A candid discussion among K-pop leaders on the YouTube talk show The Small Talk Club provided a rare window into the heavy weight of guiding a major idol group. The episode featured four generations of leaders: Sechs Kies’ Eun Ji-won, EXO’s Suho, SEVENTEEN’s S.Coups, and BOYNEXTDOOR’s Jaehyun.
Screengrab: ch_bandal/YouTube
During the broadcast, the group tackled the pressures of team dynamics, starting with a hypothetical question: “Would you rather be the youngest in another group or the youngest in your own group?”
The conversation naturally shifted toward the immense responsibilities carried by group leaders—especially those tasked with keeping large teams unified over long careers.
S.Coups offered insight into SEVENTEEN’s sustained unity, acknowledging the hidden pressures on the group’s youngest member, Dino.
”Even if the 12 older members are nice, it must still be tough,” S.Coups shared. “If the oldest and youngest play their roles well, the team seems to run smoothly,” the SEVENTEEN leader added, outlining his personal core philosophy for group longevity.
This approach earned high praise from the other hosts. BOYNEXTDOOR’s Jaehyun noted that younger idols view SEVENTEEN as a “textbook group” for maintaining seamless teamwork, while first-generation veteran Eun Ji-won echoed the sentiment.
“There’s no one right way, but looking at what you’ve done so far, your method was the right one… Having 13 members together for more than 10 years is not easy. You’ve done really well,” Ji-won said.
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Listening to the praise for SEVENTEEN’s intact 13-member lineup prompted EXO’s Suho to openly reflect on his own path since debuting in 2012.
“There’s something I sometimes regret,” Suho confessed. “I wonder if I should have led like S.Coups.”
The honest admission highlighted the distinct challenges Suho faced throughout EXO’s history. Initially debuting as a 12-member group, EXO was restructured into a nine-member lineup following the exits of Kris, Luhan, and Tao, followed by hiatuses in full-group promotions due to mandatory military service and individual pursuits.
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Seeing Suho look back on those turbulent years, Eun Ji-won offered immediate reassurance.
“You’ve led EXO in your own way all this time,” Ji-won said.
Despite Suho’s lingering self-reflection, his open conversation underscored a fundamental truth of the K-pop industry: every group’s journey is unique, and leadership demands adapt to the distinct circumstances each generation faces.
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