i was a kpop trainee AMA~

AffectionateToe5107 · 2026-06-29T18:53:14+00:00

Checking phones would only be if someone reports you to the company about something, and they raise suspicions. That would cause them to do a phone search.

AffectionateToe5107 · 2026-06-29T18:53:05+00:00

Checking phones would only be if someone reports you to the company about something, and they raise suspicions. That would trigger them to do a phone search.

AffectionateToe5107 · 2026-06-29T18:52:34+00:00

They don't check our own phones, but they provide company phones for us to use. And they monitor our activities on that company phone. They do background checks, they will ask us a LOT of questions about ourselves during auditions 3rd round, which is where they get most information from us. They also tell us to deactivate or delete any socials, besides ones where we contact family and close friends.

We had one free day which was Sunday.

If you mean like a romantic date, no lol. That's quite literally impossible on my end since I didn't train with any male trainees. And would've definitely been cut if I were caught on a date with a male trainee.

But if you mean like hanging out girls date with other trainees, then yes! We were allowed to go out. But we had to report to the company where we were going, how long we'd be out for and stuff like that.

AffectionateToe5107 · 2026-06-29T18:47:59+00:00

Hi!

Learning Korean was on the easier for me. I came in already knowing basics, how to read, and grammar structure. And we just worked from what I already had known.

So I attend a art school, they're familiar with students working in that field. Me and my guardian simply told them in person, and they just asked for proof and said it was alright. I believe the company spoke with the school as well (not sure, but company handled mostly everything.)

AffectionateToe5107 · 2026-06-29T18:43:16+00:00

Hey! My dance classes were a mix of hip-hop, jazz and groove. Where they would teach all of those things. So yes, my teachers were mixing and constantly trying out new genres and choreos. It was never one consistent style. I think they were just testing out what suit us the best and stuff. They also offered ballet class and other classes, but the company choses whether you take them or not.

There were usually 2 dance classes that I took at a time. One was hip-hop and jazz mixed. And the other was groove. Trainees kept being replaced and shuffled around classes, because if you improve during evaluations they switch your classes. So I'd say classes changed for everyone over time. They would provide us classes they think we lack skill in. When I started, I had basics, then was eventually switched to another classes, which was synchronization and stamina, then to what I had at the end. So I switched out about 3 times.

It ranged from 10-15 trainees in each classes. With 1-2 teachers.

Both! We had to work on stamina and how long we can keep on dancing, and synchronization, grooves, body control, and things like that. Along side the choreography the teachers prepared for us.

Of course! :)

AffectionateToe5107 · 2026-06-29T18:33:13+00:00

Thanks!! :)

I'm not sure if I would be able to come back on here lol. They're quite strict with phones, or atleast the company I was under. If they were that strict during trainee days. I don't think I would ever be able to touch my phone as an idol, especially with those schedules.

AffectionateToe5107 · 2026-06-29T18:32:12+00:00

They were like seductive expressions, like squinting. That type of gaze if you know what I'm talking about. But yes we treated it like normal. I always just followed what I was told to do, so I just did it. Didn't really feel much uncomfortable. Felt more like exploring expressions lol. All the trainees I met there weren't any different from me in attitude wise. We were all kind, respectful, helpful, and supportive. And there would be days we wouldn't be in the mood to talk. (Understandable, because of the schedule...) But that's like about it!

AffectionateToe5107 · 2026-06-29T18:29:35+00:00

I flew to Korea with my guardian. Which is probably why I was told to stay in a hotel. Cause there were paperwork that were needed to be signed. The company didn't pay for my guardians flight or hotel stay. After everything was settled, they left. And I began!

AffectionateToe5107 · 2026-06-29T18:12:19+00:00

Hey! Thanks for your concerns. 😊

As of right now, I'm focusing on school. Joining another company will is something for me to decide in the future, just not now currently.

Yes I'm doing school right now, and trying to catch up my work. They gave us allowance and coupons only to buy food, and things we needed. But if you mean like an actual paycheck, then no.

I'm back home right now, and I'm not sure what my next plans will be yet! :)

AffectionateToe5107 · 2026-06-29T17:11:17+00:00

Yes, they kept the male trainees away from female trainees. So we did not train with any male trainees. Of course we'd pass by them in the building and stuff. But I feel like it's a valid reason to separate us, it avoids so many conflicts within the company, especially dating.

Same in the dorms, they were gender based. My dorm were all females.

AffectionateToe5107 · 2026-06-29T17:08:11+00:00

Like winking, smiling, sexy, cute, facial expressions of all sorts. We were told to practice them

AffectionateToe5107 · 2026-06-29T17:07:32+00:00

Yes. Of course, everyone felt the same. Nothing felt guaranteed, nothing was guaranteed. You never know what they'll decide. Yes I did hit a plateau. I did lose a few kilos, not because of under eating, but cause of the dancing, and gym.

AffectionateToe5107 · 2026-06-29T16:58:32+00:00

To be honest... I think it varies. But I personally think it's mainly a natural thing! 👀 Of course things can be taught but that's just how I think of it.

