How to Become a K-pop Trainee

Before becoming a star, K-pop singers all undergo a period as trainees. K-pop trainees live, practice, and perform together from a very young age. Some start as young as 11, while many are discovered and join a company closer to their 20s, so don't be discouraged if you feel you're a little older! Many K-pop trainees and idols are from South Korea, but you don’t have to be Korean – people from all races and ethnicities can audition. Your skills and personality play a significant role in your future success, and it's also essential to be prepared to work hard.

Take dance classes to become a better and more versatile dancer. Especially if you haven't danced much before, try to take as many different classes as possible. Focus on hip-hop and contemporary dance styles. A key requirement for trainees (hoping to become idols!) is the ability to perform exceptionally well, including dancing.

• If you can't attend actual dance classes, you can learn new skills online.

Find a vocal coach to improve your singing skills. Even if you're already a talented singer, there's always something to learn from a coach. If not, at the very least they can offer advice on building endurance for performances.

• If your main skill is dancing, that’s fine! But good singing skills will increase your chances of standing out during the trainee audition.

Practice rapping skills to complete your skill set. Rap is a crucial element of K-pop style and it's also a lot of fun! Listen to lots of rap music to understand the rhythm, and start imitating your favorite artists.

• If you struggle with pronunciation, practice saying tongue twisters to make your mouth more flexible.

Practice songwriting and perfect popular songs. During auditions, you'll need to perform songs that producers are familiar with, but as a trainee, you'll need to write and choreograph your own performances. Try to hone both of these aspects of being a performer.

• If possible, take a songwriting class, spend time listening to K-pop music, and watch videos so you can start mimicking popular styles.

Get familiar with Korean cultural norms and beauty standards. Although many companies accept trainees from outside South Korea, you’ll still be catering to a predominantly Korean audience. Understanding Korean culture is crucial if you're unfamiliar with it. Research popular K-pop groups, spend time on Korean fashion websites, and learn about social norms and etiquette.

• If you're not Korean, this will help demonstrate to producers that you’re seriously committed to becoming a K-pop trainee and are ready to invest yourself fully into Korean culture.

Learn Korean if you're not yet familiar with the language. At the very least, you should master basic phrases like "Hello", "Goodbye", "Please", and "Thank you". The more you know, the better! As a trainee, you will likely have to sing in Korean at some point, and knowing the language will help you socialize, make friends, and navigate life in South Korea.

• If you can't attend a formal class, consider downloading an app like EggBun or Duolingo to start learning.

Avoid scandals and be mindful of what you post on social media. A key factor in succeeding as a K-pop trainee is displaying good manners and appropriate behavior. Steer clear of situations that might lead to trouble, like attending parties where underage drinking occurs. Also, be cautious about your social media presence. Managers and producers often check your accounts.

• Producers prefer trainees who are focused on honing their skills and working hard, rather than those who attract attention through frequent involvement in scandals.

Create a YouTube channel to upload videos and grow your following. Start recording your original songs and covers. Experiment with video blogs sharing your journey as an aspiring K-pop trainee. Producers often browse YouTube when scouting for new talent.

• Set a posting schedule to keep your content fresh and explore new ways to grow your audience.

Maintain a healthy weight and take care of your figure. Some companies seek very slim candidates, while others may accept trainees with fuller figures. However, regardless of your body type, you must meet strict fitness standards, like practicing dance for several hours each day.

• If you've gained weight or want to lose weight, try incorporating daily exercise into your routine and focus on eating whole foods instead of processed ones.

Search for the company you want to apply to. Some major K-pop companies include SM, JYP, YG, Cube, LOEN, Pledis, Woolim, and BigHit. Some companies focus on finding trainees who meet certain appearance standards and already possess singing and dancing skills, while others are more open to individuals with slightly unconventional looks who may require further training in specific areas.

• You can audition for any opportunity you find, but this can be costly and time-consuming. It's better to focus on companies that are most likely to accept you and concentrate on their audition events.
• Note that applicants under 14 must have a guardian accompany them or provide guardian consent when applying for auditions.

