This 7-Year-Old Idol Has K-Pop Fans Discussing Whether Children Should Be Allowed To Debut
It’s normal for idols to begin their training at a very young age, but how young is too young when it comes to debuting?
The rookie group RE:KIDS GLORY debuted on July 30, 2021 with their song “Don’t Forget.” The group consists of 5 members: Noah, Taehyeong, Jiwoo, Yeonje, and Jinwoo. Their estimated ages range from 10 to 7 years old. According to a fanmade profile online, the members’ social media accounts are run by their parents.
RE:KIDS GLORY is under Retune Music, and they are not the only kid group under the label. They are part of the RE:KIDS name which includes other groups like RE:KIDS DREAM and RE:KIDS BLOOM.
Their YouTube channel shows the children covering popular Korean songs, dorm and studio vlogs, as well as official music videos.
K-Pop fans online are apprehensive regarding the situation. Though it is common for idols to begin training and even debut at a young age, many comments on their music video say this is far too young for any child to enter the idol industry.
“They sing really well for their age, and no doubt they are talented. But isn’t this too young for them to debut?”
“They will have to go through all the struggles of being a kpop idol And to think this will be their childhood.”
“They’re adorable but this industry is so f*cked up, let them be kids please.”
Child actors and musicians have been around for as long as the entertainment industry itself, but many K-Pop fans believe it’s time that the practice change.
NO WTF A 7 YEAR OLD ?? this is getting out of hand… pic.twitter.com/OYWwdzxggc
— sunmi’s gf (@jieunsluvr) August 8, 2021
the way his mom runs his Instagram account is so…maybe a person doesn’t need to be an idol if they’re so young their parent has to run their instagram acc
— ✿ kayla ♡̶ future baal haver 🤓 (@choeriesjubiles) August 9, 2021
You know what? I would forbid minors from debuting. And yes I Know many idols debute before the age of 18 but I truly think it’s bad for their mental health and even 18 is early if you ask me but since you are legally adult than they can decide for themselves
— mochi🍀🍡 (@Ana_AB11) August 9, 2021
14 is the absolute youngest an idol should be able to debut. Even then it’s ruining their childhood. But 7?!?!?! That kid will never ever experience normality
— Kylie(Felix freckle stan) (@BangChanniebbg) August 9, 2021