If you've spent any time in the K-pop corner of the internet lately, you've probably seen the name Lee Heeseung. He's the guy people call the "Ace" of ENHYPEN, and for good reason. But there is always this weird cloud of confusion floating around one very simple question: how old is Heeseung?
It sounds like a straightforward Google search, right? Well, sort of. Between the way South Korea used to calculate age and the way fans track birthdays across different time zones, the number you see on a wiki page might not actually match the one fans are celebrating today.
Let's clear the air. As of today, January 15, 2026, Heeseung is 24 years old. He was born on October 15, 2001. That makes him a Libra and a "01 liner" in K-pop speak. If you’re a newer fan trying to keep track of the group’s hierarchy, he is the eldest member of ENHYPEN. He’s the hyung (older brother figure) to the other six, though if you watch their variety content, he often acts more like the chaotic younger sibling.
The Heeseung Age Confusion: Why It Happens
Honestly, the biggest reason people get tripped up is the "Korean Age" system. For decades, South Korea had a unique way of counting age where you were 1 the moment you were born, and everyone aged up on New Year’s Day.
However, the South Korean government officially scrapped that system in June 2023. They moved to the international standard to avoid administrative headaches. But old habits die hard. In many interviews or older variety clips from the I-LAND era (2020), you’ll hear Heeseung referred to as being older than he actually was by Western standards.
When he debuted in November 2020, he was just 19. Back then, under the old system, people called him 20 or even 21 depending on the month. It’s a mess.
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Today, it's simpler. He’s 24. No extra math required.
A Timeline of the "Ace" Journey
Heeseung didn't just wake up as the oldest member of one of the biggest 4th-gen boy groups. His path was actually pretty high-stakes. He trained at Big Hit Music (now HYBE) for over three years before even appearing on the survival show I-LAND.
Think about that. He was a trainee alongside the members of TXT. There’s a lot of lore among fans about how he almost debuted with them. Instead, he took the risk of going back into the trainee pool and competing on a reality show.
- 2016: Joined Big Hit Music as a trainee.
- 2020: Entered I-LAND at age 18 (turning 19 during the show).
- November 30, 2020: Officially debuted with ENHYPEN.
- 2026: Leading the group through their massive world tours as a 24-year-old veteran.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Role
Because he’s the oldest, people often assume he’s the "Leader" of the group. He’s not. That role belongs to Jungwon.
Heeseung actually turned down the leadership role during the group’s formation. He felt that being the oldest and the leader might make the other members feel too much pressure or find him unapproachable. It was a pretty mature move for a guy who was barely out of his teens at the time. He preferred to be the "Ace"—the guy who could hit the high notes, center the choreography, and give advice without the formal title.
Fast Facts You Probably Actually Want to Know
If you're here, you probably care about more than just a birth year. Here is the quick rundown of the specifics that define Heeseung right now:
The Vocals and the "Perfect Pitch"
One of the reasons he stands out is his "absolute pitch." It’s a rare musical ability where someone can identify or recreate a musical note without a reference tone. He’s been seen tuning the group’s live performances just by ear. At 24, his vocal range has only gotten more stable since the Border: Day One days.
Education and "Real Life"
Heeseung graduated from Gwangnam High School. Despite the insane schedule of a global idol, he’s been pursuing a degree in Broadcasting and Entertainment through an online university. It’s a common path for idols, but balancing that with world tours isn't exactly easy.
The Personality Shift
If you look at his MBTI history, it’s moved around. He’s been an INTP and an INFJ at different points. Basically, he’s an introvert who has learned how to be a massive stage presence. Fans (ENGENEs) often point out how he’s gone from a very serious, high-pressure trainee to a 24-year-old who is much more comfortable being "weird" and funny on camera.
Why 24 Is a Big Year for Him
In the K-pop world, your mid-20s are usually when you hit your creative peak. We're seeing Heeseung get more involved in songwriting and production. He’s no longer just the "talented trainee" from the survival show; he’s a seasoned performer who has spent a decade (counting his training years) in the industry.
He often talks about his father being his biggest role model. That groundedness is probably why he doesn't seem to have the "oldest child" ego you might expect. He’s just a guy who likes basketball, ramen, and sleeping whenever he gets a five-minute break.
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Your Next Steps to Stay Updated
If you’re trying to keep up with Heeseung’s latest projects or any changes in his career, you shouldn't just rely on static wiki pages. They are notoriously slow to update.
- Check the Weverse app for his direct posts; he’s pretty active there.
- Watch his "Daily Heeseung" vlogs on YouTube for a look at his life behind the scenes.
- Follow the official ENHYPEN Twitter/X and Instagram accounts for tour dates and comeback announcements.
Knowing his age is just the starting point. The real story is how he's using those 24 years of experience to shape the sound of modern K-pop. Keep an eye on his solo covers too—his version of "Off My Face" is still a fan favorite for a reason.