Showcase your expertise and confidence during auditions. Most K-pop trainees excel in one of the skills: singing, dancing, or rapping. You should have one standout skill and be familiar with all others. For example, if dancing is your strength, take dance classes to perfect your skills, but don't forget to practice singing and rapping.

• Regardless of what happens in the future, you will need to train in all the essential skills of a K-pop idol. However, your existing strengths during the audition can help catch the producers' attention.

Prepare three songs for the audition, one of which should be in Korean. Think about where your talents shine and choose songs that highlight those abilities. For instance, if you excel in dancing and rapping, select a Korean song that allows you to showcase your rapping and dancing skills, choose another song to display a different type of dance, and then pick a song you truly love – this way, producers will get to see both your skills and passion!

• Watch audition videos on YouTube to see how other applicants perform.

Take portrait photos to send to producers. You can either take them at a photo studio or do it yourself at home. Take both frontal and side profile shots, as well as close-up and full-body photos.

• Keep makeup minimal for close-up shots since producers prefer to see your natural face.

Wear casual clothes and keep makeup light when attending the audition. The judges will want to see your natural face and body, without excessive makeup or tight-fitting clothes (such as Spanx). K-pop trainees live in a world managed by companies. They will choose your clothes, makeup style, and hairstyle when you perform in public.

• Avoid wearing K-pop fan merchandise – producers may think you're attending the audition just to meet your idol.

Join an in-person audition or register for an online audition if you're living abroad. There are numerous live auditions held worldwide, and you'll have the chance to find one in your country. If you can't attend an in-person audition (or if you'd like to audition more than once), you can search for online audition forums on company websites.

• Online auditions are a great option for those looking to become trainees! While in-person auditions are also fantastic opportunities and experiences, don't underestimate the possibility of being discovered through an online audition.

Be patient – it might take a long time before you're accepted as a trainee! Many trainees have had to audition multiple times before being chosen. If you receive feedback from an audition, focus on improving for the next one. For instance, if the judges suggest that you need to work on your singing, find a vocal coach to help enhance your skills.

• Don't worry if you're older and haven't been selected yet. Many K-pop idols didn't join companies until they were almost 20. Keep honing your skills and continue attending auditions.

Understand that it might be challenging to make friends if you're from abroad. Trainees often sign long-term contracts and spend up to 18 hours a day living with other trainees. If you don't speak Korean or aren't familiar with Korean culture, it might take time before you can bond and feel included.

• Try to communicate well with others, especially if you're facing language barriers. Also, don't forget to be friendly – this will be really helpful when you're away from home, striving for success, and making new friends.

Read the contract carefully before committing to a company. Becoming a K-pop trainee is a long-term commitment! Depending on your age, some companies may even require you to sign a contract lasting 5-6 years. Be sure to read every detail of the contract thoroughly. If you don't speak Korean, hire a lawyer to help review the fine print.

• Many companies require you to pay back your salary if you break the contract. Some companies won't cover emergencies or health-related issues. Never sign anything you don't fully understand.

Take care of your health to keep up with the rigorous training schedule. Many trainees work from 5-6 AM until midnight or even 1 AM. Besides training, you might also need to complete your high school coursework or do additional self-training.

• Companies typically set schedules for trainees without prior consultation.
• Trainees often don't get the recommended amount of sleep and usually don't follow regular meal times.

Prepare for monthly evaluation tests. Companies regularly recruit new trainees, so everyone must be assessed each month to ensure the newcomers meet the required standards. This can be a stressful time each month, as you could be eliminated if your performance isn't up to par.

• Typically, about 20-30 trainees are trained at a company, so you'll often be competing with others to maintain your position.

• Be polite to everyone at the audition. You never know who might be observing you!
• Look at reviews from other trainees and K-pop idols about the companies they've worked with – this can tell you a lot about a company to help you make a decision.
• Be prepared for anything that may happen, whether it's good or bad. For example, if you lose your voice during an audition, keep singing instead of hesitating or stopping.
• Don't bring any K-pop band merchandise. It will make you appear as if you're only there to meet the idols.

• If you're not in South Korea but want to become a trainee, you may need to move there to pursue this career. Think carefully about whether this is something you truly want in your life and if your family can support you in this decision.