Why Is the Airport Mask Allowed for Everyone Else, But Not for Jang Won-young? Celebrity Double Standard [SC Issue]

[Sportschosun Baek Ji-eun] If the mask is allowed for ordinary travelers, why is it a problem only for Jang Won-young?

Jang Won-young of IVE has been caught up in an unexpected controversy over her attitude.

The reason was simple. On the 30th of last month, Jang visited Gimpo Airport to depart for Shanghai, China. When a security screening officer asked to verify her identity, she did not fully remove her hat and mask. Instead, she briefly lifted her hat and lowered her mask. Some also claimed that she handed her passport to the officer with one hand and had her arms crossed, but video from another angle shows that Jang handed over her passport with both hands and bowed after getting it back.

That shifted the focus to the hat and mask. One netizen even filed a complaint asking KAC to clearly explain the standards and official guidance for identity verification at Gimpo Airport. The complaint also suggested that Jang may have received special treatment because she is a celebrity.

In the end, KAC said on the 16th, "We will strengthen guidance on passenger identity verification procedures through various methods, including posting notices on our website."

But was Jang really at fault?

First, it is worth taking a closer look at KAC's statement. The corporation said, "At present, when verifying a passenger's identity, we verbally ask them to remove items that cover the face, such as hats, sunglasses, and masks. If staff have difficulty identifying the passenger by comparing the face with the ID photo during the verification process, they additionally ask the passenger to remove them completely." In other words, if identity can be sufficiently confirmed by comparing the ID photo, there may be no need to ask the passenger to fully remove a hat, mask, or sunglasses.

A KAC official also explained, "The procedure was carried out in accordance with the rules. Jang Won-young lowered her mask twice, and there was no need for her to completely remove her hat or mask. If the staff member can determine that the person matches the passport photo, that is sufficient."

The answer becomes clearer when looking at the actual video from the scene. A closer look at the footage shows an ordinary woman in the line next to Jang, who was also asked to verify her identity. She, too, did not remove her hat and only lowered her mask to show her face. The issue arose when the hat and mask worn by an ordinary traveler were projected onto Jang's face.

In the end, it was proven once again that Jang Won-young was not receiving celebrity privilege, but rather facing a celebrity double standard. Popularity and malicious comments may rise together, but it is regrettable that the attacks from online trolls have been especially harsh on Jang.

Baek Ji-eun, silk781220@sportschosun.com