NCT‘s final sub-unit, NCT WISH, is set to make their official debut on February 28 with the single “WISH”, after they made their stage debut on February 21 at the SMTOWN LIVE 2024 concert.

NCT WISH | @nctwishofficial/Twitter

The group consists of six members — Sion, Riku, Yushi, Jaehee, Ryo, and Sakuya — who are between the ages of 16 and 21, making them all the youngest members of NCT at this time. Some fans are having a hard time grasping the idea that Jisung is no longer the maknae of the entirety of NCT!

Jisung (NCT)

Now, the maknae of both NCT and NCT WISH is Sakuya, who was born on November 18, 2007, making him only a few months over 16. He’s one of the four Japanese members of the sub-unit, and was a trainee with SM Entertainment for a year before debuting.

With adorably pinchable cheeks and an overall youthful and cute appearance, many NCT fans are already feeling like protective older siblings for this young idol-to-be.

사쿠야 귀여움에 미나상 일동 술렁술렁
카와이~~ pic.twitter.com/iQ4F39Pa1V

— 21 (@dauu_m) February 22, 2024

But he’s also already proven to be incredibly talented as well, despite his young age and short training period!

#NCTWISH ‘WISH’#사쿠야 part cut. pic.twitter.com/lXlpR901tY

— (@sakuya_mozzi) February 22, 2024

240222 SMT Day2
~#사쿠야 #サクヤ #SAKUYA #NCTWISHデビューおめでとう pic.twitter.com/e4pEIgjmW3

— lovej²hnn (@Luv2hN) February 22, 2024

Since NCT WISH is planned to be the final sub-unit of NCT, it’s likely that Sakuya will remain as the group’s maknae, which means that he has 25 hyungs in the group alone, let alone the rest of SM Entertainment!

Sakuya (NCT WISH) | SM Entertainment

Here’s how K-Pop fans are reacting to the label’s newest maknae.

Make sure not to miss when Sakuya and the rest of NCT WISH debut on February 28!

 “He’s so cute but he literally looks like an elementary kid😭”