Well-deserved or premature?
Koreaboo
3 hours ago
A HYBE rookie idol is drawing attention and some concern after revealing a major personal purchase at a very young age. Recently, KATSEYE’s Yoonchae shared on a live stream that she had bought a car, explaining that the purchase was meant to motivate herself to learn how to drive.
헐 윤채 아직 운전면허 따지는 않았는데 동기부여될려고 차 샀대. 차는 있지만 운전면허를 따지 못하면 이 차를 운전하지 못하니까 pic.twitter.com/J27MO8C00v
— y🐈･･ (@yxccvks) January 31, 2026
While Yoonchae is 18 years old internationally, netizens quickly pointed out that she is not yet legally considered an adult, sparking debate about whether such a large purchase is appropriate at her age. In Korea, the legal age is 20 (internationally 19) while the legal age in America is 21. Minors are still allowed to drive, with the driving age being 16 in America and 18.
The revelation spread rapidly across online communities, with reactions sharply divided. Some netizens expressed concern alongside envy, marveling that she was able to purchase a car despite only being a year into debut.
https://x.com/DGOQ6kj2FW53359/status/2017532496800526560?s=20
“I was looking into getting hired in the entertainment industry, but everyone told me not to. Guess there’s a reason for that. Staff work f*cking hard around the clock while earning a pitiance, while celebrities are buying things like this, really gives you a reality check.”
Others rushed to defend Yoonchae, pointing out that she worked hard for her money, and that her intention was responsible rather than reckless.
More that 4000 quotes and is people hating on a fucking kid who just buy her first car whit her onw money that she get by working for years, I swear this girls can’t do anything without getting hate for no reason for real fuck this https://t.co/aQbA575tUC pic.twitter.com/kEhNoHDrAD
— M.I.A✵ⴵ || meiyok swift abrams gf|| (@meiyokstar) January 31, 2026
Still, the situation has reignited broader conversations about debuting minors, wealth, and how fame can accelerate life at an unusually young age.