Not Only Good Looks, This is the Long Process that Streetcast Participants Must Go Through Before Becoming K-Pop Idol Trainees

Kapanlagi.com - There are many ways to become a trainee who will debut as a K-Pop idol, one of which is through streetcast or street casting. Although many idols have been said to start their entertainment careers through streetcast, this method always remains a mystery to K-Pop fans. How can idols who are 'discovered' because of their looks on the street turn out to be very talented?

This big question was answered after one of Indonesia's K-Pop fans, who is also a model and YouTuber named Izzi Isman, recently had a chat with a former SM Entertainment audition judge. He explained in detail what happens after a 'potential idol' is chosen through streetcast.

SM Entertainment itself is known as an agency that has the most talented idols 'discovered' by casting agents on the streets of Seoul based on their appearances. Some of them include Seohyun Girls Generation, Jaemin NCT, and Sehun EXO.

1. Coming to the Office

credit: youtube.com/Izzi Isman

Many assume that streetcast participants receive trainee contract offers based solely on their appearance. In fact, getting an SM Entertainment business card is just the beginning of their journey. This former SM Entertainment casting agent explained that streetcast participants must come to the SM Entertainment office after receiving their initial offer.

"Previously, we usually asked them to come to COEX SM Artium [5-21]. There is a studio there. We will shoot there for a while, then go to Apgujeongdong 521, which is a famous building next to Galleria. Sometimes we also shoot there. Then Samseong-dong 52-1. Strangely, they (SM Entertainment) really like the number 521," said the former SM Entertainment audition judge as quoted from Koreaboo.

2. Check Visual

The agency asks streetcast participants to come in comfortable clothing such as fitted shirts, skinny jeans, and sneakers. Upon arrival, they must introduce themselves in front of the camera, mentioning their name, age, school, and so on.

This process sometimes isn't enough to be done just once. The former casting agent revealed that streetcast participants must continue recording their introduction videos until they become truly skilled. It seems that this process is done to ensure that they are comfortable in front of the camera in the future.

Furthermore, streetcast participants must take profile pictures from various angles: front, left, right, and full body.

3. Vocal Test

After the visual check is completed, it is now time for talent search. All streetcast participants are required to prepare 4 to 5 songs to be sung during their private auditions. The requirement is that the chosen songs by streetcast participants must have a high pitch to demonstrate their vocal range.

Then, they have to sing these chosen songs repeatedly until they are considered okay for the audition. The casting agent then selects and edits the best recordings and sends them personally to former CEO of SM Entertainment, Lee Soo Man, to ask for his opinion.

4. Dance Ability Test

The audition process is not yet over. Next, the streetcast participants have to dance. They are asked to prepare a dance first, along with the chosen songs by the casting director. Similarly, the dance videos of streetcast participants are also selected and edited to be presented to the directors of SM Entertainment in the next meeting.

"For example, if they can freestyle dance to a hip-hop song, it doesn't matter if they're not great. We just need to know that they can follow the rhythm," said the former judge of the SM Entertainment audition.

5. Recording in the Studio

Streetcast participants who show good singing abilities are then asked to come to the recording studio. In this stage, they can professionally record their best songs from the previous process.

Finally, the recording results are presented in a meeting with Lee Soo Man. Only when the former CEO considers his opinion, the casting agents start offering and signing trainee contracts.

"Even though they are streetcasted, if they really can't sing, we will let them go," said a former judge of SM Entertainment auditions.

With all the stages done to prove their talent, it's no wonder that the idols who were originally streetcast participants of SM Entertainment are now very talented, beautiful, and handsome!

(kor/rsp)