Thursday, October 22, 2026

Photo: KLOOK

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Netizens are discussing age and idol fandom in a quote tweet that is drawing attention among Korean netizens. 

The original tweet claimed that following idols is only acceptable until certain age, saying:

"Going around to see idols like following them to overseas concerts and going recordings is only normal until 25, 26 at most. After that, it honestly just looks really strange. (I guess I've really become a total normie now.)"

A quote tweet pushed back, saying Koreans tend to set age limits on what people should do and treat anyone who breaks them as odd, writing

"It's such a Korean thing to decide what you should do from what age to what age, and to treat people over a certain age as weird if they do something. Who cares if someone goes to an overseas concert at 26 or a pre-recording at 62? People can live however they feel like, so just let them enjoy themselves."

For those who are not familiar, pre-recording refers to music shows taping some performances before broadcast, with fans in the audience. Fans can usually apply to attend through the broadcaster or the artist's fan club. Some pre-recordings set a minimum age of 15, but there is no stated upper limit to attend pre-recordings. 

Photo: KLOOK

Some netizens in Theqoo reacted with comments like, "Is there an age for being a fan? You just do it when you feel like it," "Respect people's hobbies, unless you're paying for them," and "Stop minding people's business unless you're going to pay for them. I'll fly to overseas tours even when I'm 100."

Some also pointed out, "How do you follow idols overseas until 25? That's only possible once you have a job," and "It's more surprising that people under 25 and under have the money to go to places like that."

Meanwhile, some others noted, "A pre-recording at 62? I envy the stamina. I should learn from that."

Is There an Age Limit for Following Idols to Overseas Concerts? K-Netz Weigh In

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Lee Sooman, key producer at A2O Entertainment, said that he knows people are worried about the 13- and 14-year-old members in his new idol groups, and promised to handle it well.

On October 21, Lee Sooman gave a keynote on human creativity and the future of K-culture at a forum titled “K-Culture × Tech: The Path to Sustainable Growth,” held at the Sebitseom Convention Center in Seoul.

Lee Sooman first pointed to what set A2O’s launch apart: two groups at once, boy group A2O SOUL and girl group A2O LITE, noting, “My staff found it very hard.”  Regarding the members’ ages, he said:

“There are 13-year-olds and 14-year-olds among the members. I know many people are worried. I’m not losing sleep over it, but I think about it a lot. I’ll do well.”

 

For context, A2O LITE’s three youngest members (Ayune, OA and Aijing) were born in 2013, and A2O SOUL’s four youngest members are 14. 

This is also Lee Sooman’s first domestic debut project in years. He sold his 14.8% SM stake to HYBE in February 2023, and a non-compete clause limited him to overseas work until the end of February 2026.

The groups debuted on October 13 with digital singles 'Superstar' (SOUL) and 'Neon' (LITE). 'Neon' topped Melon’s Top 100, a major Korean streaming chart, the next day.

On Theqoo, a Korean online community, reactions to his remarks fell into three groups.

Some focused on the members’ age. One user wrote, “Honestly, 13 is too young to debut,” while another said, “If he’d do well, he’d send them to school instead.”

Others doubted the promise itself, pointing out, “Knowing people are worried means he knows it’s a problem.” Meanwhile, some netizens also praised the members, saying, “The kids are so good, he couldn’t help debuting them.”

Meanwhile, Lee Sooman went from singer and TV personality to founder of SM Entertainment. After leaving SM in 2023, he set up Singapore-based A2O Entertainment, whose name stands for 'Alpha to Omega,' and introduced girl group A2O MAY in 2024. 

Lee Sooman Addresses Concerns Over 13- and 14-Year-Old A2O Members, K-Netz React

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SOURCE: (1), (2), (3)

Rainbow member and actress Go Woori has revealed that she suffered severe headaches and full-body pain after her October 6 C-section, and that she needed an emergency blood transfusion.

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In the video uploaded on October 21 titled “Go Woori’s 5-Minute C-Section Story (Feat. Postpartum Struggles),” Go Woori shared her recovery after giving birth to her first son.

Go Woori started the video by saying, "Today is day four since I gave birth," and revealed that the surgery itself went smoothly. She recalled her doctor telling her “It’ll be done in eight minutes,” and described the spinal anesthesia as “like someone poking my back with a fingernail.”

The trouble started afterward. She explained, "I woke up before dawn because my head hurt so badly it felt like it would split." A nurse told her breast engorgement can affect the whole body in some women, and she added concluded, “I think that’s me.”

By day three it was worse. She said, “I’ve had terrible headaches since day three, and standing makes it worse.” She added, “I’m looking into whether it’s a side effect of the spinal anesthesia.” It was also reported that Go Woori was prescribed medication for possible low iron.

On that point, a headache that worsens when upright and eases when lying down is the classic pattern of post-dural puncture headache. It is a recognized complication of spinal anesthesia and usually resolves on its own. 

Go Woori shared, “It hurts too much, so I can only lie down," and noted that the C-section area has improved a lot, but the other pain left her feeling so sad. The video ends with her receiving the transfusion the following day.

Meanwhile, Go Woori, born in 1988, debuted in 2009 as a member of the girl group Rainbow, where she was known as the eldest. She later moved into acting, appearing in dramas including 'Gaus Electronics' and 'My Only One.'

She married a non-celebrity businessman five years her senior in 2022 and announced her pregnancy in February. On October 7, she announced her son’s birth on social media, writing “Bokdungi was born with a very loud cry.”

RAINBOW's Go Woori Shares Postpartum Struggles After C-Section in New Youtube Video