The BigHit Music Trainee Who Has Been Waiting The Longest For His Debut

Trainee group Trainee A — speculated to be under BigHit Music — had a lot of hype being aimed towards them after they were revealed to the public last year.

In January of this year, the planned final member line-up for Trainee A was shared — consisting of Yorch, Leo, Sangwon, Woochan, James, JJ, and Jihoon — with an alleged planned debut sometime in 2022.

However, their debut was seemingly delayed by the departure of Leo in August this year, and for the past month or so, there have been little to no updates about the group’s future plans. Trainee A also wasn’t included in HYBE Labels’ recently revealed artist roster.

In the midst of this uncertainty, netizens have started a discussion about member Sangwon, with concern evident for the talented trainee.

Sangwon — who was born on May 8, 2003, making him 19 years old — has allegedly been a trainee under BigHit Music since 2016, making him the current trainee with the longest training period at the label if true. He was apparently set to debut at an earlier time, but was unable to for unknown reasons, and later added to the Trainee A line-up.

He has garnered a lot of attention for his handsome visuals and strong dance skills, leaving many netizens in anticipation for his debut. With Trainee A’s future in a potentially precarious position, people have become more vocal with their concerns for his career.

He was the topic of a recent article on an online Korean forum, where many Korean netizens shared their worries and support for Sangwon in this uncertain time.

“Sangwon-ah… I know that it’s hard but please debut under BigHit ㅠㅠ”
“Can he please endure it until the end?… I found him the handsomest out of the trainees in their next boy group…….”
“Please endure it until the end…. Sangwon-ah… I wanna see you debut ㅠㅠ”
“Wow… He’s a trainee I’m looking forward to…”
“Wow seriously, he’s straight up the Big Hit type of face. Please debut him ㅠㅜ”

International K-Pop fans have chimed in with their opinions as well, hoping that Sangwon’s many years of hard work will pay off in the end.

“Poor kid.. really hope bighit figures out their plans for trainee A soon. Honestly looking at the group now I feel like they need to start anew with sangwon and the rapper guy? at the center.. The rest are very talented too but idk about their synergy as an actual idol group..”
“He’s been a trainee since I started high school and I’ve graduated already…”
“I wonder what’s going on with the group though, I saw their fans say it’s been 2 months and no updates. this is really bad on Hybe’s part and unprofessional.”
“Free this man from his traineeism”
“it’s honestly impressive how he stayed for so long in one company, that is some real dedication! i honestly wonder why he wasn’t on i-land? he has both the skills and the face so i wonder why did they hold him back?”