Every once in a while, K-pop idol trainees go viral among fans. Many have been looking forward to seeing them debut, while others have expressed concerns about their well-being, particularly regarding the trainee’s age. It’s a well-known fact that entertainment companies recruit and train teenagers to make them the next big thing in K-pop.
However, not everyone supports the idea of debuting minors in such a demanding industry. Starship Entertainment has been gearing up to introduce their new girl group KiiiKiii, but the agency has faced some criticism after the group’s youngest member was revealed.
Earlier this week, through the @/KiiiKiiipics account on Twitter, photos of KiiiKiii’s youngest member, Jiyu (지유), were revealed. The images showed just how young the idol in training appears to be. According to Kpop Fandom, the trainee was born in 2010, making her 15 years old in Korean age and 14 in international age. The post drew a lot of attention from K-pop fans who expressed concerns about the trainee.
Many believe that Jiyu is too young to debut, given how challenging and competitive the K-pop music industry can be. Others criticised Starship Entertainment for recruiting and debuting a minor, even accusing the company of child labour. Fans were also concerned about the possible negative response Jiyu might receive from the public, as it could greatly affect her mental health due to her young age.
Those in Korea, on the other hand, argued that the photos might be old, taken when Jiyu was younger, suggesting that teenagers often look more mature in recent photos. Some suggest waiting for the official KiiiKiii teaser photos to confirm what she looks like now.
Regardless of the photos, there has always been a debate regarding idols debuting before they turn 18, as many believe they should at least finish school before working. What are your thoughts on this issue?
Sources: Twitter, Koreaboo, Kpop Fandom
