The Reality Of Training To Be A K-Pop Idol As A Foreigner

Korea Now, the official English YouTube channel of Yonhap News Agency, recently followed trainees from France and Japan who traveled to Korea hoping to become the next big K-Pop star.

Although the trainees are working toward their goal, they’re not currently signed as a trainee with a company, here’s how they prepare for the idol life in the meantime.

Korea Now met with foreign K-Pop idol trainees in Hongdae, a neighborhood in Seoul known as a hub for art and music, and is the home of YG Entertainment‘s company building.

There, a group of multinational trainees have gathered, citing role models like BLACKPINK‘s Lisa, IU, TXT‘s Beomgyu, and BTS as inspirations in their journey.

While the majority of entertainment companies have their own training systems in place, the international trainees in the video haven’t signed with a company and instead practice on their own.

They’re able to do that at the ACOPIA school run by the Asia Hope Camp Organization. The school offers classes in dance, vocals, and language.

Some of the trainees are also in school, while others have dropped out entirely to focus on fulfilling their dream.

Those in school return to ACOPIA after class to practice dance for five or more hours, preparing for auditions.

Through ACOPIA, the trainees, eager to find a home with an entertainment company, are provided accommodations as well.

The trainees in the dorms often speak different languages, communicating in the Korean they know or via a translation app.

Through dorm life, they’re able to learn more about Korean culture together, often going out for meals and day trips.

They bond through their common goal of debuting as a K-Pop idol but share that even though they miss their families, they feel very welcome in Korea and encourage others to chase their dreams.

Japanese trainee Hina is among the ACOPIA students working hard toward their dream, and for her, she doesn’t have a specific company in mind; she’ll become a trainee at any company that accepts her.