Music / Idols
20110915_gahee

How old is “Too Old” in Kpop?

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Written by On September 15, 2011

In summer 2010, GP Basic‘s debut made netizens’ tongues wag and put on their judging caps. Their controversy surrounded their maknae, or youngest group member. Janey was only 12 when the group made their splash onto the Kpop scene with their single “Game”. Netizens, fans and the media all voiced their concerns. “Shouldn’t she be in elementary school, not wearing age-inappropriate costumes and prancing on stage?” “Doesn’t her parents know any better?! She’s lost her innocence!” It’s a fact that labels like to recruit idol prospects at a young age – the longer they’re trained, the better they’ll be come debut. As long as they possess some talent, drive and understand what they’re getting into, the age they start isn’t a problem. In fact, the average age for a prospective idol is between 14-19. Additionally, starting young means big potential for a long, prosperous contract.

Now, let’s look at the other side of the spectrum. Exactly how old is too old to be in the business? Lee Hyori, Park Kahi of After School, and Uhm Jung Hwa are all examples of currently active Kpop idols who happen to be over 30. All three have been in the business for over a decade and have several successful hits under their belts. Their beauty easily rival girls 10 years their junior. Most are unmarried and live a glamorous, yet busy lifestyle and seem to genuinely enjoy their work. They must – after all, they’ve stuck it out for this long.

Some people feel they might be reaching that hill and it’s their time to go over it. With so many idol groups debuting in 2011 alone, they feel it’s time to make that traditional adage true – “out with the old, in with the new”. It has nothing to do with their looks, talent, or potential to break out another chart topping hit. Longtime followers of Kpop know they still got it. The thumbs-downers are simply concerned with their age. The reasoning usually consist of the following:

  • Give the younger idols a chance to shine now – you’ve had your moment for years!
  • It’s time for fresh faces and a new direction for Kpop music.
  • Why not retire from the business, settle down and live happily ever after?
  • Isn’t it tradition for young Korean women to be married by their ages anyway?

Interestingly enough, these arguments don’t apply to idols who have been in the biz for as long as they have, but aren’t past 30. BoA debut at 14 and has been active for about 10 years now. She clearly meets the veteran status, yet because she’s of the average idol age currently, she’s still free to make music without being dubbed as overdone, overexposed or criticized to hell.

Thankfully, the condescending voice of nay-sayers to active artists past their 30s remain small as a whole. The grand majority aren’t put off by their age and in fact love that they’re still fierce competition among those much younger. There are fans who’ve followed Hyori since her days with Fin.KL, and are still her fans today. Growing up with your favorite stars usually grants the idol a fan for life.  I for one love all three of the aforementioned. I’ve also followed BoA since her debut and am liking what GP Basic has to offer so far.

What do you think? Do you feel the Kpop industry should only be populated with idols in their teens and 20s? Is 30+ “too old” to be singing and prancing on stage, even if the talent and looks are on point? If you were pushing 30 yourself, do you feel you have zero chance to break into the business solely because of your age?

(K-Bites)

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  • asianromance

    I think the ladies you have mentioned are great examples of why 30+ may not be too old.  Each of them has great stage presence and has distinguished herself from your average idol.   They don’t prance around like your average idol in her teens and twenties.  They strut.  They don’t even sing your average idol songs.  They’re solo artists or leaders.   However, 30+ can seem really old if the singer has decided to emulate the younger singers or if she’s not a very popular member of a group.

    • aravisalice

      I love that you pointed out the prancing vs the strutting- I can’t believe I never thought of what the difference between the two was before but your wording was spot on! Perfect visual! And I agree with you- if they can rock it with style and grace (or at least va-va-voom factor) for their age bracket then more power to them. It’s just when older stars pull the “mutton dressing like lamb” card that they start looking ridiculous.

  • Oh Ji’s Ho

    Bullet 1: Why fix something if it isn’t broken? Is the same being said of male idols of the same age? I doubt it. I’d be happy with idols debuting at later ages with more life experience under their belts and something more demanding of respect than the ‘natural beauty’ of a surgically altered face and the ability to say ‘oppa’ in 26.5 different inflections.
    Bullet 2: It is time ‘for a new direction in Kpop’, so how about we get more indie acts/variety on the scene and less of the overplayed aegyo?  
    Bullet 3: They are 30-something and not in their 70′s! What is this living ‘happily ever after’ that the netizens refer to?  If they are refering to life in those terms then they have some hard learning curves ahead.
    Bullet 4: BLEEPITY BLEEP BLEEP BLEEP.  Heaven forbid these women do what they enjoy over the age of 30 and flout tradition.  Note to self: enjoying my life ends at 30 and I must get a move on.
     

  • mq

    My only grip with these older idols is that some of them are still doing the 12 years old acts. I love Kahi… but all that pouting self taken photos should be tone down. The woman is on fire when she’s acting her age, doing her struts and such. So why is she doing this fish face crap? 

    /endrant

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_FS52P3WGP37JJ6YJNRLPPBVS4E A

    Gone are the days when Tasha had to bump up her age in order to fit into the proper ‘profile’.

