controversies from spreading unnecessarily.
Meanwhile, IVE will release their fourth mini-album 'IVE SECRET' along with the title track 'XOXZ' on the 25th and will begin full-fledged comeback activities.
[OSEN]