Jin's warning about K-pop idols debuting too young comes true & a company is suffering the consequence

March 27, 2025

Most people know that the career of a K-pop idol is short. Idols often can maintain their peak for a few years before being replaced by younger, more attractive idols. 

In particular, the earlier they debut, the more time and opportunity they have to succeed and prolong their work. Therefore, there are many idols who debut when they have not even completed their junior high school education.

This also leads to a situation where some talents in high school or 20-21 years old are considered too old to debut as idols nowadays. Although they are still very young in terms of society, companies believe that those who enter the industry at the age of 15-20 now have little chance of success.

A fan who fell into a similar situation shared this with Jin when she wrote: "Jin oppa, I auditioned a lot but nothing works out ㅠㅠㅠㅠ I was born in 2023, and they tell me that I'm late but what do you think oppa? Are they right??"

In response to this fan's story, Jin replied, "I got in at 20 years old but I think that kids these days do start too young." His warning has come true when fans look at the current K-pop situation.

His comment was viral again when an audition program featuring young contestants recently appeared. "UNDER 15," specifically aims to discover talented artists under the age of 15, with some contestants as young as 9 years old.

A previously released introductory video showed a teenage contestant performing in revealing outfits. Additionally, social media posts included profile images of the contestants along with a barcode-style design, leading to public criticism and concerns over the commodification of minors.

The show quickly faced intense backlash from the public, to the point of popularity being cancelled. Meanwhile, Co-production CEO Hwang Inyoung shed tears at the recent urgent production briefings saying, "The contestants are also deeply hurt by the distortions [in the intens of the show]. It's very heartbreaking. The show should not be cancelled. If it is, the emotional impact on the children and their parents will be significant."

However, the public reaction has not abated! They agree with Jin that it's too early for kids debut as idols.

As Jin mentioned before, there are many K-pop idols who debuted in their 20s and have maintained success to this day such as BTS, Red Velvet's Irene, and BigBang's G-Dragon. Age is not an issue for the third and fourth generation of K-pop idols.

Fans point out that the number of young, even underage, idols debuting has increased to the point where it has become a trend. As a result, many young idols have shown up in public with inappropriate behavior and ethics.

On the other hand, child idols are under too much pressure from the celebrity life, leading to physical and mental problems. Some children become victims of exploitation by their parents or management companies.

Before the show received outrage, some projects to debut young idols had also become controversial topics.

P Nation was criticized for the age of trainees in the upcoming boy group, including one member, Kiko, who  was born in 2009, making him only 12 years old on the show. Some contestants on the show "My Teenage Girl" were also only 10-12 years old. Most recently Universe Ticket announced the right members that will make up the group UNIS, and the group includes a 12-year-old member, Seowon, as well as two 14-year-old members.

Fans are discussing Jin's comment and the current situation:

დ Younger trainers does not equal better. It opens the doors to more exploitations, and abuse because a child isn't going to be able stand up for themselves.

დ I also do think that kids under 16-18 shouldn't be in training either seeing how gruesome and unhealthy some companies treat these kids. I mean, dieting, losing weight, skipping meals, excessive exertion during your early teens is bound to have derogative mental and physical impacts on the kids bodiew as well.

დ I think that it hinders their growth as human being since they don't know how to be their own self, rather than what the industry wants them to be, which is a trend that you can also see in child star.

დ Taemin's talked about a lot of things that he went through because he debuted too young. I'm glad Jin bringing this up because no matter how much fans oppose it, nothing's gonna change unless people in positions of power speak up too.

დ He's absolutely right! Most of them are being exploited and their parents support it in hoping fot money and success... This goes for all industries too.

დ That's one of the things I like about Japanese groups. How they are still relevant despite of age, talent, and experience. It's not normal to assume that one's career ends at 30, or being 18 is too old.

დ I have literally seen a member of boy group debuted at 13!! That's too young... Kid, get your education first! Education and being an idol will be such a headache for ya!!