Is a K-pop idols career really over at 30?

depends on the idol tbh

Most idols start exploring different ventures around that age.

So while I wouldn’t say their idol career is over at 30, it’s most likely on a steep decline unless they’re in a legendary group like SNSD or Twice.

Wouldn’t say over but less likely to build on their fanbase! Sadly I think fans are made from early age and solidified later

I was watching Daisy ex member from momoland video and she confirmed at 21/22 she was made to feel old! It’s ridiculous

If an idol is in an established group, then they should be fine. Idols like Irene, Seulgi, Wendy, Taeyeon,Blackpink members, Nayeon, Jihyo, MiSaMo can all most likely continue being idols when they're 30.

It seems very unlikely to have a career over 30 if you weren't in a succesful group. Time catches up with most and many just move on to new acts. The fanbase shrinks for an idol as they get older and it seems rare to get a new lease on life as they get older

As a Kpop Idol, 100%! Stats don't lie. Unless you're GD or Taeyeon you have no future after your group disbanded or not as active anymore, and you're a soloist for more than 5 years! At least, not on Charts!

Charts are all about young Idols and new groups, and some Trot singers. Also, the BIG3: IU, GDragon and Taeyeon! That's all.

It's actually 25. Or the year their seven year contract expires, whichever comes first. You aren't seeing many idols outside of the most popular groups passing age 25 and still having any significant activity. When a group's oldest members reach 25 the group tends to go on hiatus...forever.

The industry loves 18-year-olds - easy to rig music show wins for them and they are so happy to be "famous" that they do what they are told without complaint.

Not exactly over. It's just bc when you are older you'll have to "start again" like idols, groups are 99% all about first love, youth, fresh, bg/gf material etc so you need to rebrand again as an older idol, but companies don't really care enough to do this "difficult" task, they prefer to just debut another young group and capitalize in them.

Unless you come from a big group where the fb is loyal it's difficult to try. And the transaction while necessary isn't even accepted by fans sometimes so yeah.

no but times are changing as more groups (well the top groups) continue their idol careers and renew with the same company that they debuted with

I think it depends when you debut. If you are 25 old, you may still be relevant during your 30s, but if you are 15 years old once you debut, it is harder to stay relevant next 15 years

Day6 literally got more famous after

Yes

Especially for dance singers

Taeyang of Big Bang said if one begins to dance in the teens at 30s the toil begins to show.

Even the mighty Lee Jieun began to falter at the age of 31(although actually 1,351).

Only in the case of talentless idols who have no fanbase

Quote from Aeicy

Only in the case of talentless idols who have no fanbase

Fanbase is not enough, tho. For Charts, they need a massive support from the public.

IU has a huge fanbase, just like Taeyeon and GD, but I don't think they could still dominate Charts without the gp. IU is the prime example of that. It's not easy to make almost the whole country love you and support you.

Quote from David33

Fanbase is not enough, tho. For Charts, they need a massive support from the public.

IU has a huge fanbase, just like Taeyeon and GD, but I don't think they could still dominate Charts without the gp. IU is the prime example of that. It's not easy to make almost the whole country love you and support you.

but the question was is your career over, not wether or not the artist could chart well.

Quote from Aeicy

Only in the case of talentless idols who have no fanbase

Talentless and fanbase are two completely unrelated concepts.

For the answer: yes.

There is no reason to still be an idol in their 30. They should move on to something different.

Quote from xx-jenn-xx

This thread being revived just to repeat the same ageist takes is honestly gross. Acting like someone magically expires as an idol once they hit their late 20s or 30s isn’t reality, it’s just bias people keep passing around until it sounds “normal.”

Idol careers don’t end because of age. They slow down or stop because companies don’t want to invest in older artists when it’s easier to debut another 17-year-old and start over. That’s a company issue, not an age issue.

Also, limiting this convo to K-pop only is wild. I follow LDH in Japan, the famous EXILE TRIBE has been active since 2004, with men in their 30s and even late 40s still dancing hard, selling out Tokyo Dome and major venues like it’s nothing. No one over there is saying they “should move on” just because of their age.

So yeah, saying someone in their 30s shouldn’t be an idol anymore is preposterous. Age isn’t the problem. The way the industry and some fans treat age is.

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idols turn to dust when they reach 30

Quote from xx-jenn-xx

you ARE dust