[Sportschosun reporter Park Ara] A young man who once drew attention as a political newcomer has now stepped onto a new stage as an idol member.
Oh Shinhaeng, who ran as the youngest candidate in the Muan County Council election in South Jeolla Province, is now making headlines again after securing his debut through a major Japanese audition program.
According to local political circles on the 15th, Oh recently finished the final stage of the Japanese audition program Produce 101 Japan: New World and placed fourth overall, earning a spot in the debut lineup.
In particular, Oh was selected as a member of the new boy group KO1KEYZ alongside Korean contestant Park Si-young, drawing even more attention. The group is set to debut simultaneously in South Korea and Japan in the fall of 2026 and begin full-scale activities.
What has made Oh even more notable is his unusual background. He ran as a county council candidate for District B in Muan County, South Jeolla Province, in the 8th Nationwide Local Elections held in 2022, attracting attention as one of the youngest candidates in the country.
At the time, he was 18 and challenged the political establishment with youth policy reform as one of his main pledges. Although he was not elected, he became a topic of conversation for entering politics at such a young age.
His father, Oh Won-ok, also ran in the same election, creating the unusual case of a father and son both entering the race. Both fell short, but the son later turned to the entertainment industry in search of a new dream, changing the direction of his life.
Upon hearing the news of his son’s debut, Oh Won-ok reportedly offered his support, saying, "I hope he does his best on the path he chose and becomes a responsible person."
tokkig@sportschosun.com
