If you've followed the K-Pop scene for a while, then you know that many idols debut at a very young age. Some debut as young as 14 or 15 years old. Though the normal debut age is around 17 to 20 years old.
These days, it is starting to become more common to debut at a later age, many idols have debuted when they were in their early to mid-20s. There isn't a set criterion for their age, so let's explore an updated version of girl idols' age at the time of their debuts!
1. HyunA
HyunA is best known for her position as the main dancer and the main rapper of the, now disbanded, girl group 4Minute. However, she had already debuted before 4minute was formed. HyunA first debuted with the Wonder Girls, then left to debut with 4minute.
2007 debut with the Wonder Girls
14
2009 debut with 4Minute
17
2. STAYC
It hasn't been long since STAYC's debut, but they already have multiple hit songs under their belts.
2020 debut
SuMin - 20
SiEun - 20
Isa - 19
SeEun - 18
Yoon - 17
J - 17
STAYC girls, it's going down!
3. Dreamcatcher
Many of the members had debuted in a previous girl group, MINX, before their debut with Dreamcatcher. MINX wasn't able to find much popularity and unfortunately disbanded only 2 years after their debut. However, thanks to this we were blessed with Dreamcatcher!
2017 debut
JiU - 24
SuA - 24
SiYeon - 23
HanDong - 22
YooHyeon - 21
DaMi - 21
GaHyeon - 19
4. LOONA
LOONA is a very special and unique group. Not only do they have 12 members, making them one of the biggest girl groups, they also have 3 sub-units. LOONA 1/3, LOONA Odd Eye Circle, and LOONA yyxy. Say hi, hi, hi, hi to LOONA!
LOONA Twitter
2018 debut
HaSeul - 22
Vivi - 23
Yves - 22
JinSoul - 22
Kim Lip - 20
Chuu - 20
HeeJin - 19
HyunJin - 19
Go Won - 19
Choerry - 18
Olivia Hye - 18
YeoJin - 17
5. Fromis_9
Fromis_9 are another special group since they were created through a survival show called "Idol School". Although unlike other programs like "Produce 101" where the groups that formed were temporary, Fromis_9 is a permanent group! They'll be around for a long time to keep making music for Flover!
Fromis_9 Twitter
2018 debut
SaeRom - 22
HaYoung - 22
GyuRi - 22
JiWon - 21
JiSun - 21
SeoYeon - 19
ChaeYoung - 19
NaGyung - 19
JiHeon - 16
6. (G)I-DLE
(G)I-DLE are definitely one of the most popular girl groups in the fourth generation of K-Pop. Additionally, many of the members are individually popular as well, with SoYeon having been on "Produce 101" and MiYeon being an ex-YG trainee.
UNIVERSE Official Instagram
2018 debut
SoYeon - 21
MiYeon - 22
Minnie - 22
YuQi - 20
ShuHua - 19
7. ITZY
ITZY are JYP's newest Korean girl group. They've been making waves in the Korean entertainment industry since their debut with their visuals, their vocals, and their dance moves. Like the infamous "shoulder dance" from 'WANNABE'. ~I wanna be me, me, me.~
ITZY Twitter
2019 debut
YeJi - 20
Lia - 20
RyuJin - 19
ChaeRyeong - 19
YuNa - 17
8. aespa
aespa are SM entertainment's newest girl group. Their debut was very recently but they are already making a large impact on the industry!
aespa Twitter
2020 debut
Karina - 21
Giselle - 21
Winter - 20
NingNing - 19
9. EVERGLOW
EVERGLOW is yet another girl group that got very popular in a short amount of time. Like other girl groups in this list, certain members of EVERGLOW were on survival shows before their debut. SiHyeon and Yiren were on "Produce 101", and Onda was on "Idol School".
THE SHOW Twitter
2019 debut
SiHyeon - 21
E:U - 22
Mia - 20
Onda - 20
Aisha - 20
Yiren - 20
10. Weeekly
Weeekly found almost overnight popularity thanks to their hit singer "After School", which everyone on the internet went crazy for. Including us...
Weeekly Twitter
2020 debut
SooJin - 20
JiYoon - 19
Monday - 19
SoEun - 19
JaeHee - 17
JiHan - 17
Zoa - 16
This list definitely shows that there is no set debut age in K-Pop, it all depends on skill level and the company's situation. Obviously being younger when debuting leaves the opportunity to have a long career, but it doesn't mean anyone who's a little older can't make it! It just goes to show that you should never give up on your dream because you never know when a new door could open!
Did you know the age of all these idols? Was there someone you wished you could have seen on this list?
Let us know in the comments!