    I dont think this question only applies to female idols (though the evidence might be more glaring). In fact, I think the industry is MORE unforgiving toward 30+ MALES who are trying to be idols.
    I mean, if we go just 10 years back, people like Dalmatian’s Inati, DayDay, Dari wouldnt have as tough a time as they do now….

    Younger is better for companies and fans who want a fresh face, someone new to the rules, someone relatable to the target audience, someone with potential longevity and someone, if it comes to that, who can easily be replaced…

    Honestly, this issue pisses me off because if people like G.NA, MBLAQ’s Seungho, Seungyeon, ALL of SUJU, etc are calling themselves old, just imagine what kind of situation they are putting up 30+ or close to 30 rookies in when they want to debut.

    In the present industry, there is no ~pro~ glory for idols other than fan love. It’s tough. 

    This is the thing that’s making me MOST nervous for Shinhwa’s comeback haha. 

  • Xenia

    If the woman’s income depends much on her face, 30 is old. For most women nowdays it’s not a disaster, and those women listed above are in top shape. And still they (as in “women in their 30″) usually lose to younger girls, it’s a law of nature, that’s how it should be. Or maybe I’m listening to Lily Allen too much and become more cinical with every note)))))
    Also, 30-year old ildol – it sounds ridiqulous. In 30 you should become a singer, not an idol, or go away from the stage with other idols your age. 

  • Anonymous

    Isn’t the idol concept still kind of new for Korea? H.O.T. and S.E.S. were the first generation of idols as they perform and entertain today. Is there even a precedent for what idols should do once they grow out of that teeny-bopper phase?

    • Anonymous

      woah good point…i think with this new slew of kpop idols we will see….I think SUJU for example may not continue as a group,but I can already pinpoint which ones will continue as MC’s or radio DJ’s hosts etcetc

  • Ant

    I’m interested that you’re solely focusing on woman. Honestly, age is too big of a risk for female idols. Of course there’s going to be lack of interest over time- but I don’t think thats age alone. There are popular adult idols like Narsha, Jea, Miryo, and Kahi. Plus there’s that whole thing with ‘mature sexiness’ which they seem to emanate.

    Quoting someone else:
    “female idol’s careers last as long as they can hold a tune. Male idols careers are on the rocks as soon as they get their draft letters’

  • Anonymous

    We need more older idols. I hate the age bias in K-Pop.
    Hello, Brown Eyed Girls are all in their thirties (except Ga-In) and they are the best girl group out.

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  • Ndncuttie02

    does it really matter how old the idol is? like seriously if their are older people who love to be in the idol world then let them be.

  • http://twitter.com/ErikinaDaisy Erika Ward

    I think Idols can be way over 30. I think because Korea is a little new to the whole idol KPOP scene, I believe that this 2nd generation of idols will break the mold. I mean there are Japanese idols in their late 30s who are still popular. I believe groups like SuJu will break these molds because they are still at the top after 6 years and they all look like they`re in their early 20s!! I believe SuJu can still make it as a group for at least 10 years. I think most people see Kpop idol`s careers ending at 30 because of the military service. Male idols have to leave the celebrity scene at 29 and when they come back they can`t always make it big again. I think SuJu will break that mold because:
    1- They have so many members there will always be someone there to promote the group
    2- They have a huge fanbase

    I think they will go a long way and set the stage for many more groups to live out past 30!

    • http://profile.yahoo.com/G4YEZ75723SO7262VEMHAJ4W4M nou

      Haha I believe any group could go on past 30. Hate to break it to you, but Super Junior won’t be the first to break that mold. I’m not sure about the girl groups, but for the male groups Shinhwa are past their 30′s and they’re still active as a whole. They’ve been in the industry for 14 years, they’re making a comeback this month, and I must say their fanbase is still big, just not huge, but big enough for them to still continue their activities. I’m just waiting for the big day. =)  

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  • http://profile.yahoo.com/G4YEZ75723SO7262VEMHAJ4W4M nou

    Age is only a number, does it really matter people? It doesn’t matter to me. As long as they can still walk around and entertain people, that’s all that matters. You’ve got singers in the US that are mid-aged and still dance around singing. The sky is the limit hehe.

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/G4YEZ75723SO7262VEMHAJ4W4M nou

    Don’t let these weird ‘internet citizens’ intervene.

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  • http://profiles.google.com/ch.bachtiar Camilia Bachtiar

    I don’t have a problem with Idols who are 30+ but yes at times they may do things that are too childish for their age.
    Call me conservative for all I care but a debuting idol at 12 isn’t that overdoing abit. It seems as if the debuting age of idols may decrease and start even earlier. Actually the fact that some of these early teens may strut and dance like they’re grown ups and adults singing about love is what worries me. Its really detrimental to them as they’re still growing and learning about life. I don’t mind if they start training at 12, but debuting? Come on they’re only kids.
    My point is no matter how young or old you are they should act their age as trying to convey an image that does not suit your age can be abit of a turnoff at times.
    Just sprouting my opinion. Feel free to debate, criticize, scrutinize, bash (just kidding! )
    Peace :)

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