Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.
2nd-, 3rd-generation K-pop idols born in Year of the Pig
By Kwak Yeon-soo
2019, the Year of the Pig, is approaching. Ranked as the 12th animal in the Chinese zodiac, pigs have often been called signs of wealth and fortune. Some astrologists believe people born under this zodiac sign are realistic, energetic, enthusiastic, hardworking and cooperative. And most importantly, they love entertainment.
Given these characteristics, a number of them have entered show business and made massive fortunes. The second generation of K-pop idols ― formed between the early and late 2000s ― consists of BoA, TVXQ, Super Junior, Big Bang, Girls' Generation and many others.
Many were born in 1983 under the zodiac sign of the pig, while a number of the so-called third-generation of K-pop idols formed from 2010 onward were born in 1995. The third generation includes BTS, EXO, TWICE, Wanna One and BLACKPINK. Here is the list of celebrities who were born in the Year of the Pig.
Super Junior's Kim Hee-chul, left, and Lee Teuk Korea Times file
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Leading second-generation K-pop boy band Super Junior's Lee Teuk and member Kim Hee-chul, both turning 36 next year, debuted in 2005 with the release of their first album titled “Twins.” Since then, the band has been enjoying high popularity within and outside the country.
Having recently wrapped up the Super Junior World Tour “Super Show 7,” the members hinted at their plan to show off the band's “complete form” in 2019 after member Kyuhyun fulfills his military service as a social service worker.
BTS' V, left, and Jimin Korea Times file
With so many achievements under their belts this year, it seems like 2019 is going to be another year dominated by BTS. The group's two members V and Jimin, both born in 1995, have been shuttling around the world, touring and releasing albums simultaneously.
Earlier in October, BTS members have renewed their contracts with Big Hit Entertainment for another seven years, extending their current contracts until 2026. In the first four months of next year, BTS is scheduled to perform in Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand.
Wanna One's Ong Seong-wu, left, and Hwang Min-hyun Korea Times file
Korea's popular project band Wanna One is nearing its scheduled disbandment on the last day of the year when the members will part ways and join separate agencies. Member Hwang Min-hyun, born in 1995, is expected to return to his original band NU'EST, whose four other members have been rebranding themselves as NU'EST W due to Hwang's absence.
Meanwhile, Ong Seong-wu, 23, is likely to take steps towards acting, according to industry sources. It has been reported that the singer was offered a leading role in a drama series titled “Eighteen,” which is scheduled to air on JTBC in July.
TWICE's Nayeon, left, and BLACKPINK's Jisoo Korea Times file
Nayeon of TWICE, 23, will perform at Tokyo Dome next year as part of the group's 2019 Japan tour. If it happens, TWICE will be the first K-pop girl group to hold a dome tour. According to their schedule, Twice will perform at Tokyo Dome for two days and hold one show each at the Nagoya Dome and the Kyosera Dome in Osaka.
Jisoo of BLACKPINK, also born in 1995, will hold her own Asia tour in 2019 to meet with foreign fans.
In addition, MAMAMOO's Hwasa and Wheein, AOA's Seolhyun, Bolbbalgan4's Ahn Ji-young, GFriend's Sowon, Lovelyz' Kei, Pristin's Nayoung, WJSN's Bona, Exy and Xuanyi, EXID's Junghwa, Oh My Girl's YooA and Gugudan's Nayoung are multi-talented K-pop artists born in 1995, the Year of the Pig.