The issue of young children debuting as K-Pop idols has seen increased discussion among K-Pop fans in the recent years as the trend has become more like a norm with newer generation idols.
Idols like NewJeans’ Hyein, ENHYPEN’s Ni-ki, or BABYMONSTER’s Chiquita made significant buzz during their debuts, as many fans expressed concern over them entering such a cut-throat industry at 14-15 years of age. Currently, UNIS’s Seowon is widely known to be the youngest active K-Pop idol. Born in 2011, Seowon debuted at the young age of 12 and is currently 13 years old. But another rookie idol has popped up in the scene who is even younger.
Jung Cho Ha, a 2013-born singer, made her debut in May 2023 as a soloist. She garnered popularity last year on the survival program Show Queen and earned the nickname “Little Jennie” for her striking similarity to BLACKPINK’s Jennie.
Recently, Jung appeared in a TikTok dance challenge video with Pentagon’s Kino that amassed over 4 million views. She did a second dance challenge to “Baggy Jeans” with Kino a few days ago, with netizens praising her impressive dance skills.
@kinoink #초하 마음 아프게 하면 가만안둬 👊 BMH challenge with @정초하 dc: @Kyah ✰ #KINO #키노 #리틀제니정초하 #정초하 #jungchoha #choha #CHOHAe_My_Heart #BMH #BMH_Challenge #fyp
@kinoink #초하 마음 아프게 하면 가만안둬 👊 BMH challenge with @정초하 dc: @Kyah ✰ #KINO #키노 #리틀제니정초하 #정초하 #jungchoha #choha #CHOHAe_My_Heart #BMH #BMH_Challenge #fyp
But the praise has been followed by concern once again, as international netizens learned that Jung was only 11 years old. Many called it “too much” for a child her age to debut in the industry, while some also criticized her parents for pushing her into this despite the risks.
not even a preteen, a KID. being exposed to that industry at that age should be criminal
— dani🦋 (@rizahawtkeye) May 29, 2024
that is a 5th grader https://t.co/leYPDaH5iC
— ⟭⟬⁷⁼¹momo⁷☆ ʟᴏᴠᴇs ᴄʜᴀsᴇ ᴀᴛʟᴀɴᴛɪᴄ☆ (@joondimpl_) May 28, 2024
The kid’s talented but come on this is just too much
pic.twitter.com/jP6Z1W3fy3 https://t.co/VBuRVLUdBN
— 그 🌱🦋 (@almaexistente) May 30, 2024
no one is to blame except for the parents, the industry, and the weirdos who even allowed this to happen…i swear the k-pop industry is just pure cancer☠️☠️ https://t.co/DxAbZdU7t9
— 𝐙𝐞𝐟𝐟 ☾ | 🇵🇸 (@Xson_of_argusX) May 29, 2024
The kpop industry is a joke bc wym 10-11?? And secondly, the outfit???? Her parents and label ain’t shit https://t.co/NzOt8CXQzt
— jas (@jvckishit) May 30, 2024
i’m genuinely concerned for her well being. she should not be in this industry at such a young age. her parents need to be slapped omfg https://t.co/UTUcwdp9VK
— allen | multi stan 🍉 IFB (@ZE_ROISE) May 30, 2024
i’m genuinely concerned for her well being. she should not be in this industry at such a young age. her parents need to be slapped omfg https://t.co/UTUcwdp9VK
— allen | multi stan 🍉 IFB (@ZE_ROISE) May 30, 2024
You can read more about Jung Cho Ha here.
