8 K-pop group leaders who aren’t the oldest members

In most K-pop groups, each member plays a different role. A very important, perhaps the most important role is the leader. The leader is, of course, the one who leads the group and looks after its members. Age is one of the common factors when choosing a leader – this role is usually given to the oldest member. But this does not apply to all K-pop groups, as there are those whose leaders are not the oldest but may be in their agency the longest.

Listed below are eight K-pop leaders who are not the oldest members of their group.

8 K-pop leaders who aren’t the oldest members in their group

EXO Suho

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The first on our list is EXO Suho, who was chosen as the leader probably because he had the longest training experience of any member. He spent seven years as an intern before debuting.

But whatever reason Suho was chosen for, he certainly fits in with the leadership role and EXO-L can prove it.

BTS RM

(Photo: Twitter: @bts_twt)
8 K-pop leaders who aren’t the oldest members in their group

BTS RM is another K-pop leader who isn’t actually the oldest member of the group. Like EXO Suho, he is also the member who trained the longest (around four years).

When BTS debuted, even though RM is not the oldest, he seemed the most mature and confident among the members. Being able to speak English fluently, RM is great as a leader.

DOUBLE Jihyo

(Photo: Instagram: @_zyozyo)
8 K-pop leaders who aren’t the oldest members in their group

It is believed that Jihyo’s long training period was one of the reasons she was chosen to lead TWICE. Before her debut, she was an intern for a total of 10 years.

During her performance on “Showterview With Jessi,” TWICE revealed that Jihyo is the leader because members voted for her. They also agreed to Jessi’s comment that Jihyo was trustworthy, which is why they chose her.

IVE Ahn Yujin

(Photo: Twitter: @IVE_twt)
8 K-pop leaders who aren’t the oldest members in their group

The leader position in the new girls group Starship Entertainment IVE went to Ahn Yujin. Reason? Well, maybe it’s because of her talent and experience at “Produce 48” and IZ * ONE.

READ MORE: 8 K-pop groups where Maknae is a leader: WINNER, SNSD-TTS, More

But even before her re-debut at IVE, her potential as a leader was already noticed by the other members of IZ * ONE. In an episode of “Arcade II”, the group’s maknae line chose Yujin as the leader because, according to Wonyoung, it “has the vibe” that befits a leader.

ENHYPEN Jungwon

(Photo: Instagram: @enhypen)
8 K-pop leaders who aren’t the oldest members in their group

ENHYPEN Jungwon also joins our list of K-pop leaders who are not the oldest in their group.

In an interview with Weverse magazine, Jungwon revealed that selecting the group leader was a long process and that he became a leader because Heesung (who is the oldest member) came to him and said that he would like to remain a member and not the leader as other members may have difficulties with talking to the leader, if the leader was also the oldest in the group.

GOT7 Jay B

(Photo: Instagram: @ jaybnow.hr)
8 K-pop leaders who aren’t the oldest members in their group

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Actually Jay B didn’t want to become the leader of GOT7 and even asked JYP Entertainment not to give him that position. Even so, he was chosen as the leader, possibly because he trained the longest among GOT7 members (along with Jinyoung, but Jay B is months older).

TXT Soobin

(Photo: Twitter: @TXT_members)
8 K-pop leaders who aren’t the oldest members in their group

TXT Soobin is said to have been voted leader by Big Hit Music and the rest of the members during the leader evaluation.

In an interview with Weverse Magazine, Soobin revealed that he was burdened with many responsibilities as group leader during the time they were newcomers. But thanks to the support of its members, its burden has decreased over time.

(G) I-DLE Soyeon

(Photo: Instagram: @ tiny.pretty.j)
8 K-pop leaders who aren’t the oldest members in their group

Finally, the leadership position in (G) I-DLE was awarded to Soyeon for her diverse talents, including singing, rapping, dancing and music production skills. Most of the time he is directly involved in the preparation of (G) I-DLE for their next comeback, suggesting the concept of their next release and writing and / or composing songs.

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With a script by Maria Scott