05-Liner Idols Send Sweet Wishes to Sports Kyunghyang for its 21st Anniversary!

■ 21: Facing Reality vs. Imagination

Sports Kyunghyang: Nice to meet you all! I’m Sports Kyunghyang, also born in 2005 and turning 21 this year. Everyone has fantasies about their 20s. I’m curious how the reality of being 21 differs from what you imagined.

So Jung-hwan: When I was young, I waited to become an adult, but now that I am, I’ve stopped counting the years! Haha. Back then, I imagined myself as a sophisticated adult. Now that I’m here, counting numbers feels meaningless. Instead of focusing on the age itself, I focus on the stages and experiences I have every day. I’ve become someone who lives more in the moment.

Suin: When I was little, I imagined being 21 meant eating lots of delicious food and traveling with friends. But now, I think I’m spending an even happier time than I imagined with our fans, who are as close to me as friends!

Woo-chan: I didn’t have a specific image of myself at 21 when I was younger. I just vaguely hoped I’d be promoting, releasing songs, and performing. Since I’ve joined the wonderful team All Day Project, I feel like I’m living exactly the life I vaguely imagined for my 21-year-old self.

Xinlong: Compared to what I imagined, I think I’m much happier now. I get to stand on various stages, have people cheering for me, and more people are recognizing me. I want to get a little closer to the version of myself I imagined every single day.

■ New Charms Discovered on the Threshold of Adulthood

Sports Kyunghyang: You’re all shining even more brilliantly than I imagined. I’m also curious about the new charms you’ve discovered in yourselves after becoming adults. For me, growing from a print newspaper to digital over 21 years helped me discover infinite scalability.

Young-seo: I used to be the type to be afraid of trying new things. But since debuting, I’ve tried many different concepts for photo shoots and changed up my styling. It’s surprising to me that I’ve now come to enjoy new challenges.

Yuu: For me, it’s my physique! Since I’ve done breakdancing since I was young and eat well, I have a constitution where muscle and weight gain easily. Because of that, I had a complex early in my debut because I looked big or overweight. However, I recently started body making, and I’ve begun to feel confident in my body. Even the Stray Kids seniors praised me.

Anna: I think my more natural and honest side has started to be seen as a charm. I try to show strong energy on stage, but since fans seem to love my natural side off-stage, I want to show that too! After turning 20, I feel like I’ve clearly found the direction I want in terms of style and the vibe I express.

■ The Weight of Freedom and Responsibility: Finally Becoming an Adult

Sports Kyunghyang: You’ve gained freedom, but you must also feel a heavy sense of responsibility. When do you feel like you’re truly becoming an adult? Also, do you have a bucket list you want to achieve in your 20s?

Xinlong: I try to show only my most perfect side. At the same time, I make sure the people around me don’t worry about my condition or emotions. Whenever I do that, I feel like I’m becoming a responsible adult.

Anna: In the past, I just ran toward things I liked, but now I feel like an adult when I realize that every choice I make comes with responsibility. As my fandom grows, I try to be more cautious with my attitude on stage and every word I say.

Yuu: I feel like I’ve become a bit more relaxed than when I first turned 20. Looking back, I’ve had many opportunities to meet and talk with members and new people over the past year, which served as a catalyst to expand my thinking.

Ga-won: I want to be an adult who can express my own thoughts and opinions more clearly and fluently to lead smooth communication. My personal bucket list is to complete a self-composed song. I started working on it little by little at the dorm since the beginning of the year, and I want to finish it within this year.

Suin: I want to be a “friend-like adult” who makes everyone forget their worries and laugh when they’re with me! My dream is to be an adult who is consistent, stable, comfortable, and someone people can rely on just by being there.

So Jung-hwan: I want to complete a marathon to challenge my own limits. As a team, I dream of meeting TREASURE MAKERs all over the world. I believe that process is our tour. I will do my best on this tour with the mindset of fulfilling my bucket list.

■ Congratulations to Fellow 05-Liner, Sports Kyunghyang

Sports Kyunghyang: As a fellow 05-liner media outlet, I will continue to record your shining youth without losing my sense of responsibility. Finally, please give a word of encouragement to me for my 21st anniversary!

Woo-chan: Happy 21st birthday to Sports Kyunghyang, who is the same age as me! Let’s keep growing together!

Young-seo: Sports Kyunghyang, I’m so glad we’re the same age! Let’s stay together for a long, long time!

Jae-hee: I’m also turning 21 this year. I hope Sports Kyunghyang has a wonderful year along with me. I’ll be cheering for you! Fighting!

Ga-won: Sincere congratulations on turning 21! Since you’ve been with so many people for a long time, I believe your future will shine even more. I’ll be rooting for Sports Kyunghyang to continue being a source of strength for many people.

Anna: Sincere congratulations on Sports Kyunghyang’s 21st anniversary! I hope your new beginning at 21 is always sparkling and full of happy events!

Suin: Happy 21st birthday, Sports Kyunghyang! MEOVV will continue to support you just as we do now!

Yuu: First of all, sincere congratulations on turning 21! It’s amazing that we were born in the same year. I hope we can stay together through age 22, 23, and all the way to 30!

Xinlong: Sincere congratulations on the 21st anniversary of Sports Kyunghyang’s founding. I hope we can stay together for a long time, just as we have until now.

So Jung-hwan: Maybe because we’re the same age, it feels more welcoming and friendly, like meeting an old friend. Sincere congratulations on the 21st anniversary of Sports Kyunghyang! I pray that the future of everyone who turned 21 this year, like me and Sports Kyunghyang, is filled with only happy things.

Sports Kyunghyang: Thank you everyone! I passionately support the 20s of our ’05-liners’ who will shine most brilliantly on their respective stages.