A paper crane, a gift of care, Burned in flames, sparking worldwide stare, IVE’s teaser fuels debate everywhere.Instagram @ivestarship
The popular girl group IVE has once again captured public attention, not just for their upcoming comeback, but also for the controversy surrounding the teaser video of their latest album, Secret, Cupid, released on August 8, 2025. The video quickly sparked heated discussions in Japan, with some critics claiming it expressed anti-Japanese sentiment.
Japanese media outlets, including Women’s Self, reported on August 12 that certain netizens were offended by specific scenes in the teaser. One of the most debated points was the release date, coinciding just a day before the anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. Tensions increased when fans noticed that Rei, the only Japanese member of IVE, wore a shirt reading “I’m Sorry.”
For some Japanese viewers, these details appeared symbolic, seemingly implying Japan as a past aggressor in World War II. The controversy intensified due to a scene showing paper cranes being burned—a gesture historically regarded as a symbol of peace in Japan. This scene was interpreted by some as an anti-Japanese statement.
The video’s director, OUI from the creative team New Year, clarified on social media that the burning of paper cranes was purely part of a visual concept depicting a mischievous Cupid interfering with lovers’ relationships and had no political meaning:
“It’s just a visual metaphor to support the narrative. There’s no other meaning. Peace.”
Meanwhile, Starship Entertainment, IVE’s agency, has yet to release an official statement, despite multiple media inquiries. Regardless, public anticipation for IVE’s comeback remains high. The six-member group is scheduled to release their fourth mini-album, IVE SECRET, on August 25, with the lead single “XOXZ.”
Public Reactions: Mixed Comments and Opinions
The controversy sparked extensive discussion on social media and video platforms. Some posts became focal points, such as this post which states:
“The day before yesterday, when I bought a bento at a shop in Nagasaki Airport, I received this small paper crane. I asked, ‘Really? You’re giving it to me?’ and the girl at the register smiled and said, ‘I made it myself.’ Paper cranes hold especially deep meaning for Japanese people. To see them being burned—surely they must have known what kind of reaction this would provoke, right? This K-pop group #IVE”
The comments that followed were highly mixed:
Some viewers criticized the teaser as anti-Japanese:
“Paper cranes are a symbol of longevity and peace, not just in Japan but worldwide. Burning them is like trampling on people’s wishes—it’s an act of terror‼️”
“For Japanese people, paper cranes carry wishes for long life, good fortune✨, and peace🕊️. Burning them is nothing short of a provocation🔥.”
“Also, the Japanese member’s shirt said ‘I’m sorry’… is it a coincidence, or does it carry a message? 😮💨😮💨”
“K-pop tends to look down on Japan. Appearing on Billboard seems like a huge honor for them, while J-pop hasn’t even reached that level in the past, as shown in some old footage.”
“From Yahoo comments: maybe this controversy exists because management is acting anti-Japanese. I feel like the Japanese member is being used, for better or worse.”
“And to release it on the day of Hiroshima’s atomic bombing… previously, they also used derogatory words toward Japanese people. Can Japanese fans really support this group?”
Others defended IVE, emphasizing alternative interpretations of the paper cranes:
“Even we Japanese burn paper cranes normally. Don’t overreact just because it’s Korean.”
“Decades ago, in my elementary school, the thousand cranes we made for the atomic bombing memorial were burned in an incinerator and replaced with new ones each year. I prefer burning them rather than disposal.”
“In Korea, the meaning of cranes is mostly about love. Taking surface-level misinformation seriously shows that some people aren’t cut out for social media.”
“IVE may have their own interpretation of cranes, and burning them as part of the message is their choice. Japanese fans quitting over it is their choice too. Forcing values on others is wrong.”
“Paper cranes may be meaningful to Japanese people, but personally, I don’t feel anything special. Watching the PV, I didn’t sense any malice. They likely didn’t create it with ill intent. I don’t follow K-pop or this group anyway.”
This case illustrates how cultural symbols can carry different meanings across countries. While paper cranes are widely regarded as symbols of peace in Japan, they also signify love in Korea. Similarly, the phrase “I’m Sorry” on the Japanese member’s shirt can be interpreted as a purely artistic element rather than a political statement.
The controversy highlights the importance of understanding creative context while remaining sensitive to historical and cultural backgrounds. As IVE SECRET approaches its release date, global audiences continue to focus not only on IVE’s music and visuals but also on how cultural symbols can spark international discussion and debate.
Source: Daum, Chosun
Let’s focus on the fire production, not the drama. IVE siempre bringing the heat!
Can’t we just enjoy the music? Fighting Rei! 
The most important thing is to understand the context.