K-Audition program UNDER FIFTEEN is set to air on March 31st, but viewers aren’t having it. | @crea_under15_official/Instagram The show was created to form a young 5th generation K-Pop group and capitalize on the trend of debuting young idols. UNDER FIFTEEN is the world’s first audition to discover K-pop prodigies under the age of 15. Among the […]
Faces Revealed: 21 Trainees To Participate In Starship Entertainment’s Survival Show To Make “NewKids”
Amid some backlash, Starship Entertainment is moving forward with its search for the next K-Pop idols—a boy group dubbed NewKids for now. Starship Entertainment Teases New Group’s Debut — Gets Hit With Backlash On March 8, 2025 (KST), NewKids’ Instagram was updated with the “profiles” of the 21 trainees who will be participating in Debut’s Plan, […]
How BLACKPINK’s Lisa Took Care Of BABYMONSTER’s Thai Members When They Were Trainees
BLACKPINK‘s Lisa has been in the K-Pop industry for a long time and, even before debuting in 2016, moved to Korea from Thailand to achieve her dreams. Past photos of the idol’s interactions with YG Entertainment‘s newest idols, BABYMONSTER, have netizens praising her true personality. BLACKPINK’s Lisa | @lalalalisa_m/Instagram YG Entertainment debuted BABYMONSTER in April […]
Gender Nonconforming Trainee’s Viral Visuals Rival Those Of Girl Group Members
Recently, the survival program ChuangAsia 2 began to air. The sequel to ChuangAsia Thailand, which debuted the girl group GEN1ES, ChuangAsia 2 features male trainees attempting to make the debut group. The show features an all-star cast of mentors, including SEVENTEEN’s THE8 and GOT7’s BamBam. The cast of trainees already has some familiar faces, including […]
Netizens Baffled By The Ages Of Male Trainees Under Lee Soo Man’s New Label
A2O Entertainment, the new venture of former SM Entertainment CEO Lee Soo Man, recently introduced its seven male trainees through a music video. The members performed a Chinese remake of H.O.T’s hit song “CANDY.” So far, A2O Entertainment hasn’t divulged much information about its trainees, except that they are divided into four age groups: High […]
How BOYNEXTDOOR Used Ramyun To Lower The Scales During Weight Checks As Trainees
BOYNEXTDOOR went through the harsh K-Pop trainee system just like any other hopeful. This includes weekly check-ins for their weight and physique! The boys were assigned personal training sessions to help build their muscle mass and lower their body fat percentage. For them, it was not so much about their overall weight, but more about […]
Do K-Pop Trainees Get Plastic Surgery? Ex Trainee Spills The Truth
K-Pop trainees undergo a rigorous training schedule, but do they undergo plastic surgery even before debuting? Former K-Pop trainee Naomi spilled the details on plastic surgery, beauty treatments, procedures, and more. BLACKPINK as trainees | YG Entertainment Trainees would go to the dermatologists every few weeks, but those with skin issues would go more often. […]
BTS’s Performance Director Enraged At The Way Trainees Are Practicing
Son Sung Deuk, more widely known as BTS’s performance director, gained attention for his statement on Netflix’s documentary series Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE. | HYBE x Geffen Records On the show, experts from Korea and the U.S. evaluated the 20 candidates based on dance, vocals, visual performance, star quality, and attitude. | Netflix During the […]
Public Divided Over High-Profile Trainee’s Upcoming Debut With THE BLACK LABEL
Ella Gross once went viral as “Little Jennie,” when fans discovered the young child model on Instagram. She was soon snapped up by The Black Label, flying back and forth between Korea and USA for training and model activities. Fans were pleased to see her revealed as a member of the company’s newest girl group, […]
5 Extreme (And Unhealthy) Things K-Pop Trainees Do To Lose Weight
A former K-Pop trainee recently revealed the extremely dangerous lengths that K-Pop trainees endure in hopes of losing weight. Sometimes, their weights would be recorded every day or once a month at their monthly evaluation, so they always had to be ready for an impromptu weigh-in. These dangerous weight loss methods can have unhealthy side […]
Source Music Called Out For Irresponsible Behavior Towards Young Trainees
In an article by Sports World on July 24, 2024, NewJeans Minji‘s mother spoke up about the harsh treatment her daughter endured from Source Music as a young trainee. What caught the eye of the public was Source Music’s irresponsibiilty and indifference towards the futures of their young trainees. While Minji had been a trainee […]
What Are The 4 Trainees YG Entertainment Once Called “Future 2NE1” Doing 12 Years Later?
