Li Yitong Reveals She Was Once Offered to Be a Trainee at SM Entertainment and Almost Debuted in Korea

Kapanlagi.com - Chinese actress, Li Yitong, has once again made the public excited after sharing her early career experiences that turned out to be full of surprises. In an interview, she revealed that she almost became a trainee at SM Entertainment, one of the largest agencies in the K-pop industry.

This story surprised many of her fans, considering Li Yitong is now known as a popular actress fully immersed in the world of acting, not as a Korean idol. This story opens another side of her life journey before achieving popularity.

1. Offered a 10-Year Trainee Contract by SM Entertainment

When she was 15–16 years old and studying at Shenzhen Arts School, Li Yitong met a talent scout from SM Entertainment. Unexpectedly, the scout offered her a 10-year trainee contract—a duration that is quite extreme even by K-pop industry standards.

Interestingly, the agency also promised that she could debut quickly as a “Chinese member” in the group The Grace. The offer certainly sounded significant and tempting, especially for a teenager her age.

However, instead of feeling happy, Li Yitong felt very hesitant. She had no interest in becoming an idol, let alone having to leave her family at such a young age.

2. The Reason Li Yitong Rejected a Big Offer from SM Entertainment

Li Yitong - instagram.com/@yitong906.li

Li Yitong's family was also worried. They questioned the safety, validity of the offer, and future risks if their daughter went abroad without any experience. This situation made Li even more determined to reject the offer.

The decision turned out to be very wise. It was later revealed that the group The Grace had debuted in 2005 and had never planned to add new members from China. The promise of a quick debut offered by the talent scout seemed indeed unrealistic.

The Yitong family's instinct to be more cautious ultimately proved to be correct.

3. Meeting Again with the Same Talent Scout the Following Year

Li Yitong - instagram.com/@yitong906.li

Several years later, when Li Yitong continued her education at the Beijing Dance Academy, she accidentally met the same SM talent scout again. The meeting surprised her because the agency's interest had not faded.

Nonetheless, Li's choice remained unchanged. She was determined to pursue her career in the arts and academics, and had no desire to endure the tough trainee life.

4. Choosing to Focus on Acting and Achieving Great Success

Li Yitong - instagram.com/@yitong906.li

After rejecting several opportunities from the K-pop industry, Li Yitong ultimately chose the path of acting. Her decision has proven to be correct. She is now known as one of the most popular young actresses in China, starring in various successful dramas and receiving much recognition.

Li Yitong stated that she is very grateful for following her heart. She prefers the path that makes her comfortable, rather than chasing opportunities that she never truly wanted from the beginning.

5. Li Yitong's Acting Career Shining Brightly in the Chinese Entertainment Industry

Li Yitong - instagram.com/@yitong906.li

After choosing to focus on the world of acting, Li Yitong's career has flourished rapidly. She began to gain public recognition after starring in popular dramas such as Demon Girl, Bloody Romance, The Legend of the Condor Heroes, Royal Nirvana, and The Dreamer in the Spring Boudoir.

Her diverse roles, ranging from gentle characters to strong female figures, demonstrate her flexible and mature acting abilities.

In addition to her dramas frequently trending, Li Yitong has also been recognized multiple times as one of the young actresses with a good reputation in China. She is known for being professional, rarely involved in controversies, and consistently showing growth in every new project.

Now, Li Yitong is considered one of the most stable and promising new-generation actresses in the Chinese entertainment industry, with an ever-growing fan base.

(kpl/chn)