The Korean music industry taken over by idols born in mid-90s

It is indeed impossible to stop time.

SNSD (Girls’ Generation), Wonder Girls, Kara, T-ara, B2ST, and MBLAQ‘s members that were born in the later half of the 1980s and the early 1990s have led the boy group/ girl group craze the past few years. However, the once young and fresh idols have now become mature sunbae stars, and the younger members have taken their places.

In the music industry, the new leading faces of the idols are the ones born between 1994 and 1996, and the ones born in the mid- 90s. It has now become the norm to meet the mid 90s idols on any music show.

At the forefront of the mid-90s idols are stars born in 1994, or high school seniors this year, such as f(x)‘s Sulli and Krystal, miss A‘s Suzy, 4Minute‘s Kwon So Hyun, and Dal Shabet‘s Subin.

After only 2-3 years since their debut, with their charming looks and innocence being a given, these stars have a prominent presence in not only the music industry, but also in dramas and variety shows. They have already become top star grade. Furthermore, showing constant improvement and endless possibilities, these 1994 stars are gaining fandom day by day.

Furthermore, there are plenty of idol singers even younger than the 1994 stars.

A Pink‘s Kim Namjoo, Boyfriend‘s twin brothers Kwangmin and Youngmin, as well as Minwoo, B.A.P‘s Jongup, and other stars that have been very active since their debut last year and this year are at the forefront of the 1995s.

Rookie group Nu’est will be debuting this month from Pledis Entertainment (company of After School and Son Dambi). Four of the five members, J.R, Len, Baekho, and Minhyun are 1995s, attracting much attention.

The youngest of the mid 90s idols are the 96 stars A Pink‘s Oh Hayoung, and B.A.P‘s Zelo.

However, while the mid 90s idols have an advantage of having started the idol lifestyle early, they also have disadvantages.

The lack of harmonious development of skills and character due to experience are one of them.

One expert in the music industry commented, “Even if they debuted at a young age, a pro ought to be a pro” and “especially if they pass the age of twenty, the industry and the fans both have higher standards, and if the stars do not constantly concentrate on improving their skills, they could die out, just like that.”

Furthermore, he advised, “After becoming a star at a young age, if even temporarily, they start losing popularity, there are instances where they will stray majorly. To prevent this, both the stars and the recording company must do their best to develop their emotional growth.”

Source: Star News via Naver