Celebrity Dance Trainer Shares The Harsh Realities Of Trainees Who Never Get To Debut
A famous idol dance trainer revealed the harsh reality of trainees who aren’t able to debut.
Former idol dance trainer In Ji Woong spoke in an interview with News1, where he shared what happens to trainees who never get to debut.
According to In Ji Woong, idol trainees usually train for years before ever debuting.
It’s different for every company, but usually, trainees train for 7-8 years before they are promoted to a pre-debut team in which they train for another 1-2 years before debuting.
— In Ji Woong
The dance trainer revealed how competitive it is for prospective trainees to even become a trainee.
This industry is also a pyramid. There are many (prospectives) who don’t even become trainees. When a large label holds an audition, we receive up to 10,000 submissions.
— In Ji Woong
In Ji Woong revealed once a prospect becomes a trainee, it doesn’t get any easier.
If you break through the fierce competition and become a trainee, you begin the process of being commoditized. You don’t have any freedom. You can’t even go to the convenience store alone. In a time when you are forming your values, you spend your days with unnies and oppas who drop out and are dieting.
— In Ji Woong
The dance trainer then revealed the harsh reality that awaits those who never get to debut. According to In Ji Woong, many of the trainees end up in unfortunate situations.
There are many idols who never get to debut after training for 7-8 years. Those that have a purpose find a different career path, but those stupid enough to have done what they were told usually don’t end up well. They never went to college, their values aren’t strong, and they lack common sense.
More than anything, many ask, ‘What do I do now?’ For those who aren’t able to sing or dance, there is really nothing left for them. Some end up getting severely depressed and make bad decisions, or they fall prey to the adult entertainment industry.
— In Ji Woong
In Ji Woong does say that there are exceptions but stated that although K-Pop’s competitiveness is what ultimately drives the success of the industry, it pains for him to see how some trainees end up. The dancer finishes by stating how rare it is for a trainee to debut.
There are many who live well. There is someone who became a famous dancer. Because the idol industry is a pyramid, K-Pop is able to compete internationally, but watching them hurts me.
There are trainees who are prettier and more skilled but never get to debut because their image doesn’t match the group. Because there are so many factors that decide whether someone debuts, there is a saying that ‘Idols are sent from the heavens.’
— In Ji Woong
You can watch the full interview below.
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