LOVE YOUR W 2025, which promoted a breast cancer awareness campaign, saw its purpose diminished. But even within it, there were stars who raised their voices, studied, and attended to improve breast cancer awareness. They were ILLIT's Wonhee and IVE's Leida.
On the 15th, at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul in Dangju-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, W Korea held its 20th breast cancer awareness campaign charity photo event.
The event was attended by Ko Hyun-jung, Gong Myoung, Gray, Kim Min-ha, Kim Se-jeong, Kim Young-kwang, Kim Young-dae, Kim Ji-seok, No Sang-hyun, No Jeong-eui, Dex, Monsta X's Shownu and Hyungwon, Moon So-ri, Barming Tiger, Park Gyu-young, Park Eun-bin, Park Jae-beom, Byeon Wooseok, Suhyun, Woo Won-jae, Won Ji-an, Lee Dong-hwi, Lee Min-ho, Lee Soo-ji, Lee Soo-hyuk, Lee Yu-mi, Lee Jun-hyuk, Lee Chae-min, Lim Su-jeong, Lim Ji-yeon, Jang Yoon-joo, Jeon So-ni, Jeon So-mi, Jeon Yeo-bin, Jung Ryeo-won, Jung Haein, Jo Yuri, Choo Young-Woo, Code Kunst, Krystal, Taeyang, Ha Jung-woo, Hwasa, Hyoyeon and many popular idol members.
The slogan "breast cancer awareness," which had been used for 20 years, was nowhere to be found at the event. Photos and videos released on the organizer's official social media account after the event mainly showed numerous celebrities and influencers dressed in glamorous gowns and luxury goods, clinking glasses and enjoying a party. Park Jae-beom performed the song "Body," which contains many explicit descriptions of the female body, and the organizers posed challenges and questions unrelated to breast cancer to the attending stars, even tagging unrelated posts with the hashtag "breast cancer."
As criticism poured in that the event had forgotten its essence, the organizers' response added fuel to the controversy. While the organizers have not issued a statement about the event and have quietly deleted the controversial posts, some netizens criticized the attending stars and sponsoring brands, and there are criticisms that the core issue is being obscured.
Among them, there were stars who sympathized with the event's purpose and worked to raise awareness, drawing attention. Notable attendees were IVE's Leida, ILLIT's Wonhee, and Park Eun-bin.
IVE's Leida recently said on a live broadcast with fans, "Although it was a different pain, people who receive treatment are all the same, so because I was once in pain, I wanted awareness to be better. I studied before attending the event," and ILLIT's Wonhee, after performing a congratulatory stage, said, "Start with screening and don't miss even the smallest sign," reminding people of the need for breast cancer prevention.
Park Eun-bin was reported not to have attended the party after the event. In a live broadcast after attending, she said, "I heard the breast cancer awareness campaign event is held every year, and I attended this meaningful event, saw good things and am heading home."
Meanwhile, a representative of the organizers left only a brief remark to OSEN saying, "We cannot provide an answer," regarding the related controversy.
[OSEN]