Famous Dance Coach Shares Harsh Reality Of Kpop Apprentices, Netizens Respond
A famous kpop dance coach has revealed the harsh reality of trainees failing to make their debut.
In Ji Woong, a kpop idol dance coach, gave an interview to News1 where he explained what happens to trainees who can’t debut.
In Ji Woong Ji Woong says there are exceptions, but he said that although K-pop’s competitiveness is driving the industry’s success, it’s painful for him to see some of the apprentices graduate. ︎
Apprentices, according to the trainer, usually train for years before making their debut.
This varies from company to company but typically trainees train for 7-8 years before being promoted to a pre-start team where they train for another 1-2 years before making their debut.
The dance coach revealed how tough the competition is for future idols, if only to become apprentices.
He explained: “This industry is a pyramid. There are many applicants who don’t even become trainees. When a major label organizes an audition, we receive up to 10,000 applications. »
Ji Woong revealed that once a prospect becomes an apprentice, it doesn’t get any easier.
He explained : “When you pass the tough competition and become an intern, start by joining the program. You have no more freedom. You can’t even go to the supermarket alone. In a time of value formation, you spend your days with Unnis and Oppas, who dropped out of school and are on a diet. »
The dance coach then revealed the harsh reality that awaits those who never had the opportunity to debut. According to In Ji Woong, many trainees find themselves in unfortunate situations.
︎
“There are many apprentices who never make their debut after 7 or 8 years of training. Those with a purpose find another career path, but those foolish enough to do what they’re told usually don’t end well. They’ve never been to college, their values aren’t strong, and they lack common sense. » he said.
“You’re asking yourself, ‘What should I do now? For those who can’t sing or dance, there really isn’t anything else for them. Some end up becoming severely depressed and make poor decisions, or fall prey to the adult entertainment industry. » he explained.
Ji Woong added: “There are many who live well. There is someone who has become a famous dancer. Because the idol industry is a pyramid, K-pop can compete internationally, but it hurts me to see it. »
That too closed:“There are apprentices who are more beautiful and talented but can never debut because their image doesn’t match that of the group. Because there are so many factors that decide a person’s debut, it is said that “idols are sent from heaven.” »
The coach’s words caught the attention of netizens, who shared:
I think it’s a problem that we see idols as commodities that you can sell and buy. This allows companies to release inferior “products” in hopes that audiences will buy them, creating a situation where far too many idols are produced who never set foot on a stage. Big companies are more selective about what they post and do the right market research to see what the public wants and is willing to buy…
Even after you start, your success is not necessarily guaranteed. Becoming like BTS or BlackPink is an important minority case. Most debuts don’t even get etched by the public and they slowly fade before they get a chance…
I personally think the biggest victim of the idol market system is Sulli. Months before she left us, she said on Insta live that she didn’t know how to do her laundry or clean her own house because a cleaning lady came to do everything. I was shocked when I heard that. She was 26 at the time. Considering she debuted when she was 9-10 and slept alone as a kid before debuting f(x), she hardly ever had a childhood or memories of her own. ….
The things I’ve felt as an Idol fan for a long time are basically all expressed here in this video. Idols are criticized for the money they make. Considering how “active” they have to be for their job, they don’t get paid much by the hour. I agree 100% that being an idol in the top 1% doesn’t make as much money as any other industry in the top 1%.
Companies need to stop taking so much liberty. You should be allowed to go into convenience stores, or at least explain why you don’t want to visit them and allow them to make more informed choices. Personally, I think the idol system has more pros than cons as it gives them the opportunity to debut. Most parents cannot afford the expense these companies pay to educate these idols.
Irene debuted at 24 because she’s pretty… If she was just a pretty voice with no visuals at 24, she never would have debuted. There are plenty of good singers in their twenties…
As a 15-year-old SHINee fan, I agree on many points here. SHINee have gained a lot of experience and age and are finally able to drive nice cars and live in nice houses now that they are in their thirties, but that wasn’t the case before ㅎㅎ. People have become more forgiving of idols in the third and fourth generations, but it’s still a profession with a great lack of freedom, in which you are forced to do what your company tells you to do. You basically have to sit and persevere until you reach a level of experience where you have more freedom. It sucks to watch this as a fan ㅠㅠ…
I really think to call the idols” are sent from heaven is perfect because even after their debut they still face an uncertain future, a lot of judgement, sexualization etc…and still have to find themselves and develop an identity amidst all this scrutiny…it’s really a task carried out by the heaven is consecrated. They are basically submitting to the crudest form of capitalism, and it is cruel that such young children should learn all this.
It’s true, idols are heaven-ordained people. I can’t imagine the misery of working and suffering so much just to make it, not gain popularity and disappear;
So I think Jang Wonyoung is doing the right thing. She hides her struggles. She started at 15 and only came of age this year… I can’t imagine the strength and resilience it took her to get to this point in her career.
Definitely something everyone who dreams of becoming an idol should listen to
Basically, to become an idol you have to accept that you won’t have a private life.
What do you think?
