5th-Gen Girl Group Sparks Huge Controversy, Fans Disgusted At Youngest Member’s Shocking Age

Fans can not believe it…
News
Koreaboo

Fifth-generation girl group KIIRAS is already facing controversy before their upcoming debut, as fans condemn the shocking age of the youngest member.

The first girl group to debut under LeanBranding, KIIRAS, has been highly anticipated. Popular singer-songwriter SAAY was recently announced to be the producer of the group’s first album, and many have been looking forward to the debut of Malaysian member Lingling — a popular contestant from izna’s survival show, I-LAND 2: N/a. The maknae of the group, however, is also sparking huge backlash.

lingling kiiras
Lingling| @official_KIIRAS/X (formerly known as Twitter)

Born on October 16, 2011, maknae Roah is just 13 years old. Since Roah was revealed to the public this week, numerous fans have called out LeanBranding for casting such a young girl to join the group.

When LeanBranding held auditions for KIIRAS in 2024, the casting call was open to children between the ages of just 6 and 16 years old. Other singers under the agency include 3-year-old Miss Trot 2 contestant Kim Ji Yul and 14-year-old UNIS maknae Lim Seo Won, who first debuted as a soloist at 10 years old.

Many have pointed out that Roah is too young to have even graduated from middle school yet, with others noting that she appears even younger than her actual age. Lingling is the eldest member of the group at 20 years old, while the other members’ ages range from 15 to 19.

Despite her young age, this isn’t Roah’s first venture into entertainment. Under her real name, Kim Hajeong, she previously made an appearance in the JTBC K-Drama The Atypical Family and has competed in child modeling competitions.

She was also a member of Wenity, a children’s dance cover group. Back in 2023, when she was just 11 years old, Roah participated in a Pocket TV audition video for the children’s group Play With Me Club, in collaboration with Woollim Entertainment.

Selected from more than 1,000 applicants, she impressed judges by singing “Hurt” by NJZ (NewJeans) and dancing to LE SSERAFIM‘s “Antifragile,” with the panel comparing her looks to LE SSERAFIM’s Chaewon.

Amidst the widespread criticism, fans across social media are calling on others to boycott KIIRAS.

Even fans who have been anticipating Lingling’s debut are now refusing to support the group.

Next Page
Scroll to top