7 Idol Leaders Who Aren’t the Oldest in Their Group

With the success of Korea’s first idol group H.O.T, many entertainment agencies tried to recreate the group’s success by following the same formula with a few variations like the number of members, music and costume styles. However, many companies decided to keep the unspoken rule: “elder is leader by default.”

Therefore, it became a hot topic when DBSK came onto the screen and Yunho was revealed to be the leader when there was a member who was older. Since then, there have been other groups where the leader isn’t the oldest in the group.

Flip through the gallery to see a few leaders from idol groups who aren’t the oldest! Do you know of any more leaders who have someone older than them in the group? Don’t forget to mention it in the comments below!

T-Ara’s Soyeon (October 5, 1987)

T-Ara is known for changing the leader about once a year.

2NE1’s CL (February 26, 1991)

Many leaders who aren’t the oldest are about a year or two younger than the oldest member in the team. In the beginning, many people questioned why CL, who has a considerable age gap with the oldest members, would be picked as the group’s leader. But her charisma and leadership qualities soon quieted such questions.

2AM’s Jo Kwon (August 28, 1989)

Known as one of the trainees with the longest training period, not many people questioned his position as leader.

B1A4’s Jin Young (November 18, 1991)

He is only five months younger than the oldest teammate, CNU.

Block B’s Zico (September 14, 1992)

Although he has his silly side, Zico known when it’s time to get down to business. He is the second youngest of seven members.

Sistar’s Hyorin (January 11, 1991)

She is known as the voice and the face of the group.

Big Bang’s G-Dragon (August 18, 1988)

He gained experience very early during childhood through the group Little RooRa. He penned “Lies,” which shot his group to stardom. Such success due to a member, and not from the agency, freelance composers, etc.,  was unprecedented.