IDOLS WHO HAVE THE LONGEST TRAINING TIME [UPDATED 2021]

If previously we're talking about idols who get just added into the group prior to the group debut, despite other members have train for a long time or years, here we're talking about them. There is some idols despite being full of raw talents, yet having to train for a long years before the agency have plan for them and finally debut them into the group. Korean pop, or more widely known as Kpop, has been taking over the world for the past decade or so. Whether you love it or hate it, you’ve got to admit that you know at least one Kpop song that got stuck in your head for a few days after first hearing it. K-Pop idols go through intense trainee programs in order to chase their dreams and debut as an artist, no matter which company they work for or which group they end up in. While they're training everyday to improve their skills, they don't lose hope to debut and finally able to do that. Here are several idols with the longest training time. Keep in mind, some of them actually become the key members of the group.

1. BIGBANG G DRAGON (11 years)

He, even though being talented as a singer song writer and rapping, actually have to go along journey before finally able to debut under YG entertainment, Bigbang. He eventually become the most appreciate leader of the group, with a successful solo career on his time. Before joining YG, he is also became a part of SM trainee, before transferred to YG. Originally meant to debut as a duo with Taeyang, he eventually debuted as the leader of BIG BANG, one of the most successful groups of K-Pop.

2. TWICE JIHYO (10 Years)

The main vocalist of popular girlgroup, TWICE under JYP entertainment, needs to wait for 10 years before eventually debut. Jihyo started training at the extremely young age of 8, and spent most of her childhood preparing to become an idol. 2PM’s Taecyeon and 2AM’s Seulong were shocked to note that the child who used to run around the practice rooms is now the leader of the Nation’s Girl Group.

3. NCT Johnny's (9 years)

If we have chenle and shotaro who debut within 2-3 months, Johnny needs to wait for 9 years to debut. He joined the company in 2008 – the same year that SHINee debuted – and though he could have debuted with EXO in 2012, he didn’t feel ready and waited until NCT’s debut in 2017 to start his career.

4. Red velvet seulgi (6 years)

Seulgi began training during her first year of middle school back in 2007. No wonder his dancing and singing skill is already extent to a high level.

5. BLACKPINK Jennie (6 years)

Although many of fans accuse her to get favoritism from YG, do you know that She is actually train the longest in Blackpink? She started training at YG Entertainment in 2010, and gained attention in 2012 when she was introduced as a potential member for the company’s second girl group.

The same idols with 6 years of Training is no other than our EXO Leader, SUHO.

6. BTS RM (4 Years)

Our favorite and proud leader, RM of BTS is actually needs to train for 4 years before debut. RM had the longest trainee period out of anyone in BTS. Many idols actually debut after around 4 years of trainee, some of the eg: TXT’s Yeonjun, GOT7’s Jinyoung, GOT7’s JB

7. ITZY Chaeryeong

The younger sister of IZ*ONE‘s Chaeyeon, Chaeryeong competed alongside her sibling on the rivalry show SIXTEEN, and after the show ended stayed at JYP Entertainment until she debuted in ITZY.

8. SEVENTEEN’s S.Coups (6 years)

S.Coups trained for the longest out of all the SEVENTEEN members, and was actually one of PLEDIS Entertainment’s very first male trainees that almost debuted with NU’EST. As the idol with the longest trainee period, S.Coups is not only the leader of the Hip-Hop Team, but the leader of the entire group too!

9. (G)I-DLE’s Miyeon (8 years)

Miyeon was a trainee at YG Entertainment for 5 years and could have possibly debuted with BLACKPINK, but she moved to Cube Entertainment in 2015 where she was able to join (G)I-DLE.10. MOMOLAND’s Nancy (6 years)

Nancy originally trained under Nega Network, but later earned first place on the reality show Finding Momoland which then created the group she’s in now.

10. MONSTA X’s Shownu (7 years)

He originally trained under JYP Entertainment for 2 years before moving to Starship Entertainment to become the leader of MONSTA X.

11. A.C.E.’s Jun (9 years)

Jun was a trainee at Jellyfish Entertainment for 7 years, Stone Entertainment for 1 year, and Beat Interactive for another year before debuting in the group A.C.E.

12. G.Soul (15 years)

G.Soul easily has the longest trainee period out of any idol, working for 15 years under JYP Entertainment before finally debuting as a solo artist in 2015.

13. NUEST JR

JR isn’t just the member who trained the longest out of NU’EST. He’s actually Pledis Entertainment’s first ever male trainee. Although he spent some time as the only male trainee in the company, he was eventually joined by four other members, with whom he experienced challenges and triumphs with.

14, SNSD JESSICA, YOONA

Koreans are all about hard work. Lee Moon Won, a culture critic once said, “Koreans spend the same effort on everything, whether it is college entrance exams or an office job.” After passing the auditions and successfully getting into an agency, one would sign a contract with the company and officially become a trainee. However, there are hundreds of other trainees competing for a limited chance to make their debut, so you can only imagine the amount of pressure and hard work it takes.

Maybe this culture what makes Korea to improve this fast in the pass years.