1. BY JENNY FAUST
KPOP IDOL TRAINING

2. ENTERTAINMENT COMPANIES
The Big 3 - SM, YG, JYP
More difficult to get into
Train idols as “investments”
Pay for training, plastic surgery, etc. from training until after they debut
Gain revenue from idols once they debut
ENTERTAINMENT COMPANIES

3. AUDITIONS 3 steps - 1) Walk-in 2) Callback 3) Final
Held every weekend in both Korea and US (and few other asian countries)
Extremely slim chance of being selected
Different companies value different factors
Ex. SM - appearance, YG - talent
Many are scouted and encouraged to audition
Most auditionees are in their teens
Looks for: appearance, talent, potential, “star quality”

4. TRAINING Hours of training each day - often until after midnight
Ex. JYP classes a day 3 hours)
Difficult to attend/balance school and training
Assigned homework on top of training
Monthly evaluation
Must maintain appearance
No weight gain - regular weight checks
Many companies force plastic surgery
Training spans anywhere from months - 10 years
Generally 2-4 years
No certainty on ability to debut
Difficult to leave company due to contract

6. TV COMPETITIONS Competitions to become a trainee or debut
KPop Star, Produce 101, Sixteen, etc.
Extremely grueling process
May be within entertainment company
Some test on appearance, star quality - not only singing/dancing capability
TV COMPETITIONS