IVE's Jang Won-young removes mask and hat at airport amid security privilege controversy

Jang Won-young, a member of the girl group IVE, was spotted going through airport security without a mask, hat or sunglasses Tuesday, apparently seeking to put to rest a recent controversy over alleged preferential treatment during a security check.

According to entertainment industry sources Wednesday, Jang departed for Japan through Gimpo International Airport in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, on Tuesday.

She was the only member of the group who did not wear a hat or mask that day, and removed her sunglasses before passing through the security checkpoint.

Jang smiled throughout the identity verification process and handed her passport to a security officer with both hands. She also flashed a smile toward cameras as she entered the departure hall.

The controversy began when Jang passed through security at Gimpo Airport on May 30 ahead of a trip to Shanghai, China.

She was photographed wearing a hat and only slightly lowering her mask during the identity check, drawing criticism from some who said she had not followed proper procedures. Questions were raised about whether she had received special treatment as a celebrity, and complaints were filed with Korea Airports Corp.

Korea Airports Corp. responded by saying there had been no preferential treatment for the celebrity, adding that it applies the same standards to all passengers in accordance with its aviation security procedures and verbally instructs passengers at the scene to remove masks and hats.

On June 20, the airport operator added a notice to the domestic flight information section of its website, under the boarding gate identity verification and boarding pass inspection category, asking passengers to briefly remove masks, hats and sunglasses for identity confirmation.

Previously, the section had only stated that passengers must present their ID and boarding pass to a security officer at the departure gate entrance for identity verification.

Meanwhile, Jang posted a video on her social media account that she filmed aboard the flight Tuesday.

In the clip, she raised the window shade to take in the view outside and leaned close to the camera with a smile, appearing relaxed throughout the journey.