There has been quite a bit of controversy lately over the young ages that K-Pop idols are debuting at, and it’s understandable why. However, this isn’t something that has only just begun in the K-Pop industry — idols have been debuting at young ages for quite some time! Here’s a look at the 28 youngest K-Pop idols that have ever debuted, from oldest to youngest, to show this ongoing trend.

28. Ni-ki (ENHYPEN)

Ni-ki was born on December 9, 2005 and debuted on November 30, 2020, making him 14 years, 11 months, and 22 days old when he debuted.

27. Jongseob (P1Harmony)

Jongseob was born on November 19, 2005 and debuted on October 28, 2020, making him 14 years, 11 months, and 10 days old when he debuted.

26. Elisia (UNIS)

UNIS’s Elisia was born on April 18, 2009, and debuted on March 27, 2024, at 14 years, 11 months, and 9 days old.

25. Krystal (f(x))

Krystal was born on October 24, 1994 and debuted on September 5, 2009, making her 14 years, 10 months, and 8 days old when she debuted.

24. Taemin (SHINee)

Taemin was born on July 18, 1993 and debuted on May 25, 2008, making him 14 years, 10 months, and 4 days old when he debuted.

23. Sohyun (former 4MINUTE)

Sohyun was born on August 30, 1994 and debuted on June 15, 2009, making her 14 years, 9 months, and 16 days old when she debuted.

22. Leeseo (IVE)

Leeseo was born on February 21, 2007 and debuted on December 1, 2021, making her 14 years, 9 months, and 11 days old when she debuted.

21. Jiheon (fromis_9)

Jiheon was born on April 17, 2003 and debuted on January 24, 2018, making her 14 years, 9 months, and 7 days old when she debuted.

20. HyunA

HyunA was born on June 6, 1992 and debuted with Wonder Girls on February 10, 2007, making her 14 years, 8 months, and 7 days old when she debuted.

19. Sohee (formerly of Wonder Girls)

Sohee was born on June 27, 1992 and debuted on February 10, 2007, making her 14 years, 7 months, and 17 days old when she debuted.

18. Jian (formerly of LIGHTSUM)

Jian was born on November 4, 2006 and debuted on June 10, 2021, making her 14 years, 7 months, and 7 days old when she debuted.

17. Gyurae (Fantasy Boys)

Fantasy Boys’ Gyurae was born on February 28, 2009, and debuted on September 21, 2023, at 14 years, 6 months, and 24 days old.

16. Jisung (NCT DREAM)

Jisung was born on February 5, 2002 and debuted on August 25, 2016, making him 14 years, 6 months, and 20 days old when he debuted.

15. Hyounjoon (The Wind)

The Wind’s Jang Hyounjoon was born on October 25, 2008, and debuted on May 15, 2023, at 14 years, 6 months, and 18 days old.

14. Phoenix (EASTSHINE)

EASTSHINE’s Phoenix was born on May 22, 2009, and debuted November 16, 2023, at 14 yeras, 6 months, and 7 days old.

13. Jiyoung (KARA)

Jiyoung was born on January 18, 1994 and debuted on July 24, 2008, making her 14 years, 6 months, and 6 days old when she debuted.

12. Kaedan (Fantasy Boys)

Fantasy Boys’ Kaedan was born on March 14, 2009, and debuted on September 21, 2023, at 14 years, 5 months, and 28 days old.

11. Yoona (UNIS)

UNIS’s Yoona was born on October 7, 2009, and debuted on March 27, 2024, at 14 years, 5 months, and 20 days old.

10. Dahyun (Rocket Punch)

Dahyun was born on April 29, 2005 and debuted on August 7, 2019, making her 14 years, 3 months, and 10 days old when she debuted.

9. Boeun (CLASS:y)

Boeun was born on February 11, 2008 and debuted on May 5, 2022, making her 14 years, 2 months, and 25 days old when she debuted.

8. May (formerly of Cherry Bullet)

May was born on November 16, 2004 and debuted on January 21, 2019, making her 14 years, 2 months, and 6 days old when she debuted.

7. Wonyoung (IVE)

Wonyoung was born on August 31, 2004 and debuted with IZ*ONE on October 29, 2018, making her 14 years, 1 month, and 29 days old when she debuted.

6. Seonyou (CLASS:y)

Seonyou was born on March 20, 2008 and debuted on May 5, 2022, making her 14 years, 1 month, and 16 days old when she debuted.

5. Jieun (YOUNG POSSE)

YOUNG POSSE’s Jieun was born on November 5, 2009, and debuted on October 18, 2023, at 13 years, 11 months, and 13 days old.

4. Marcus (HORI7ON)

HORI7ON’s Marcus was born on August 31, 2009, and debuted on July 24, 2023, at 13 years, 10 months, and 24 days old.

3. BoA

BoA was born on November 5, 1986 and debuted on August 25, 2000, making her 13 years, 9 months, and 20 days old when she debuted.

2. Haeun (Lapillus)

Lapillus’s Haeun was born on November 2, 2008, and debuted on June 20, 2022, at 13 years, 7 months, and 18 days old.

1. Seowon (UNIS)

UNIS’s Seowon was born on January 27, 2011, and debuted on March 27, 2024, at 13 years, 2 months old.