Over a decade ago, in July 2012, YG Entertainment released a video showcasing four trainees known as “Future 2NE1“. The video showed the girls’ dance talent together as well as one of the trainee’s vocal skills, and it was easy to see that all of them were incredibly talented! Despite their extended training period at YG […]
Shocking Report After Army Trainee’s Sudden Death Exposes Fatal Discipline Exercise
Following the tragic death of an army trainee during military discipline training, investigations have suggested that the circumstances in which the trainee passed away may hint at non-compliance with army regulations. According to a statement by the South Korean Army, six trainees were undergoing military training at a unit in Gangwon Province on May 23 […]
Two Idol Trainees Are Going Viral After Leading Their Sasaeng Fans Straight To The Police
Two idol trainees are going viral after a video was shared of them leading sasaengs (Korean term for an obsessive fan who acts in ways that invade the privacy of celebrities). While the term sasaeng has been used for Korean acts, EXO had many experiences, including a sasaeng hiring an identical van to the one they use When […]
The Small K-Pop Company That’s Giving Something To Their Trainees That Even Larger Agencies Don’t
A small entertainment agency is making waves online for their unique system. Ryud, the co-founder of Hi-Hat Entertainment and a renowned choreographer in his own right, announced that their trainees will not be in any financial burden after their debut. In an interview on Naver regarding their upcoming girl group, he revealed that the company […]
BABYMONSTER’s Members Reveal How Long They Were Trainees
Though their original debut might have been a met with lukewarm responses back in November 2023 with the digital single “Batter Up”, BABYMONSTER has been getting more positive responses after their seven-member comeback with Ahyeon. The album BABYMONS7ER and accompanying title track “SHEESH” have been performing well for the rookie group, and their live performances have left netizens’ […]
BABYMONSTER’s Length Of Time As Trainees Become A Hot Topic Online — Netizens React
BABYMONSTER‘s trainee periods have become a hot topic online. The members of BABYMONSTER | YG Entertainment After re-debuting with “SHEESH,” BABYMONSTER are constantly going viral for their amazing live vocals during performances. [Video could not be displayed] [Video could not be displayed] [Video could not be displayed] During a recent appearance, BABYMONSTER revealed how long […]
“I-Land 2” Trainees Perform LE SSERAFIM’s “Unforgiven,” Netizens React
Netizens recently reacted to a performance of LE SSERAFIM‘s “Unforgiven” by survival show contestants. LE SSERAFIM | Source Music I-Land 2 aired its first episode recently, introducing the 24 contestants competing to debut in a new girl group under WakeOne Entertainment. This first episode involved the trainees performing songs to be ranked and sorted for future […]
RIIZE’s Shotaro Was Given A Unique Role Upon Meeting His Future Members As Trainees
RIIZE is an SM Entertainment boy group who made headlines pre-debut when their initial member lineup was revealed. Two members, Sungchan and Shotaro, were from NCT. The latter was even a professional dancer prior to debuting in the K-Pop group. The two later debuted again, this time in RIIZE, in 2023. In the 19th episode […]
GOT7’s BamBam And Mark Lived A Secret Life As Trainees That None Of The Staff Knew About
GOT7‘s BamBam hosts his own YouTube show called BamHouse. Recently, fellow member Mark was featured on a Special Episode where they reminisced about their past as trainees. GOT7’s BamBam and Mark | @bam_house_/Instagram The two entered JYP Entertainment as foreigners who did not go to in-person school like the rest of the trainees. As such, […]
THE BLACK LABEL Makes Ambiguous Statement Regarding Chaebol Trainee’s Future
THE BLACK LABEL remained mum about their Chaebol trainee. Annie Moon | theqoo On February 6, JTBC reported about THE BLACK LABEL’s upcoming girl group. Earlier, the label confirmed it would be debuting a new girl group in the first half of 2024. THE BLACK LABEL Confirms Plans For Girl Group Debut In First Half […]
Former Idol Says Young Trainees Were Given A “Diet Award” By Their Company
It is common knowledge that K-Pop idols are often expected to achieve hard-to-reach beauty standards. This includes maintaining a low body weight and appearing as skinny as possible. Former member of MOMOLAND Daisy recently talked about her experience with this diet culture as a trainee. Daisy | @daisiesforyu/Instagram In a TikTok shared on her account, […]
“Sexual Violence, Forced Weight Loss And Plastic Surgery” — How Seoul Plans To Protect Young K-Pop Trainees
In a move to safeguard the wellbeing of young idol trainees, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has established a groundbreaking legal framework. This initiative addresses the longstanding issue of physical and mental health risks faced by teenagers in the highly competitive entertainment industry. The Council has successfully passed the “Seoul Metropolitan Youth Culture and Arts Rights […]
BTS’s RM And V Graduate As Elite Military Trainees— Here Are The Requirements To Be Chosen
BTS’s RM and V were spotted at the military graduation ceremony among the only six elite graduate trainees recognized for their expectational performance! In the videos shared online, you can see them receiving their awards! 뷔랑 알엠 최정예훈련병으로 뽑혀서 상받는 걸 봐서 공유합니다ㅎㅎ pic.twitter.com/1L8pJMQPEp — 빈짱이 (@jloverbin) January 16, 2024 Even in the military they […]
A New Male K-Pop Group Is Set To Debut With Two North Korean Trainees — Netizens React
It seems like K-Pop is set to make history by debuting idols who are former North Korean citizens. The only time North Korea and South Korea met for K-Pop was when Red Velvet performed there in 2018. Well, it seems like K-Pop might be about to make history as a new group is set to […]