10 Super Popular K-Pop Idols Who Have Gone Through a Very Long Trainee Period

Kapanlagi.com - Achieving success and fame can be said to be the dream of most K-Pop idols. However, to get there, they must first participate in auditions held by agencies.

If they pass, going through a trainee period becomes one of the mandatory processes they must follow. Sadly, this trainee period is not only difficult, but it also does not guarantee when they can debut.

These K-Pop idols are lucky to have achieved popularity and fame after going through a very long trainee period. Who are they?

1. RM BTS

credit via Big Hit Entertainment

Having a big name together with his group, BTS, RM is known as one of the best leaders in the K-Pop industry. Interestingly, before reaching the peak of fame like now, RM BTS underwent 4 years of trainee period, the longest among all members, at Big Hit Entertainment.

Initially, he was projected to debut as a rapper duo with Iron, but later it was decided for him to join the debut lineup with BTS and succeed as it is now.

2. Seulgi Red Velvet

credit via SM Entertainment

Before debuting with Red Velvet, Seulgi had already undergone trainee period since middle school in 2007, around the time when Girls Generation debuted. In total, Seulgi underwent 7 years of trainee period before finally debuting with Irene, Joy, Yeri, and Wendy. Seulgi is often referred to as a triple threat, due to her amazing singing, dancing, and visual abilities.

3. G-Dragon BIGBANG

credit via YG Entertainment

Dubbed as the King of K-Pop, G-Dragon apparently also underwent a long trainee period. In total, he has been a trainee for 11 years, with 5 years in SM Entertainment and 6 years in YG Entertainment.

Initially, G-Dragon was planned to debut as a duo with Taeyang, but it was later decided to debut as part of BIGBANG, one of the most successful K-Pop idols in history.

4. Jihyo TWICE

credit via JYP Entertainment

Jihyo TWICE underwent a 10-year trainee period, starting from when she was 8 years old. It can be said that she spent a lot of her childhood as a trainee.

Now she has become the leader of one of the most successful girl groups in Korea. Even Taecyeon from 2PM and Seulong from 2AM were surprised that the little child who used to run around in the practice room has now succeeded as a K-Pop idol.

5. Jennie BLACKPINK

credit via YG Entertainment

Jennie started as a trainee at YG Entertainment in 2010, making her the first member of BLACKPINK to join the agency. In 2012, Jennie attracted a lot of attention as she was set to debut as the second girl group of YG Entertainment, following the success of 2NE1.

She also collaborated on G-Dragon's album. After 6 years of training, Jennie has now become one of the brightest K-Pop idol members in the world, BLACKPINK.

6. S.Coups SEVENTEEN

credit: as tagged.

S.Coups underwent 6 years of training before debuting with SEVENTEEN. His training period was the longest compared to other members of SEVENTEEN. In fact, S.Coups was the first male trainee of Pledis Entertainment.

In fact, he was initially projected to debut with NU'EST. However, fate had other plans, and he has now successfully become the leader of the Hip-Hop Unit and the leader of SEVENTEEN.

7. Chaeryeong ITZY

credit via JYP Entertainment

The group is indeed a newcomer, but ITZY is one of the quickly rising K-Pop idols. One of its members, Chaeryeong, even participated in the SIXTEEN competition with her sister, which resulted in TWICE's debut.

Unfortunately, Chaeryeong did not make it into TWICE's debut lineup. However, she continued as a trainee at JYP Entertainment and eventually succeeded in debuting with ITZY.

8. Johnny NCT

credit as tagged

Johnny is not only a member who underwent training at NCT but also at SM Entertainment. He first joined SM Entertainment in 2008, which coincided with SHINee's debut.

Johnny also trained with the members of EXO. He felt unready for debut in 2012, but after nine years of training, Johnny finally successfully debuted with NCT 127 in 2017.

9. Yeonjun TXT

credit via Big Hit Entertainment

Although born in 1999, Yeonjun is one of the K-Pop idols who underwent a very long trainee period. In fact, he has been a trainee at Big Hit Entertainment since BTS debuted in 2013.

It's no wonder that he is often referred to as the legendary trainee of Big Hit Entertainment, as he is also talented in singing, dancing, and rapping.

However, his efforts as a trainee paid off, as Yeonjun successfully debuted with Tomorrow X Together or TXT. This new K-Pop idol has also won many awards and is dubbed as a monster rookie.

10. JB and Jinyoung GOT7

credit via JYP Entertainment

Last but not least, there are JB and Jinyoung from GOT7. They are among the members of GOT7 who underwent the longest trainee period. In fact, JB and Jinyoung were only two out of 10,000 participants who auditioned for JYP Entertainment. 

That's why they were initially projected to debut together as a duo. Although they eventually debuted with GOT7, JB and Jinyoung also released music together as a unit called JJ Project.

Among these K-Pop idols, do you have any favorites or biases, KLovers?

(kly/tmi)