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You see, my sister isn't a trainee herself. But somehow, she became best friends with a group of girls who are currently grinding away in one of Seoul’s mid-tier entertainment agencies. I’ve gone from being a casual listener to an unofficial “big sister mentor” for three girls who wake up at 5 AM to dance until their knees give out.
The industry tries to turn them into polished dolls. But their friendship with my sister keeps them human. Next time you see a rookie group on stage looking nervous, remember: Behind that perfect smile is a kid who probably hasn't slept in 48 hours and just wants to text their best friend (my sister) a meme.
If you ever meet a trainee, do not ask them when they are debuting. That is the equivalent of asking a PhD student when they will finally get a real job. Instead, ask them what song they are listening to for fun. You will see their whole face light up. 5. The Biggest Lesson: They Are Just Weird Teenagers At the end of the day, "idol trainee friends" are just messy, loud, sleepy girls. my sisters idol trainee friends
I’ve seen my sister hold one friend while she sobbed because she forgot a turn during a cover of a NewJeans song. I’ve also seen them jump up and down screaming because a producer complimented their high note.
We all know the glamorous side of K-pop (or J-pop/CPop). The music shows, the fan chants, the flawless Instagram posts. But what happens before the debut stage? For the past two years, I’ve had a backstage pass to a world most fans only dream of—not through a documentary, but through my little sister’s friendship circle. You see, my sister isn't a trainee herself
To Yuna, Soojin, and Haeun— fighting! And stop stealing my sister's hoodies. Do you have a friend in the trainee system? Or are you dreaming of becoming one? Drop your questions below—I’ll ask the girls for their honest answers.
Every Monday, the agency posts the "Monthly Evaluation" rankings. If you drop below the cutoff line? You get a "consultation" (industry speak for "pack your bags"). The industry tries to turn them into polished dolls
Because they are trainees (not debuted idols), the pressure is different. They aren't starving; they are miserably efficient . One friend, Soojin, showed me her "fuel" for the day: a protein shake, three pieces of grilled chicken breast, and a single sweet potato. She eats this every day to keep her "visual line" for the monthly evaluations.
