Kim Jiyong of upcoming Starship Entertainment boy group AEN went viral after breaking down in tears during a recent hi-touch event with fans.
The 22-year-old idol trained under the agency since 2019 and appeared on the survival show Debut Plan before joining AEN. His seven years of preparation stood out as he met supporters face to face for the first time at the group’s “First Encounter” showcase.
Videos of Jiyong crying near the end of the hi-touch session spread rapidly on Japanese Twitter and other platforms, with one clip surpassing 10 million views. Fans expressed heartbreak over his long journey while celebrating that his debut is finally approaching.
AEN, a Japanese-Korean act, is scheduled to debut on August 8 after pre-debut activities began this summer. The group’s name was revealed on June 1 following an earlier announcement from Starship Entertainment.
