“Three 14-Year Olds?!” — K-Pop Fans Have Some Mixed Feelings About An Upcoming Boy Group’s Line-Up

For some pre-debut K-Pop groups, simply announcing their name or who is in it can bring about some controversy. When NewJeans made their debut, there was a lot of discussion over the ages of some of the members.

NewJeans | @newjeans_ador/Twitter

A soon-to-debut boy group also has earned some mixed reactions to its line-up not only because of some members’ ages but worries over bullying as well.

The survival program Fantasy Boys recently ended, and with the final episode came the announcement of the debuting members of the group. Fantasy Boys was also announced as the 12 membered boy group’s name.

Fantasy Boys | @fantasyboys_twt/Twitter

Included in the line-up were Oh Hyeontae, Kim Gyurae, and Kaeden, who are all 14 years old.

Kim Gyurae Oh Hyeontae Kaedan

The contract term for most groups formed on survival programs is usually only 2-3 years, like recently announced group ZEROBASEONE‘s falling right in the middle at 2.5 years. Fantasy Boys’ contract will last seven years, meaning the three minors will be twenty-one before their contract ends.

| MBC

Some fans were also not pleased about K-Soul‘s inclusion in the group. In addition to rumors about being older than he stated he was for this program, he was slammed for fatphobic remarks during the show.

K-Soul

seeing that ksoul will debut meaning we are gonna see these fat phobic jokes for years pic.twitter.com/SPG1ffNGzy

— first ever hichuudan (@haorulovely) June 1, 2023

Because of these issues, fans are concerned about the group’s lineup. While many believe the group will be successful because they are talented…

whatever decision you all make, whoever the debut line-up is, I will accept it from today. but I hope you guys can take good care of them, don't ever waste all their talents!!!@fantasyboys_twt

— abcdefortee__ (@aboutjunwon00) June 13, 2023

…many are stuck on the fact that so many youngsters are debuting in addition to K-Soul’s past behavior.

three 14 years old and ksoul in the line up wow fantasy boys is really smth

— ????????????⁰¹阿咪 (@jiwoong0b1) June 8, 2023

Lineup of fantasy boys is crazy 3 minors (all 14 yr olds )

— Raine | lf lumi moots (@lumilaban) June 8, 2023

MY TWO PICKS IN FANTASYBOYS DEBUTED BUT FUCKASS KS0UL AND 14 YEAR OLDS HAD TO RUIN IT

— COOKING UP A SUPERBOWL (@seungsiecore) June 8, 2023