KPop figures supporting the Korean College Entrance Exam 2025

    • New

    Every year around this time, South Korea's 18 years olds (and older for those who did not pass the first time) take the Natoinal College Entrance Test, or whatever the official name might be.


    https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%EC%88%98%EB%8A%A5+%EC%9D%91%EC%9B%90&sp=CAMSBAgDEAE%253D


    I will count whose support messages had the most views. This year, I have looked for any messages from BTS members but could not find any.


    Only people relevant for KPop are counted.


    Kim Yooyeon(TripleS) - 396K views. She is enrolled under Ewha Women's University, considered to be the most prestigious woman's university in Korea, making her one of the better educated idols in Korea.


    Davichi 142K


    Alpha Drive One 133K


    IU 106K


    Chuu 87k (shorts)


    IVE 75K


    NCT 69K (insta - shorts)


    Le Sserafim 53K


    Seventeen 53K


    Illit 50k


    Boysnextdoor 50K


    ZB1 40K


    Ateez 40K


    PLAVE 34K


    TWS 25K


    Itzy 19K


    Xodiac 17K


    Ahof 15K


    Izna 14K


    Kiiikiii 14K


    The act calling itself Fifty Fifty 13K


    I stop here. SM acts are well known for never doing such support videos, and the NCT video is a copy from its instagram.


    Among the 18 years olds , other than Kim Yooyeon who actually had taken the test a few times (she attended a university before quitting and trying again), the most popular were Davichi, Alpha Drive One and IU.


    Davichi and IU are old enough to be called their mothers, so I wonder why they still follow such figures instead of people more similar in their age range.

    • New

    According to gpt:


    Every year when the Suneung season comes around, I notice the same thing:

    even though there are plenty of younger, “Gen 4” or “Gen 5” idols doing support videos, the messages from IU and Davichi still pull big numbers.


    These girls taking the exam were born around 2007 — they were literal kids when “Good Day” came out — yet IU is still one of the most-viewed acts during exam season.


    Why?


    1. IU and Davichi = emotional security blankets


    For Koreans, these are not just singers. They’re basically the *soundtrack of adolescence*.


    Their songs are everywhere — in cafés, TV dramas, and graduation videos.


    So even if the listener is 18 now, IU’s voice feels like something that’s *always been there*.


    When you’re facing the most stressful exam of your life, you don’t look for hype idols.


    You look for someone comforting — and IU is basically the nation’s emotional Wi-Fi.


    2. Long-term trust beats new trends


    IU and Davichi are “safe” figures. No major scandals, no controversy, just consistent talent and empathy.


    They’ve spent 10+ years proving their sincerity.


    Meanwhile, newer idols might be trendy but they’re still building credibility — fans don’t fully *trust* them yet.


    3. Cross-generational fandom


    IU has fans from age 12 to 42.


    Parents, older siblings, and even teachers talk positively about her.


    That makes her socially “approved,” so younger people can like her without judgment.


    It’s not embarrassing to be an IU fan — it’s respectable.


    4. Cultural factor


    Korean culture tends to value maturity, politeness, and steady growth.


    Older idols like IU and Davichi embody those values.


    They’re seen as *role models*, not just entertainers.


    5. The “comfort voice” effect


    Suneung week is anxiety central.


    Davichi’s ballads and IU’s voice act like comfort food.


    They sound like the big sister (or even mom) telling you, “You did well, it’s okay.”


    TL;DR


    They don’t follow IU because she’s trendy —

    they follow her because she’s **reliable**, **comforting**, and **emotionally honest**.


    In a culture built around respect and academic pressure, that type of artist never goes out of style.

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