Lee Haru wrote RIIZE's title track at the age of 16.

The perspective on the children of stars is changing. While their parents' names used to come first, recently, the results achieved by the children themselves are being highlighted first. Lee Haru, the daughter of Tablo and Kang Hye-jung, has listed her name as "Haru Lee" in the songwriting credits for RIIZE's second mini-album title track, 'Do your dance.' Meanwhile, Jun-jae, the fourth son of Im Chang-jung, drew attention by passing the audition for the 54th class of the Seoul Arts Center Music Young Talent Academy. These scenes suggest that simply calling them "children of famous parents" is no longer enough to explain them.

Lee Haru: From a TV Child to a Songwriter

Lee Haru is a face familiar to the public, having appeared on the KBS2 parenting variety show 'The Return of Superman' from 2013 to 2014. Now a high school student, Haru is no longer just a "virtual niece" on variety shows but is making a name for herself as a musical creator. RIIZE's 'Do your dance' is registered with vocals by RIIZE, composition by David Wilson, Gino Borri, and Cyrus Villanueva, and lyrics by Haru Lee. The fact that a single lyricist's name appears in this 2-minute 57-second uptempo dance track is significant.

The reason this part is interesting is not merely because of the modifier "Tablo's daughter." Tablo is a musician who has long demonstrated a unique sense of wordplay and sentence structure as a rapper and lyricist for Epik High. While it cannot be concluded that Haru is following the exact same path, the fact that she has placed her name in the credits of a K-pop title track already transcends the scope of a hobby or a family talking point. In particular, an idol title track is a song that defines the team's image and direction. The inclusion of a teenage songwriter's name in such a track has captured the interest of fans.

Im Chang-jung's Son Jun-jae: Piano Skills Confirmed Through Audition Success

Im Chang-jung's fourth son, Jun-jae, also made his name known in a different way. Jun-jae, an elementary school student majoring in piano, is known to have passed the selection process for the 54th class of the 2026 Seoul Arts Center Music Young Talent Academy. This process was conducted through an in-person audition on May 31, where the instrumental category required a performance of one classical free piece. The successful applicants were announced on June 16 at 5 PM, and registration for new students took place from June 17 to 18.

The selection fields for the 54th class are divided into piano, violin, cello, flute, clarinet, horn, trumpet, and composition. Students from 2nd to 5th grade can apply for piano and violin, and selected students gain stage experience through major lessons, theory classes, improvement concerts, and Music Young Talent Academy concerts. This is why Jun-jae's success is particularly noteworthy: it is news confirmed by the results of an actual audition, rather than just the fame of his parents.

Results Must Come Before Parents' Names

News regarding the second generation of stars must always be handled with care. While it is true that the parents' names draw interest, that interest does not immediately serve as a certificate of the child's ability. Conversely, it is also unfair to dismiss all achievements simply because they are the children of celebrities. In Lee Haru's case, there is a released music credit, and in Jun-jae's case, there are public audition schedules and passing procedures. What is important in this news is precisely those verifiable results.

The sight of children remembered by the public growing up to make names for themselves in their respective fields is a common theme in entertainment news. However, a good article should not stop at the phrase "child of [someone]." For Haru, the next point of verification is what other songs she will write; for Jun-jae, it is what kind of performer he will grow into through the stage and his studies. A parent's halo can illuminate the starting line, but a name that lasts is ultimately determined by the results the individual creates.