The Love Your W breast cancer awareness ceremony, organized by "W Korea" annually, has come under controversy after news broke that actress Park Bo Young was not allowed to access the red carpet and photowall at the 2024 event because of a wardrobe malfunction with sponsor stockings.
The "Love Your W Party" has long been famous for bringing together star power and philanthropy to raise breast cancer awareness. This time, though, this year's renewed scandal overshadowed the campaign as critics labeled organizers as more concerned with fashion than with the cause of the event.
Dispatch says that the 2024 edition had everyone dressing in full attire provided by a sponsor brand name only referred to as "V." The attire consisted of dresses, accessories, and stockings.
One of the staff members was quoted by Dispatch, stating, "Celebrities were expected to wear every item from the sponsor brand, including the stockings. It was part of the official styling agreement."
Accounts said that Park Bo Young could not fit into the stockings that were offered and opted to go bare-legged to the event. Consequently, "W Korea" staff members are said to have barred her from posing on the photowall, citing that "full-body shots weren't allowed without the full outfit."
As per Koreabo, only cropped upper-body images of the actress were subsequently posted on the magazine's official platform, denying her a single feature. Her complete appearance was subsequently shown only when actor Park Hyung Sik posted a photo with her on social media, affirming her presence at the event.
The issue went viral again when the 2023 "Love Your W Party" went viral again, and netizens and some critics were furious again for apparently forgetting the altruistic objective of the event.
A Koreabo commentary remarked,
"Many pointed out that the breast cancer awareness event seemed more like a luxury fashion gathering than a cause-driven campaign."
Up to now, "W Korea" has not made an official comment on the issue. The scandal reopened public debate on superficial criteria, brand power, and misplaced priorities in celebrity-oriented charity events.
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