No article on is complete without addressing the societal pressures and mental health crisis.

Consider members of groups like or NewJeans' Hyein . At 18, they are no longer the "baby" of the group. Their content shifts from cute variety show appearances to high-fashion editorial shoots and solo brand deals.

The 18-year-old girl is a staple protagonist in K-Dramas, often portrayed by slightly older actresses, but the themes remain specific to this age.

The most disruptive aspect of is that many of these girls are no longer waiting for TV stations. They are the MZ Generation (Millennial + Gen Z), and they are creating their own media.