Idols Who Reached The "Pretty Age" Of 25 (Korean Age) This Year

As Song Ji Eun sings in her song, “Twenty-Five,” the age 25 is considered to be a perfect midpoint between youthful energy and a more mature style.

2019 marks the year that those born in 1995 will turn 25 (Korean age). In Korea, people are considered 1 year old at birth and add one year to their age every Lunar New Year. This means that South Koreans born in 1995 are already considered 25 years old, regardless of whether their birthday has passed.

Whether they are the maknae (youngest) or the leader of their groups, here is a list of idols who reached the “pretty age” of 25 this year:

Disclaimer: Because South Koreans calculate their age according to the Lunar New Year, those born in January-February of 1995 may be considered to be older, while those born in January-February of 1996 may be considered the same age as ’95-liners.

TWICE’s Nayeon

Nayeon may be the eldest member of TWICE, but she is known for her cute facial expressions and bright energy on stage, earning her the nickname “fake maknae” among fans. Nonetheless, her years-long dedication to her training helped propel TWICE to the fame and popularity they enjoy today.

BTS’s V and Jimin

Part of the “maknae line” in BTS, V and Jimin debuted together as teenagers six years ago and have now reached the age of 25 together. Although the other members often reference their frequent bickering in the past, the two same-aged friends recently reflected on how their friendship has matured in their 2019 Festa “Bangtan Attic” video.

BTOB’s Yook Sungjae

Once known as the cute, offbeat, and unruly maknae of BTOB, Yook Sungjae is now older than Eunkwang (the eldest member) was when BTOB made their debut in 2012. The idol is not only much more comfortable with teasing his hyungs since then, but has grown into his own as an actor as well as a singer.

NU’EST’s JR, Baekho, Minhyun, Ren

With the exception of Aron, all the members of NU’EST are the same age. The average age of the group was quite young when they made their debut in 2012, but the group stuck together through thick and thin before the four same-aged friends caught the attention of the nation on “Produce 101 Season 2.”

BLACKPINK’s Jisoo

Jisoo’s early birthday (January 3, 1995) means that she can count ’94-liners among her friends. Still, 2019 has been a great year for BLACKPINK, with the success of “Kill This Love,” their history-making performance at Coachella, and the continuation of their world tour.

SEVENTEEN’s S.Coups, Joshua, and Jeonghan

With 13 members to keep in check, the position of “SEVENTEEN’s leader” can be a tough one. However, it helps that S.Coups has two other ’95-liners to help him out! Of course, the same-aged friends are just as likely to tease and bicker with one another instead, but they also have a lot of fun together as the three oldest members of the group.

MAMAMOO’s Wheein and Hwasa

Wheein and Hwasa were friends long before they made their debut together in MAMAMOO, having attended the same middle school together. Although all the members of MAMAMOO are close, Wheein and Hwasa have a special bond because they grew up together from young girls with dreams to the hit singers they are today.

VIXX’s Hyuk

VIXX’s Hyuk has come a long way from the teenager who couldn’t look one of his hyungs (read: Leo) in the eye during “MyDOL!” All the VIXX members have expressed their surprise that Hyuk has grown into one of the physically strongest and tallest members of the group, along with the mental confidence to tease the older members.

Apink’s Namjoo

With the exception of Jung Eun Ji and Bomi (’93-liners), all the Apink members are different ages. However, their close bond is what allowed the girl group to keep going strong more than 8 years after their debut. Namjoo has taken advantage of this auspicious year, 2019, to start a new stage of her career and launch her own fashion line.

NCT’s Taeyong, Yuta, and Johnny

With 21 members and counting, keeping track of age in NCT can be a challenge. Not counting early birthdays, however, Taeyong, Yuta, and Johnny all share the distinction of being born in 1995. All three are part of the subunit NCT 127, who in 2019 released the EP “We Are Superhuman” and embarked on their first concert tour.

Oh My Girl’s YooA and Mimi

Although Seunghee has an early 1996 birthday that puts her in the same school year as ’95-liners, YooA and Mimi are the two Oh My Girl members with birthdays in 1995. Oh My Girl debuted in 2015 and has been steadily building up their popularity since; in 2019, the girl group saw a lot of success with their latest EP, “The Fifth Season.”

JBJ95’s Sanggyun and Kenta

You can’t spell JBJ95 without “95”! The name refers to the fact that these two former JBJ members have birthdays in the same year, 1995. The two became close as trainees on “Produce 101 Season 2,” and Kim Sanggyun has taken advantage of this auspicious year to take on a supporting role in the upcoming KBS drama “Let Me Hear Your Song.”

EXID’s Jeonghwa

As the midpoint of one’s twenties, 25 can be a good time for people to reflect on their lives and make a change. Jeonghwa has done exactly that in 2019, having decided to leave her longtime agency, Banana Culture Entertainment. Hopefully she can take advantage of this auspicious year to kickstart a new stage of her career!

Nayoung (formerly PRISTIN)

Another idol who has made a significant change in 2019 is Nayoung, formerly of I.O.I and PRISTIN. After Pledis Entertainment announced the disbandment of PRISTIN, Nayoung parted ways with the agency and is reportedly looking for a new agency.

IZ*ONE’s Kwon Eun Bi

Kwon Eun Bi is the oldest member of IZ*ONE, as well as the leader, but her career is just getting started! IZ*ONE was formed from the 12 top contestants on “Produce 48” and officially made their Korean debut in late 2018. With two and a half years in IZ*ONE’s contract, Kwon Eun Bi has successfully kicked off her mid-twenties.

AB6IX’s Lim Young Min

Although Lim Young Min has already left an impression on the world, not only as a “Produce 101 Season 2” contestant but as a member of the duo MXM, 2019 marked a fresh start for him as part of Brand New Music’s new boy group AB6IX.

N.Flying’s Yoo Hwe Seung

25-year-old Yoo Hwe Seung already has an impressive list of accomplishments under his belt, including placing 39th on “Produce 101 Season 2” and completing his mandatory military service despite his young age. He is not only the youngest but the newest member of N.Flying, having joined the band in 2017, and has kicked off his mid-twenties with a bang after N.Flying’s “Rooftop” saw a surge in music chart rankings earlier this year.

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