K-pop idols tend to enter the industry when they’re very young, around 13 years old and sometimes even younger if they join kid groups. In an industry that is built to continuously pump out new idols, it can be difficult to have a long-lasting career. However, all of the female K-pop idols on this list have been active for at least 10 years. Some of them even started in the 1990s and early 2000s and are still going strong. Many of the female K-pop idols on this list were members of very popular girl groups, who went on to launch successful solo careers after their group’s broke up. Additionally, a few of these women are some of the most iconic K-pop idols of all time.
10. Qri (December 12, 1986 – Present)
Current Age (as of December 2021): 35 years, 15 days
Years Active: 2009 – Present
Birth Name: Song Lee Ji-hyun
Birthplace: Goyang, South Korea
Group: T-ARA
Position: Leader and Vocalist
photo source: K-Pop Wiki
Did You Know?
Qri attended Myungji University, enrolling in the Department of Theatre and Visual Arts the same class as fellow group T-ARA member, Boram.
9. BoA (November 5, 1986 – Present)
Current Age (as of December 2021): 35 years, 1 month, 22 days
Years Active: 2000 – Present
Birth Name: Kwon Bo-ah
Birthplace: Guri, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Group: Solo Artist and GOT the beat
Position: Leader
photo source: K-Pop Wiki
BoA, who has been dubbed the “Queen of K-pop” because of her long and successful career, is still going strong in the industry after more than two decades. She was first discovered by SM Entertainment talent agents in 1998, who trained her for two years. BoA made her debut in 2000 to moderate success and SM Entertainment decided to switch gears and send BoA to Japan. This move turned out to be a success and BoA became incredibly popular in Japan. She was the first major Korean singer to break into the Japanese market.
Since then, BoA has not slowed down. She has released countless songs and albums in Korea and Japan over the years. BoA even briefly entered the American market. Around 2013, BoA had her first full role in a Korean drama. She has had more acting roles since then.
Did You Know?
BoA has always been a solo artist, but in late 2021, she was revealed as a member of upcoming supergroup Got the beat, which will make its debut on January 3, 2022.
8. Sojin (May 21, 1986 – Present)
Current Age (as of December 2021): 35 years, 7 months, 6 days
Years Active: 2010 – Present
Birth Name: Park So-jin
Birthplace: Daegu, South Korea
Group: Girl’s Day
Position: Leader and Lead Vocalist
photo source: K-Pop Wiki
Sojin is currently the oldest member and leader of Girl’s Day. The group made its debut in 2010 and Sojin has been active in the K-Pop industry since then. In 2019, all of the members of Girl’s Day decided not to renew their contract with Dream T Entertainment. However, Sojin and the other Girl’s Day members said that the group has not been disbanded and that they are just taking a break.
Following the Girl’s Day announcement, Sojin signed with Noon Company to launch her career as an actress. Sojin has been acting since 2011, but wants to take it more seriously.
Did You Know?
While many K-Pop idols do not attend college, Sojin majored in mechanical engineering at Yeungnam University.
7. Lee Hae-ri (February 14, 1985 – Present)
Current Age (as of December 2021): 36 years, 10 months, 13 days
Years Active: 2008 – Present
Birth Name: Lee Hae-ri
Birthplace: Daegu, South Korea
Group: Davichi
Position: Leader and Main Vocalist
photo source: K-Pop Wiki
Lee Hae-ri is one half of the duo Davichi. As the older of the two members, Lee Hae-ri is the group’s leader and main vocalist. Davichi and Lee Hae-ri have been active since 2008. Over the years, Davichi has been signed to different labels and the group is currently under WAKEONE’s management. In addition to her work with Davichi, Lee Hae-ri also has several solo projects.
Did You Know?
In 2014, Lee Hae-ri appeared as Seol-hee in a musical theater play titled Hero, which was based on the Korean independence movement from Japan in 1909.
6. Dara (November 12, 1984 – Present)
Current Age (as of December 2021): 37 years, 1 month, 15 days
Years Active: 2004 – Present
Birth Name: Park Sandara
Birthplace: Busan, South Korea
Group: N/A – Solo Artist
Position: N/A
photo source: K-Pop Wiki
Dara is another female solo artist that has been active in the K-pop industry for well over a decade. She is a former member of 2NE1. Interestingly, Dara got her start in the Philippines after Filipina actress Pauleen Luna encouraged Dara to audition for Star Circle Quest in 2004. The show is a popular talent search competition in the Philippines. Dara made it to the finale and placed second.
Dara was rocketed to stardom in the Philippines following her appearance on Star Circle Quest. Over the next few years, Dara released music and appeared in movies in the Philippines. She returned to South Kore in 2007 and signed a contract with YG Entertainment. Two years later, Dara became a member of 2NE1. Since 2NE1 disbanded in 2017, Dara has focused on her solo career.
Did You Know?
Dara is so popular in the Philippines that she has been dubbed the “BoA of the Philippines” by Korean fans due to the similar success between the two, as BoA was the first Korean artist to break through the Japanese market.
