A2O LITE, a new nine-member girl group personally created by SM Entertainment founder Lee Soo-man (이수만), was initially highly anticipated as his significant return to the K-pop scene after approximately three years. However, the group has been embroiled in controversy even before their official debut. Concerns first arose on Korean online communities regarding the young age of several members, questioning the debut of underage idols. Following their official debut, criticism intensified over their stage outfits, which were deemed too short and form-fitting. Specifically, 13-year-old member AIJING (盛艾敬) wore shorts paired with a crop top, with some netizens describing her styling as resembling "underwear," bringing the issue of stage attire for underage idols back into the spotlight.
A2O LITE recently made their official debut with an average age of just 15, including three members who are only 13 years old. Even Young, considered the oldest member, is only 17. The members' ages have sparked considerable concern among fans, who question whether the agency is overly pursuing a youthful image and worry if such young children can endure high-intensity training, demanding promotional schedules, and the pressure of public opinion.
On the 19th, A2O LITE performed on the new Korean program *The New K-Pop Show*, where members wore different stage outfits from their previous appearances. While many viewers praised their performance, some netizens focused on the costume design, particularly for 13-year-old AIJING, whose outfit became a central point of discussion due to its cut.
Footage revealed AIJING wearing shorts with safety shorts underneath, paired with a crop top that exposed part of her abdomen. Some netizens felt the overall styling was not only too short and form-fitting but visually resembled underwear. They questioned whether the agency adequately considered the members' ages and urged the company to re-evaluate the stage outfit arrangements for underage idols.
One netizen expressed dissatisfaction, stating, "This is basically underwear, isn't it? When they wore similar outfits before, the filming angles were more careful. Why are they shooting from such low angles now? It's really uncomfortable to watch." Another bluntly said, "I initially thought, 'what's the big deal?' but after seeing it, it really looks like she's performing in underwear. There should be a limit! Why make a 13-year-old wear something like this?" These criticisms reignited public concern over the appropriate styling for underage idols.
In response to public questions about the young age of his artists and the recent controversies over their outfits, Lee Soo-man recently addressed the issues directly. He admitted understanding the many concerns regarding underage idols and promised to take full responsibility, stating, "I will handle it well."
On the 21st, Lee Soo-man attended the "K-Culture x Technology: Path to Sustainable Growth" forum, hosted by the integrated newspaper *Donghaeng Media Times*, at the SEBIT ISLAND Convention Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul. He delivered a keynote speech titled "Human Creativity and the Future of K-Culture."
Discussing his new groups, Lee Soo-man revealed that A2O recently launched two new acts simultaneously: boy group A2O SOUL and girl group A2O LITE. He stated that instead of debuting just one group, choosing to launch two new acts simultaneously to kickstart the new company was a significant challenge for the team.
Lee Soo-man admitted, "Doing this right from the start in a newly established company made it very difficult for the employees. I thought, 'I'll try it and it should work,' and decided to go ahead." He also expressed gratitude to the hardworking staff.
Regarding the presence of 13 and 14-year-old members, Lee Soo-man stated he fully understood public concerns. He said, "I know many of you have worries. Although we have created many different types of software, I am well aware that there are still many concerns in people's minds." He confessed that he had thought a lot about it, adding, "I haven't lost sleep over it yet, but I have indeed thought a lot. I will handle it well."
However, Lee Soo-man's statement appears to have done little to quell public dissatisfaction. A heated discussion erupted on the Korean forum theqoo, with many netizens arguing that instead of verbal promises, direct improvements to the members' stage styling and related arrangements were needed.
One netizen questioned, "If they really considered it, would the children's clothes be like that?" Another brought up the album cover design, asking, "Would such a person create an album cover like that?" Some netizens even referenced the movie *Snowpiercer*, sarcastically suggesting the company might be choosing young children for their longer potential use, which is why they debuted them.
Furthermore, other netizens directly stated, "It just feels like talk, and improvement is impossible," "Shouldn't he be worried to the point of losing sleep?" and "Disgusting, how is this different from Lolita?" Some also called for the company to change the album cover and dress the members in more conservative clothing, believing it would look better.
Some comments directly criticized that merely debuting 13 and 14-year-old children showed the company did not adequately consider their situation. Others believed Lee Soo-man's views on idol styling were outdated, emphasizing, "Perhaps it was okay like that before, but it's different now; times have changed."
As controversies surrounding A2O LITE's age, stage outfits, and album cover continue to escalate, whether Lee Soo-man's promises can genuinely resolve public doubts remains to be seen. The balance between artistic development and the protection of minors in idol debut arrangements and image creation has become the most pressing issue in this ongoing controversy.
Below are translations of Korean netizen comments
1. The cover is already out, so nothing can be done, but I hope the children's stage outfits will be more modest in the future.
2. Knowing that many people are worried means he's aware there's a problem, but the album cover is still like that, hahaha.
3. If he knew people would be worried, he should have prepared better before debuting them. And is being only 13 or 14 years old the problem? Hahaha.
4. Make their clothes longer, stop making the children undress.
5. If you debut 13 and 14-year-olds, you should lose more sleep.
6. Didn't you yourself say you intentionally only debuted minors?
7. No, but for someone like that, the album cover and outfits are like that, hehe.
8. The album is so erotic, old man.
9. He only knows, but he doesn't do well; he only knows how to use them to make money.
10. All talk.
11. Please change the album cover.
12. After realizing what the album cover was like, I couldn't listen anymore...
13. It's worse than before, old man.
14. Seriously, change the album cover; it feels too exaggerated.
15. So you congratulate them on first place, but tell growing children to eat moderately, then fob them off with an ice cream cake?
16. Just looking at the styling and album cover, it feels like you haven't considered anything.
17. A bit disgusting...
18. That old man is someone who hasn't given up on the rotation system for decades, specifically to eliminate older idols...
19. You're not doing well; you can't even solve parents' debt problems.
20. You're not doing well. I clicked in thinking you had considered it, but everyone thinks the same.
21. The group that owes wages.
22. That old man is a bit different from a pedophile. He uses children as parts, consuming them for long-term exploitation.
23. @40 is right, they're just products.
24. Recently, I can't stand seeing Lee Soo-man being praised; I hate it so much.
25. That old man is someone who hasn't given up on the rotation system for decades, specifically to eliminate older idols...
26. Wow, I looked closely at the album cover for the first time; the long pants look great. It would be good if they could wear long pants.
27. When will this old man finally leave?
