IVE’s performance at the 2025 Lollapalooza Berlin music festival is making major waves online—not just for the group’s electrifying presence, but for a surprising vocal twist from one of its most talked-about members, Wonyoung.
The six-member girl group lit up the Berlin stage on July 12 (KST) with a powerful 55-minute set that showcased their growing international appeal and polished performance style.
Fans and concertgoers praised the group for their stable live vocals, engaging choreography, and polished synchronization, making it one of the standout K-pop acts at this year’s global festival.
But amidst the praise for the group as a whole, one member in particular stood out—Jang Wonyoung, who has often been at the center of both praise and scrutiny throughout her idol career.
This time, however, it was her vocals—not visuals or stage presence—that took center stage.
A New Vocal Color Surfaces
Wonyoung’s live vocals became a hot topic after clips from the performance began circulating online.
In contrast to the higher-pitched, brighter vocal tone she typically uses in studio recordings and performances, Wonyoung stunned many listeners by delivering lines in a richer, deeper vocal register.
Fans who were used to her speaking voice being lower than her singing voice found this live delivery refreshing—and even a bit shocking. As one fan wrote,
“This is like genuinely breaking my brain omg Wonyoung, I was not familiar with your game?????”
Clips labeled “Wonyoung’s deep voice at Ivepalooza” quickly went viral on X (formerly Twitter), gaining thousands of retweets and likes.
A fan-made compilation featured a string of moments during the Lollapalooza performance where Wonyoung’s natural tone came through, revealing a soulful and mature sound that stood out clearly in the live mix.
“Her deep voice in live stages is always more stable than the original version of their songs,” one tweet noted. “It makes her vocals sound more mature and sexy.”
Another fan echoed this sentiment:
“I’m not even an IVE stan, but why doesn’t Starship let these girls sing in a range that suits them? Her deeper vocal tone is so pleasing to the ear.”
A Growing Demand for Vocal Freedom
The sudden popularity of Wonyoung’s Lollapalooza performance has reignited ongoing discussions among K-pop fans regarding vocal direction and management—especially for idols who debut at a young age and whose vocal tone may shift or evolve over time.
Many fans voiced frustration that Wonyoung’s unique vocal color is often masked or replaced with a more “idol-standard” tone that may not highlight her strengths.
“Starship, please let Wonyoung use her deep voice,” pleaded one fan on social media, tagging the company in hopes of drawing attention to the public’s growing appreciation of her raw, live tone.
Interestingly, fans have long suspected that Wonyoung’s natural vocal tone differs from what she’s typically instructed to sing with.
Her speaking voice is known to be on the lower side, and in casual settings or live streams, she has occasionally let her deeper tone slip through—leading some to believe that her “idol voice” may be more of a company-imposed style than her own preference.
Mixed Reactions, But Overwhelming Curiosity
While the majority of online responses were positive—praising Wonyoung for her unexpectedly rich live delivery—some expressed surprise at the difference between her usual tone and what they heard at the concert.
Still, even those surprised by the shift couldn’t help but be intrigued. Comments liken
“This is breaking my K-pop matrix” andnn“She sounds like a completely different person—in a good way” reflected the general awe many felt while listening.
Others hoped this moment would mark a turning point in how Wonyoung is vocally positioned in future IVE releases.
“If this is how she sounds naturally, I need a solo track where she just leans into it,” one fan wrote.
The viral discussion may also push Starship Entertainment to reconsider how they arrange vocal lines for Wonyoung in future comebacks—especially given the potential buzz that showcasing her deeper range could create.
A Step Toward Artistic Maturity?
Wonyoung, who debuted at age 14 through Produce 48 and later re-debuted with IVE in 2021, has often been defined by her visuals and stage charisma.
But with this Lollapalooza performance, she may have taken a meaningful step toward establishing herself as a vocally capable and artistically versatile performer.
As K-pop idols grow older and evolve, fans are increasingly calling for authenticity and individuality in how members sing, dress, and perform.
Wonyoung’s deeper vocal moment may just be a glimpse of what’s possible when idols are given the space to express themselves naturally—and the overwhelming fan response shows there’s a real appetite for it.
Whether this performance leads to a permanent shift in Wonyoung’s musical identity remains to be seen.
But for now, fans are celebrating a rare and welcome moment of vocal freedom, and hoping there’s much more to come.
