Mamadol show K-pop and ageist netizens that you don’t just shrivel and die when you hit 30 and / or become a mother

There’s a lot happening in K-Pop. As always. But in the midst of it all, one of the best things as of late to have happened within it is the formation of Mamadol. A group made up of once popular K-pop idols, who have since become mothers.

Mamadol consists of Kahi from After School, Park Jungah from Jewlery. Byul, who was a solo act. Yang Eunji from Baby Vox. Hyun Jyuni from Rock Band Bella Mafia and Sunye from Wonder Girls.

Yes. You read that right. Sunye from Wonder Girls.

The fact that somebody managed to bring Sunye’s ass back into K-Pop blows my mind. Homegirl was giving more hopeless devotion to Jesus than Sandy had to give in Grease. I didn’t think she’d give up on holy communions to buss it on Mnet and Inkigayo, but here we are.

“WooAh Hip” isn’t great. It sounds like a mish-mash of lots of different K-pop songs released over the past 4 years, which you could argue most K-Pop sounds like. But the whole premise of this group? I’m all over it.

K-pop has a MASSIVE issue when it comes to ageism, especially when it comes to women. So there isn’t an abundance of K-pop artists over the age of 35 who have the same visibility as the newer and younger groups who have members in their teens and mid twenties. Ageism against women in music is a global thing. Within music, the weight and extent of it varies from place to place, and also varies depending on the genre. But K-pop is probably where it’s the worst. Once a female K-idol hits 35, they’re seen as old.

I’d hardly say that BoA’s career is languishing. But she doesn’t have the pull that she once had. Part of it is due to SM fucking up with how they push her music, albums and her in general. But something which is out of SM’s control which is causing BoA's star power to wane is her age. Netizens see her as old. And it’s not just because of her age specifically. But because of how long she’s been in the K-pop game. You’d think netizens would just go off of the talent. BoA’s look and sound is better now than it’s ever been. And part of that is because of years of experience.

Ageism in K-pop is something that needs to be turned on its head.

Despite many of the K-Pop entertainment companies wanting to get trainees in really early and have them debut in their teens; the reality is that we're seeing more and more groups with members who are debuting whilst they’re in their 20s. So many of these idols are going to hit 30 within 5 to 10 years anyway. And sure. K-pop idols tend to have a short shelf life. But to just close the door on them because of their age, or how long they’ve been around is dumb. Mamadol is a great way to show that being in your mid to late 30s is not old AT ALL. And even if it were; why does it matter if an artist in this age bracket can still deliver? There’s a poise and confidence that the women of Mamadol have because they’ve been doing this shit for a while now, or were a part of K-pop during a time where you really had to work your ass off at a whole other level than groups who have come up in the past few years. Sunye is the one member of the group who literally left K-pop. But she didn’t miss a beat. She still has it.

When Mamadol were first revealed, they performed Aespa’s “Next Level”, and did it better, because they brought an energy and gravitas to the song that Aespa just don’t have right now.

Mamadol didn’t just give what Aespa shoulda gave, but also what GOT the Beat shoulda gave. 

I wish that we got more girl groups who continue into their late 30s and 40s, because they can and they want to; because it’s so rare for girl groups to last long enough to do such a thing. It’s why I’m always rolling my at eyes at Perfume looking like arts and crafts trash on stage, releasing nursery rhymes and singing like Chipmunks. They’ve been in the game for SO long, and yet they’re not showing their years of experience in their music. They’re comparable to all of the other girl groups coming up, and it’s crazy.

HENNYWAY.

I hope Mamadol turns into something long lasting, and that it urges K-pop fans to be less ageist. Although I know the latter won't happen, because K-pop fans are a mess. Somebody in their 30s is not old. A woman doesn’t suddenly become unable to dance and turn it on a stage because they become a mother. A lot of these damn fans be in their 30s and have families, despite the contrary. And some performers and artists get better with time and age, such as the one artist in K-pop at the moment who is continually shat on for being old. BoA.

I say let all these seasoned bitches have comebacks.