5. Park Bom (March 24, 1984 – Present)
Current Age (as of December 2021): 37 years, 9 months, 3 days
Years Active: 2005 – Present
Birth Name: Park Bom
Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
Group: N/A – Solo Artist
Position: N/A
photo source: K-Pop Wiki
Park Bom is currently a solo artist, who was a member of popular girl group 2NE1. She has been active in the industry since 2005 after she was finally accepted by YG Entertainment. Park Bom had auditioned three times before finally making the cut. After being featured on the songs of other artists for a few years, Park Bom was selected as the main vocalist of 2NE1. The group was active from 2009 – 2017.
During the last few years that 2NE1 was together, Park Bom was not very active for various reasons. In 2018, Park Bom signed with the newly established entertainment company D-Nation Entertainment and launched her solo career. Since then, Park Bom’s popularity has had a bit of resurgence and her song “Spring” debuted at number two on Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales chart in 2019.
Did You Know?
In 2014, Park Bom was under investigation for “drug smuggling” when her ADHD medication that contained amphetamines, which was prescribed by an American doctor, was sent to her in Korea. Amphetamines are illegal in Korea, but Park Bom was never charged.
4. Narsha (December 28, 1981 – Present)
Current Age (as of December 2021): 40 years
Years Active: 2006 – Present
Birth Name: Park Hyo-jin
Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
Group: Brown Eyed Girls
Position: Lead Vocalist and Lead Dancer
photo source: K-Pop Wiki
Narsha is the third oldest member of Brown Eyed Girls and she just celebrated her 40th birthday. JeA selected Narsha for Brown Eyed Girls when JeA remembered that she was a talented singer from their high school days. Brown Eyed Girls trained for three years before making their debut in 2006.
Narsha became popular among K-pop fans around 2009 when she appeared on many entertainment programs, including Heroes and Invincible Youth. The following year, Narsha released her solo album, called NARSHA. Narsha started acting in 2011 and has also appeared in many TV dramas and a few movies.
Did You Know?
Narsha was briefly a DJ on Pump Up the Volume on KBS Cool FM, but had to leave the show in late 2010 because of Brown Eyed Girls’ overseas tours.
3. Miryo (November 2, 1981 – Present)
Current Age (as of December 2021): 40 years, 1 month, 25 days
Years Active: 2000– Present
Birth Name: Jo Mi-hye
Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
Group: Brown Eyed Girls
Position: Main Rapper and Sub-Vocalist
photo source: K-Pop Wiki
Miryo is the main rapper of Brown Eyed Girls and the second youngest of the group. She is just a few months younger than JeA. Miryo has actually been active in the K-pop industry since 2000 when she was featured on a song by underground hip-hop group Honey Family. She then joined the group as its main rapper. After the group disbanded, Miryo worked with other Korean hip-hop artists before she was picked for Brown Eyed Girls. JeA picked Miryo because she was impressed by her rapping skills.
In 2012, Miryo released her solo album titled MIRYO aka JOHONEY. The album was self-produced and featured a variety of artists who ranged from idols to hip hop heavyweights.
Did You Know?
In 2012, Miryo appeared as a producer on the rap competition TV show Show Me the Money, as the only female judge.
2. JeA (September 18, 1981 – Present)
Current Age (as of December 2021): 40 years, 3 months, 9 days
Years Active: 2006 – Present
Birth Name: Kim Hyo-jin
Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
Group: Brown Eyed Girls
Position: Leader and Main Vocalist
photo source: K-Pop Wiki
JeA is the oldest member and leader of Brown Eyed Girls, a girl group that has been active since 2006. As the leader, JeA was partially responsible for creating Brown Eyed Girls and was actively involved in selecting its other members. Not too much is known about JeA before she debuted with Brown Eyed Girls. JeA did go to high school with fellow group member Narsha.
In 2013, JeA released her first solo album. She was the last member of Brown Eyed Girls to come out with a solo album.
Did You Know?
JeA began composing and writing songs for Brown Eyed Girls, starting with the groups second album. Since then, JeA has written songs for many artists as well as for her solo endeavors.
1. Uhm Jung-hwa (August 17, 1969 – Present)
Current Age (as of December 2021): 52 years, 4 months, 10 days
Years Active: 1993 – Present
Birth Name: Uhm Jung-hwa
Birthplace: Jecheon, South Korea
Group: N/A – Solo Artist
Position: N/A
photo source: K-Pop Wiki
At the age of 52 years, 4 months, and 10 days, Uhm Jung Hwa is currently the oldest female K-pop idol active in the industry. Jung-hwa started in the Korean entertainment industry way back in 1989 as a chorus member for the Munwha Broadcasting Corporation. She made her singing debut in 1993 with her first studio album Sorrowful Secret. Jung-hwa quickly became one of the top female entertainers in Korea. Due to her longevity, Jung-hwa is considered one of the most influential women in the Korean entertainment industry.
In addition to her singer career, Jung-hwa has also had a long career as an actress. Jung-hwa began focusing on her acting career in the early 2000s and has now appeared in numerous movies and TV series.
Did You Know?
In 2007, Uhm Jung-hwa launched a clothing and lingerie line, “Corner Suite” and “ZHUM in New York,” which made $10 million within three months of its release.
