SHINee’s Key Sheds Light On SM Entertainment’s Strict “Formal Education” Classes

NCT‘s Doyoung appeared on Episode 542 of the MBC variety show I Live Alone. He showed the cast members and viewers his cooking skills and how he eats while watching romantic K-Dramas.

At the end of the clip, he was asked if he every felt jealous of couples knowing that he can’t easily be in a relationship as a K-Pop idol.

Cast: Don’t you get jealous of seeing other people in relationships?

Doyoung: Yes, not at all.

The cast joked that his answer was contradictory, saying, “What do you mean, ‘Yes, not at all’?'” and, “That’s an iffy answer. You mean, ‘No, not at all.’

They turned their attention to SHINee‘s Key, Doyoung’s senior at the same company, noticing that he approved of the NCT member’s safe answer about dating.

Are they strict over at SM Entertainment?

— Jun Hyun Moo

Key mentioned that SM Entertainment has an “ideological education” program that all trainees are required to undergo. He was likely referring to the the media courses that teach them how to deal with tough questions such as romance-related topics.

They have an education program in the basement…an ideological education.

— SHINee’s Key

Artists are required to attend the class for two years. According to Key, however, the actual teachings they absorb last much longer.

The education program lasts 2 years but it stays with you for 20!

— SHINee’s Key

As proven in one of the questions thrown at him, though he’s been an artist for almost two decades, he still has spontaneously safe answers to difficult topics. For Key, dating questions are easily bypassed with a simple shrug.

Jun Hyun Moo: As time goes by, don’t the fans tell you to date?

Key: I don’t know.

Check out the full video below to learn more about Doyoung and Key.