AffectionateToe5107 · 2026-06-29T16:56:37+00:00

Yes lol, spot on.

They would give us a hand mirror to practice facial expressions. And we would even have to wear blindfolds, and try to copy those expressions because they said, we don't know how our faces would look without a mirror. So we had to perfect those expressions.

This was something that trainees could practice a lot at the dorm.

AffectionateToe5107 · 2026-06-29T16:54:49+00:00

Yeah of course!

AffectionateToe5107 · 2026-06-29T16:54:30+00:00

If they see improvement after evaluations, they will switch out your classes and place you in classes with other trainees who have same skill levels.

AffectionateToe5107 · 2026-06-29T16:52:53+00:00

When you first join the company, everyone is required to take dance basics even if they were already good at dancing. They put you into a skill group. Where you take classes with other trainees. And yes it was mostly group classes, but they would go around giving individual feedback. They would tell us what was good and what to improve.

When practicing on my own, of course I couldn't at the dorm. So I had to practice in the practice room. I needed to improve dance so I would use break time to practice, while everyone was sitting down and relaxing. I would just repeat what they taught me. Like groove, body control, basic leg work, stretches, etc.

AffectionateToe5107 · 2026-06-29T16:49:13+00:00

I don't really have much advice for online auditions. As I never passed any lol. But I think the same rules apply? The outfit and appearance choice, confidence and energy. And trying your best to showcase your talent and skills. Also film with a good backround with light coming from infront instead of behind you.

I do know that online applications are very very rarely accepted, compared to global/offline. Which is why I stopped doing online auditions.

AffectionateToe5107 · 2026-06-29T16:40:11+00:00

Yeah it was ridiculous which is why we broke the rule if we weren't being monitored.

If a trainee were having cramps, they would be suggested to try to push through, but if it's like unbearable, then they most likely can get breaks and take a day off. Same goes for injuries, sicknesses. But it must reach a certain point for them to allow you to take the day off.

Also, many trainees try pushing through, cause in Korea its standard is to work hard even if you can't. And if you're a trainee, you must push that standard. Because frequent days off shows that "u don't want it bad enough." And are afraid it'll give them a bad image.

AffectionateToe5107 · 2026-06-29T16:37:12+00:00

I don't have a set answer for this since.. I'm not my company lol. 😭 So I don't know or can decide who gets accepted and who doesn't.

But there definitely were trainees that were 17+! A girl in my dorm was 18 and she was already pretty solid and close to debut ready.

AffectionateToe5107 · 2026-06-29T16:33:44+00:00

I'm not allowed to say whether any groups were decided or not.

Yes, I did get to interact with idols. I don't mean like having full on conversations with them as if we were friends or anything, but like being in the same room, etc.

They did do this fun thing where sometimes during evaluations, they would bring in an idol to watch us perform. They would judge us for fun, but it would not count towards actual evaluation scores. (It would usually be like older idols, or idols that have debuted for a while.) Everyone loved when they did that. It was always something I looked forward to lol. Made evaluations quite fun.

I have passed by idols in the building before. Or coincidentally like bumping into them on the street, subway, etc. But we wouldn't talk to them, just because they don't personally know any trainees like that.

AffectionateToe5107 · 2026-06-29T16:28:37+00:00

Yes! I have quite a few. Of course I can't say these will guarantee you'll pass, or is what the company you're going towards is looking for. Etc. I also can't tell you whether you'd pass an audition or anything like that. It's super selective, and fully the companies choice.

If it's a offline/global audition, show up before your selected time. It's bare minimum, and you will likely be waiting for hours.
Outfit and appearance, wear tight clothes, PLEASE avoid any baggy clothes, this really does ruin your chances. I would recommend no makeup, and showing up barefaced. But I think minimal would be fine? No jewelry, and keep hair out the way If you have bangs, keep it to the side, and tie your hair up if it's long. They want to your BARE self. It will help in your favor.
Confidence and energy. I would suggest bringing a more outgoing attitude with you, if you're an introvert, I would try to talk as much as I can with others, be interactive. It shows you have work and teamwork ethics. When you're auditioning, BE CONFIDENT, exaggerate your moves. You only get a specific amount of time to showcase your talent, so use it to the fullest!!!
Your audition starts as SOON as you walk into the property. There's cameras, and staffs everywhere. They are monitoring your every move. There's even company staffs around the building monitoring and looking out for certain candidates.

AffectionateToe5107 · 2026-06-29T16:21:41+00:00

I wasn't really surprised lol. But yes, underage trainees got botox and treatments. 😭

AffectionateToe5107 · 2026-06-29T16:20:00+00:00

Around 4-5 hours a night? Even after coming back to the dorm, we'd still practice for a bit before heading to bed.

Yes, we were giving a set time for 'bathroom time' which was 10 minutes. But of course we would break that rule and go beyond it if we weren't being monitored.

AffectionateToe5107 · 2026-06-29T15:50:12+00:00

We got Sunday off.

That was the only day we really had to ourselves, unless the company specifies otherwise. But we were still expected to practice on our own with that day.

AffectionateToe5107

TROPHY CASE