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[CULTURE] · South Korea, China, Japan, Thailand · 3 sources

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K-pop group A2O LITE sparks controversy over young members

The K-pop girl group A2O LITE, founded by former SM Entertainment producer Lee Soo Man, has achieved significant commercial success following its debut. The group's first single, ‘Neon’, reached the top of the Melon Top 100 chart approximately 29 hours after its release and the group has already secured wins on music programs.

However, the group's debut has triggered controversy due to the young age of its members, who have an average age of 13. The nine-member multinational group includes members from South Korea, China, Japan, Thailand, and a member of Japanese-American descent. One member was born as recently as 2013.

Cultural critic Jung Duk Hyun noted that Lee Soo Man’s strategy may reflect an understanding of the relatively short peak periods of idol careers, suggesting that debuting younger allows artists more time to establish themselves. This approach follows a historical precedent in the industry where artists like BoA and members of SHINee and f(x) debuted in their early teens.

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A2O LITE · Jung Duk Hyun · Lee Soo Man · Melon · SM Entertainment

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