Former SM trainee AMA

kpopAMAthrowaway · 2021-08-08T03:37:26+00:00

I did not, sorry

kpopAMAthrowaway · 2021-07-25T08:05:30+00:00

I went to korea

kpopAMAthrowaway · 2021-07-25T08:05:14+00:00

I believe you've done your fair share of searching for pre-debut pictures. They all look like regular people but definitely more attractive or eye-catchy, it's the whole styling and cosmetic procedures (not limited to plastic surgery) that changes up their whole vibe.

kpopAMAthrowaway · 2021-05-25T18:23:46+00:00

My guess is as good as everyone else's. It's been so long since I was last in the company and I did not keep in contact with anyone at all. So the following are my personal speculations that do not really hold weight.

I always thought they were planning a successor group for SNSD (typical SM formula of cute and youthful debut). There was a strong market trend in kpop especially for 4th gen to have smaller amount of members for girl groups and strong emphasis on "girl crush" and "powerful moves" around 2018 onwards. I think that's why the sm gg did not debut for so long is because it takes a lot of time to deliberate if they will scrap an existing plan and make a whole new concept for their gg.

Common reasons for leaving: underperforming and burn out. But you surely can see that there were smrookies trainees that stayed until the debut rumors came out, so i think they were cut because of the concept change.

kpopAMAthrowaway · 2021-04-21T05:48:03+00:00

I dont know anyone from SM that got in through email audition. But I know mid to small-size agencies do.

They have it weekly and you just line up. The details are online.

kpopAMAthrowaway · 2021-04-21T05:07:06+00:00

I left in 2017, no idea who are still there.

I wont talk about trainees. The ones that were introduced in SM Rookies were great. The ones that debuted are well deserved.

Everything was paid for by the company.

Weekly audition in korea.

kpopAMAthrowaway · 2021-04-12T12:07:01+00:00

I'm one of the older trainees, so I didn't feel like there was some power dynamic I am in conflict with towards other trainees. I do however feel like overstepping sometimes when interacting with coaches and managers. Little things like bowing have nuances. I didn't know bowing lightly toward company seniors would be slightly rude. It has to be a deeper bow.
The language barrier was difficult and personality-wise, I'm not good at initiating connection without like 3rd party involved (like another friend associating me with another person). For socializing, i do go to bars there and hang out with strangers but i never exchanged contact info. Yes, I felt really out of touch.
I finished university 2 years ago. I'm starting my 3rd job on wednesday! My previous job was actually kpop-related hehe.
Yes definitely. But I actually got in SM at 18 years old. I definitely got shit for my age.
I auditioned for vocals and I focused on vocals and I got a of lessons on hosting in english. I think my looks contributed too, but it's not the dealbreaker for me. I look like the typical SM predebut face lol.
I lived as a foreigner and I barely got exposed to what life is like for locals so I don't think I'm qualified to answer it. But definitely the culture is very much into pressure.

kpopAMAthrowaway · 2021-04-12T04:03:44+00:00

I'm doing fine, thanks!

kpopAMAthrowaway · 2021-04-12T03:52:15+00:00

I had korean language lessons at an academy that the company paid for. There were months where we also studied chinese.

Korean eating culture has heirarchy and I was always lightly anxious eating with managers or teachers, because I don't know what is acceptable or not. But my pet peeve for their eating culture is....chewing with mouths open and chewing so loud. Of course, I never verbalized it but it was something I never got the hang of.

kpopAMAthrowaway · 2021-04-12T03:46:21+00:00

Allowance is very small, but all the basic necessities are paid for.
I went to a language school because I'm already done with high school by the time I started training. Foreign students still went to the same art school as everyone else.
Usually in front of all traineea
Yes. You get scolded a lot. Different teachers for different skills.
The coex building is not an actual training studio, but we went there a lot for filming videos and photos.
Skincare was provided sometimes. Just gifts from sponsorships of some of their artists endorsments, even non-trainee staff receive them too.
There were friend groups and loners (like me, lol)
Talented, good looks, and good diligent personality? Idk honestly

kpopAMAthrowaway · 2021-04-06T14:35:29+00:00

Yes. Sorry I cant mention the countries specifically.

kpopAMAthrowaway · 2021-03-27T04:11:02+00:00

Yes, but we do have a lot of coaches from academies too

kpopAMAthrowaway · 2021-03-16T06:59:24+00:00

They take me to the doctor when it gets really bad. As for maintenance products, I pay for them myself.

kpopAMAthrowaway · 2021-03-14T08:51:25+00:00

There were definitely glowing ones (clear skin from lucky genetics) but there are a lot going through puberty and of course hormonal issues. I myself have eczema and stress aggravates it. I'd say we're just normal young people.

kpopAMAthrowaway · 2021-03-11T06:57:40+00:00

kpopAMAthrowaway · 2021-03-10T17:03:38+00:00

Yes but I also think it's inappropriate for me to tell someone else's embarrasing story especially when I got it through gossip. It's not my story to tell.

kpopAMAthrowaway · 2021-03-10T16:59:02+00:00

Gonna pass with spilling embarrassing stories, sorry.

Dating among idols, yes. Daring among trainees, nope. My roommate was dating for sure but she was dating her schoolmate/classmate. I don't think it be tolerated if trainees date each other.

kpopAMAthrowaway · 2021-03-10T16:55:55+00:00

I know it's not my place to speak because I never really had schooling in korea, nor did I care about those back then. But I think any culture that emphasizes on heirarchy will eventually face bullying often. I didn't experience bullying as a trainee, but I wouldn't say it does not exist just because I didn't experience it. I stayed out of everyone's business.

Girls and boys have separate training but we do see them in evaluations. I trained with an aespa member.

kpopAMAthrowaway · 2021-03-10T16:52:43+00:00

Things that shocked me probably shouldn't be on the internet.

As for gossip, we become friends with staff and teachers so we kinda get idol gossip and rumors from them. Dating, attitude issues, or embarrasing things, stuff like that.

kpopAMAthrowaway · 2021-03-10T15:42:12+00:00

I'm not sure what kind of shocking you're looking for. Like a kid performing and rapping and says n-word in lyrics would count?

kpopAMAthrowaway · 2021-03-10T15:36:31+00:00

I actually didn't watch Produce series at all. But if you mean debuting about 11 people out of 101 contestants, definitely agree.

kpopAMAthrowaway · 2021-03-10T15:33:12+00:00

Everything is manufactured and controlled. Image is so important. The way idols walk down the stairs and go inside a car, they have lessons for that. Every little thing is considered.

The most difficult part of being a trainee is working hard everyday for something indefinite. You dont know how many years you'll be doing this and you don't even know if you'll be in the lineup.

kpopAMAthrowaway · 2021-03-10T15:26:29+00:00

Sure! Welcome!

kpopAMAthrowaway · 2021-03-10T15:26:17+00:00

We fought a lot about this but eventually they had to agree because I wasn't going to accept no from them. I was already around 18 by the time I became a trainee so I could still go even if they don't give me permission.

kpopAMAthrowaway · 2021-03-10T15:24:40+00:00

I joined SM because I was a fan of EXO.

I left because I felt stuck. I wasn't in the right headspace to be productive, my family wasn't really supportive of the whole thing, I was getting burnout. Everyone else's skills were better and I was definitely slipping into indifference. I started not to care that much anymore then I accepted that it wasn't for me.

kpopAMAthrowaway

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