Display MoreI do follow some younger groups, but I am not really one of the fans who would be obsessed with idols, follow their every step etc. I mostly listen to the music and if I really like a group, I will also check out their variety and keep up with the news. I found that I naturally gravitate towards older members anyway, when thinking of a bias or a favourite members, which is good.
I always have mixed feelings about companies debuting very young idols. For example I started following IVE in 2022 and they're now one of my favourite groups, but I was really against them debuting the youngest member Leeseo, who was only 14. I mean, some of the members from my other favourite groups like f(x) or Red Velvet also debuted super young, but I didn't pay that much attention to it then, because I was also younger.
Oh, it's great that you went back and discovered older groups! I personally couldn't really get into gen 1, so I only know groups from gen 2. Could you recommend any female soloists from jpop that are good? I've been meaning to give jpop a try, but I only follow ggs and female artists, so I don't know if you know any.
Yes, I feel like in the west the age of the fans is not really an issue? I never met anyone who liked music saying that this or that western group/soloist is only for the teens or adults. Unless it's music made solely for children, I don't see a problem. Or maybe it's not as big as in kpop. But I believe the parasocial relationship between the artists and fans is the most prominent in kpop, so maybe that's why.
Time to summon the playlist!
I know social media is not a good indication of anything but I've seen videos or posts from people who found their passion later in life. My weakness is that I have too many interests so it was always hard for me to focus on 
