Former H.O.T member Moon Hee Jun and former Crayon Pop member Soyul have sparked widespread discussion after revealing that their 9-year-old daughter is taking her first steps toward becoming a K-pop idol.

The celebrity couple recently addressed the topic while interacting with fans on their family YouTube channel, JAM2 HOUSE. During a Q&A session, they were asked whether their daughter, Hee Yul, had shown any interest in pursuing an idol career.

Moon Hee Jun confirmed that she had. He explained that although he originally intended to wait a few more years before enrolling her in professional training, he now believes she is ready to begin. As a result, Hee Yul will start attending an idol training academy this year.

According to Moon, his daughter will only begin auditioning after she has received sufficient professional training and reaches a level where she is fully prepared. He emphasized that he wants her to build the necessary skills before entering the highly competitive audition process.

Drawing from his own experience as a former idol, Moon also spoke honestly about the demands of the industry. He recalled training for around 12 hours every day before debuting and said success required relentless dedication. He acknowledged that chasing an entertainment career often means sacrificing parts of a normal childhood, adding that Hee Yul may have to give up experiences such as sleepovers and other activities with friends if she chooses to follow this path.

The announcement was met with enthusiastic support from many Korean fans, who believe Hee Yul has inherited the qualities needed to succeed in the entertainment industry.

Some fans praised her visuals and stage presence, commenting that she inherited the best features from both parents. Others pointed to her natural facial expressions and dancing ability, predicting she could become a promising next-generation idol.

However, international reactions were noticeably more divided. Many fans questioned whether it was appropriate for a child so young to enter the K-pop trainee system, especially when her parents understand firsthand the physical and emotional challenges associated with the industry. Critics argued that exposing a nine-year-old to such an intense environment raises concerns about the pressures young trainees often face.

Moon Hee Jun and Soyul married in 2017 and have two children, a daughter and a son. The family regularly shares updates about their daily life and parenting journey through their YouTube content, where they continue to connect with fans.

Sources: Koreaboo