On September 14 KST, iNKODE revealed the 7th and last member of the new girl group SAY MY NAME former AKB48 and IZ*ONE member Honda Hitomi.
The news of Hitomi's return to the K-Pop scene delighted many K-Pop fans, and interest in the new iNKODE girl group's debut skyrocketed.
One question that was raised in light of Hitomi's re-debut news was the matter of how much older she was than her fellow group members.
Honda Hitomi, born in 2001, will be 23 years old once her birthday passes in October. The next oldest member of SAY MY NAME, former 'The Debut: Dream Academy' contestant Terada Mei, will soon be 19 years old once her birthday passes later this month.
As for the youngest member of SAY MY NAME, Yoon Seungjoo, she'll be turning 14 years old come her birthday on September 24. Like her group mate Mei, Seungjoo is also a familiar face among girl group fans for her appearance on the MBC idol survival program 'My Teenage Girl'. At the time, she was 11 years old (12 years old in Korean age).
How did K-netizens react to the 9-year age difference between Honda Hitomi and Kim Seungjoo?
Some commented,
"Well, for Hitomi this is her third time debuting as an idol so..."
"I can't believe Hitomi is still only 22 years old."
"Hitomi was pretty much a baby on 'Produce'."
"The age difference isn't as alarming since Hitomi is still young, but I'm not sure about a 13 year old debuting.....?"
"The maknae of this group will be about the same age as Wonyoung when she debuted in IZ*ONE."
"Oh god now we're in the era when 2010-liners can debut..."
"A 2010-liner is debuting? That's crazy."
"Hitomi is the perfect age to debut."
"Hitomi was so mature during her IZ*ONE days so it felt like she was older, but she was still in her teens."
"Even if Hitomi is 9 years older, she has such a baby face that you won't even be able to tell."
"I just don't know if a 13 year old debuting is a good idea."
"I can't wait to see Hitomi being a reliable unnie TT."
SEE ALSO: Dreamcatcher's Siyeon returns in co-ed rock band ChRocktikal, set to debut January 2026
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