The influx of idols debuting at surprisingly young ages has been a hot topic among K-Pop fans in the past years. With idols debuting at only 13 or 14 years old, it’s not surprising that many of them are still in middle school.
1. NewJeans’ Hyein
Aged 14 years old, Hyein is currently in the 3rd year of middle school, meaning the idol will graduate and join high school this year. NewJeans debuted on August 1 of last year with their lead single “Attention” and New Jeans mini-album.
Before Newjeans, Hyein was part of another group, Kids Planet‘s first kids’ group U.SSO Girl. The group debuted on December 16, 2020, with Hyein aged 12 years old at the time.
2. BABYMONSTER’s Rora
Even though BABYMONSTER hasn’t had its official debut yet, the members have been revealed one by one through YG Entertainment‘s introductory videos on YouTube. They have garnered a lot of attention, with fans eager to see what the group’s official debut will be like.
BABYMONSTER’s vocalist, Rora, is attending her 3rd year at Hupyeong Middle School. She was born in 2008 and was part of Kids Planet’s U.SSO Girl together with NewJeans’ Hyein.
3. BABYMONSTER’s Chiquita
Similar to her bandmate, Chiquita, is currently in her 2nd year. She was born in 2009, which makes the Thai idol the youngest in BABYMONSTER at 13 years old.
Before joining YG Entertainment, Chiquita was part of a cover group called Red Rose. She showed incredible dancing skills during the group’s covers, impressing fans and non-fans alike.
4. Lapillus’ Haeun
Haeun is attending her 3rd year at Eonbuk Middle School. She was born on November 2, 2008 — which makes the young star 14 years old. Haeun is the youngest in Lapillus, thus she has earned the nickname “Maknae on Top.”
When Lapillus had its official debut, on June 20, 2022, Haeun was the youngest active female idol in the industry.
5. tripleS’s Yeonji
Yeonji is also in her 3rd year, but she attends Chowol Middle School. The tripleS star was born on January 8th, 2008.
Recently turned 15 years old, Yeonji was only 14 when the group debuted on October 28 of last year. The young idol shared that she has been learning how to play the piano since she was seven years old.
오늘은 연지 브이로그 Today’s YeonJi’s VLOG
tripleS 트리플에스 : SIGNAL PICKEDhttps://t.co/s65q1GUYxl#tripleS #트리플에스 #トリプルS pic.twitter.com/5ZymhYZgrS— tripleS official (@triplescosmos) January 27, 2023
6. CLASS:y’s Boeun
Boeun is going through her 3rd year as a middle schooler, at Cheongdam Middle School. She was born on February 11, 2008.
Before debuting in CLASS:y, Boeun was part of My Teenage Girl. She was the oldest member of the first grade on the show. The CLASS:y star is often compared to Jennie, as many fans say she looks a lot like the BLACKPINK member — they even gave her the nickname “Little Jennie.”
7. CLASS:y’s Seonyou
Seonyou is in the same year and school as her bandmate, Boeun. Born on March 20, 2008, she was the youngest active female idol when CLASS:y had their official debut.
Like Boeun, Soenyou was also part of My Teenage girl. The idol was considered one of the aces of her grade in the show, displaying incredible dancing skills. Seonyou also has a YouTube channel where she has uploaded several dance covers.
