actual hot takes
I have no issue with minors debuting in kpop especially GG
The rationale is simple in the entire history of kpop there have been less than 10 GG where all the members who started with the same company renewed their contract with the same company - GG have a lifespan and expiration date whether one wants to admit it or not but it happens
they grow older - get replaced with someone newer and prettier and "more" talented etc etc OR they get into acting or leave the industry or go their separate ways
and thus the earning potential of a female idol in kpop is limited and thus personally the earlier they start the more they can earn before leaving the kpop idol side of things
for example there are idols who debuted at 13 such as BOA and WY (if izone were a permanent group) assuming a 7 year standard contract they would've earned an entire lifetime worth of earnings and still be younger than the likes of Jisoo, Nayeon and Irene when they debuted
now obviously there are downsides to debuting so early - I'm not naive enough to dismiss those issues but those issues exist even if those idols debuted older