The Idol So Handsome He Hid His Pre-Debut Visuals Out of Fear

While visuals are usually subjective, certain celebrities have managed to impress most people with theirs. In K-Pop, several idols are known for their good looks, some even considered to be AI-level beauties, like aespa‘s Karina and IVE‘s Jang Wonyoung.

One male idol’s visuals were apparently so strong that, even before his debut, they had to be hidden out of concern.

Recently, an episode of You Quiz On The Block featured SM Entertainment‘s Artist Development Center director, Yoon Hee Jun, who discussed various idols and their growth under the company.

One of the development center’s duties is casting new talent, which is done in a variety of ways. Yoo Jae Suk mentioned a rumor that recruiters will approach people on the street to hand out cards, which Yoon confirmed was true.

She added, however, that more casting these days is done through social media, remarking that RIIZE‘s Wonbin was cast this way.

When Yoo asked whether possible trainees could be picked up from Seoul Station, Yoon replied that when they arrive in Seoul, SM’s staff is instructed to pick them up directly to prevent other companies from approaching them.

Wonbin spoke about the experience himself, saying that he received a recruiting DM. He also spoke about what happened when he arrived in Seoul, saying that they put a mask on him and told him to cover his name tag, which scared him.

I received a DM while I was just on my usual way home. For some reason, I felt drawn to it. But as soon as I arrived, they put a mask on me and told me to cover my name tag, so I felt scared and flustered.

— Wonbin

It seems that Wonbin’s pre-debut visuals were so strong, SM Entertainment was afraid that another company might try to snatch him up.

ㅅㅂ 2019년 18살 원빈이 자기소개 영상 보여줌 pic.twitter.com/JMshPJscOd

— cherry.. (@chrryever) March 4, 2026