Four years ago, Osin Haeng (22), who ran as the youngest county council candidate in the 8th nationwide local elections, is debuting as an idol after appearing on a Japanese audition program. Having stood before voters as an 18-year-old candidate, this time the debut lineup was decided through an audition that reflected fan votes, and he made the cut.
According to the music industry on the 16th, Oh recently placed fourth in the final live broadcast of the Japanese audition program "PRODUCE 101 JAPAN 新世界." Oh is set to promote as a member of the 12-member boy band KO1KEYZ.
KO1KEYZ is scheduled to debut simultaneously in Korea and Japan this fall. The final debut lineup includes 12 members: Kato Daiki, Yada Yoshiki, Park Si-young, Oh Sin-haeng, Goto Yuki, Yanagiya Issa, Ono Keito, Abe Yura, Iizuka Ryoga, Sugiyama Ryuji, Terui Kosuke, and Hamada Towa. The Korean contestants are Park Si-young, who finished third, and Oh, who finished fourth.
With news of Oh's debut, his foray into politics four years ago is also drawing renewed attention. In the 2022 8th nationwide local elections, he ran as an independent in Muan County Council electoral district B in South Jeolla. It was the first local election held after the Public Official Election Act was revised to lower the minimum age of candidacy for National Assembly members, heads of local governments, and local council members from 25 to 18.
Oh entered the race at 18 and drew attention as the youngest candidate. Then a student in the fashion and apparel department at Mokpo National University, he campaigned on youth policy. He pledged youth culture vouchers, a youth assembly, and support for youth stock investment funds, among other youth-related promises. Oh received 990 votes in the district, a 5.88% share. His father, Oh Won-ok, also ran in the same district, drawing attention as a father-and-son bid. Neither was elected.
Even before debut, KO1KEYZ, which Oh joined, announced a global schedule. They will appear at KCON LA 2026 in the United States in Aug., and hold fan meetings in two Japanese cities from Aug. to Sept. In Nov., they plan to meet domestic fans at a Seoul fan meeting.