Netizens Praise SM Rookies’ Shohei As He Gets Honest About The Hate He Received For Being “Too Old” To Debut
SM Rookies‘ Shohei has been the target of hate comments for his age in the past, and with his debut drawing closer, he is sharing his honest feelings on the subject.
When the three SM Rookies, Shohei, Eunseok and Seunghan, were revealed in 2022, the Internet was immediately rife with theories as to what group they’d be debuting in. Since then, it’s become clear that they will debut in NCT along with NCT’s Sungchan and Shotaro, most likely as members of the group’s new unit NCT Tokyo, though nothing has yet been confirmed.
When the SM Rookies were first revealed, Shohei was suddenly faced with intense negativity about his age (and his alleged past job). Netizens had discovered that he was born in 1996, making him 25 or 26 years old at the time, and proceeded to criticize him heavily for being “too old.” Fortunately, he also gained plenty of support as fans pointed out the toxic age standards of the K-Pop industry.
Why are ppl being so weird about Shohei being 25/26. oh no a full grown adult with a fully developed brain is debuting instead of a 14 year old who had to drop out of middle school. Do you see how you sound? pic.twitter.com/i4FGYyMjz6
— ExTeenageRobot Redux (@girllwithluv) July 3, 2022
In fact, many came to hope that Shohei will herald the end of the controversial practice of debuting children as idols.
In the final episode of the NCT reality show, welcome to NCT Universe, the SM Rookies were announced as ready for their upcoming debut.
SMROOKIES Seunghan, Shohei and Eunseok are going to debut this year!! Please support them everyone. They are so talented 💗#NCTUniverseFinale#성쇼루키즈_데뷔_임박 pic.twitter.com/BNG5S2DpId
— daily seunghan (@seunghan_daily) January 24, 2023
In the same episode, however, Shohei got honest about the immense pressure he’s felt about his age, leaving many fans equal parts touched and angry. He admitted to having worried a lot about the issue over the last 4 years…
…especially since there were many, many detractors.
Understandably, he often tried simply not to think about it.
Thankfully, however, he is now coming to terms with his age. He has realized that regardless of his age, he has put in the work and is that much better for it.
Fans were once again upset that he got so much undeserved hate simply for being older…
mind you he was introduced at 25, the hate he received is just baffling to me considering that's literally an appropriate age to start working pic.twitter.com/9zQD8s4gTn
— esm (@eunseokmedia) January 24, 2023
…especially when the average debut age keeps getting dangerously younger.
Fans are definitely proud of Shohei and what he represents, and we can’t wait to see his debut!
“i may be older but i’m that much better” LET THEM KNOW SHOHEI!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/nJlpSZVU2L
— 쇼닝! (@yizeuns) January 24, 2023
@ eunseokmedia
I can only say that i'm proud of him pic.twitter.com/wZqc9eGr2E
— SHOHEI PICS (@shoheipicsss) January 24, 2023
Read further about netizens’ debate on Shohei’s age right here.
The Controversial Aspect Of The K-Pop Industry That Fans Hope SM Rookies’ Shohei Will Change
