First-Generation Girl Group Receives Praise for Their Stunning Comeback “Mom of Two, but Looks Like a Current Idol” 

On the December 20 broadcast of KBS2’s “Gayo Daechukje”, hosted by singer Zico, IVE’s Jang Wonyoung and actor Kim Young-dae, a wide array of performers graced the stage. The lineup included current idols like aespa, (G)I-DLE, IVE and NCT 127, alongside legends like Jinusean, S.E.S.’s Bada, Baby V.O.X and DJ Koo. Together, they presented a harmonious blend of old and new generations.

Among them, Baby V.O.X’s reunion performance, their first as a whole in 14 years, stole the spotlight. Their performance became the second most-tweeted topic in real time and dominated search rankings the day after the broadcast. Not only did the group dispel long-standing rumors of discord with their perfect teamwork and camaraderie, but their stunning visuals, comparable to current idols, captivated viewers.

Though the passage of time was evident, what stood out to netizens was that all the members are now in their 40s. On December 21, online communities buzzed with comments like, “They’re better than some active idols”, “Kan Mi-youn is still so pretty” and “The youngest member is already in her 40s, but they’ve all taken such good care of themselves that they look like active idols.” In particular, Kim E-Z received significant attention. Comments included, “What’s truly amazing is Kim E-Z. She’s a mom with two kids, yet she’s so well-maintained” and “Kim E-Z is the oldest in the group, five years senior to Yoon Eun-hye. Despite stepping away from the entertainment industry to raise her children, she looks like someone who was active until yesterday.”

First-generation idols refer to idol groups that debuted in the late 1990s and were active until the early 2000s. Iconic groups of this era included male idols like H.O.T., Sechs Kies and Taesaja, as well as female groups like S.E.S., Fin.K.L, Baby V.O.X and Sharp. Younger generations rediscovering these early K-pop pioneers through platforms like YouTube and Shorts have expressed awe at their performances and visuals.

For instance, comments under clips of Sharp’s Lee Ji-hye, who has recently gained popularity through her personal YouTube channel, read, “I thought it was Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon”, “How can she sing and dance so well?” and “I thought she was a comedian, but she’s actually a great singer.” Meanwhile, Eugene of S.E.S., the first girl group from SM Entertainment, continues to thrive as a host, ad model, broadcaster and musical actress, all while maintaining her fairy-like beauty 25 years later.

The reunion stages of first-generation groups like Baby V.O.X and full-group activities of second-generation groups like g.o.d, JX, BIGBANG, 2NE1, T-ARA and F.T. Island evoke nostalgia among fans. These performances not only serve as a gift for those reminiscing about the “good old days” but also affirm the professionalism and impact of first- and second-generation idols in K-pop’s global rise.

Netizens commented, “Most first-generation girl groups still sing stably and have taken great care of their appearances.” Others expressed a wish for more, saying, “Though first-gen male idols’ appearance management is slightly less impressive compared to the girls, it would be great to see them occasionally reunite and appear on music shows as full groups.”