Korean entertainment Agency lacks trainee, asking people to work under them

One insider from AMKM (Mid to small agency in South Korea) said that it's hard for them to get trainee who is willing to work under them. He added that the situation has changed completely for the old days. Now, they're struggling to get new trainees. Perhaps, the other big agency might not face the same difficulties like the smaller one.

There is several reason why this situation is happening in South korea, the center of entertainment in Asia.

First, Trainee is no longer obligated to their agency and become "slave" of the company they are worked with. The new generation trainee or South Korean youth are indeed very smart, supported by the advanced technology. Now, They know their values and won't believe empty promises that many small agency gave to them. So for smaller agency with lack of capital and connection, it's hard for them to make the talented one to sign under them.

There is Trainee A who has trained for so long, about 7 years, yet failed to debut from the pass agency. Yet, the time that the Trainee A has spent is not going to waste, as it becomes his/her portfolio. The story could be sell because many fans would like this kind of story. Finally the Trainee A is debuted.

Nowadays, Many dance, vocal or rap trainer also become the agent/distributor of talents in South korean entertainment industry. They can promote the talented one to another agency so they can directly debut under them without too much of trainee years. They're already ready to be debuted right away since they already have the skills that is needed as idol. This becomes one of the reason why it's hard for small agency to get a trainee. Many young South Korean students prefer to take this step.

The small agency change their tactic, they give them probation work for 3 months, so the trainee can try for awhile as a trainee in that agency. After probation, the trainee can evaluate whether they're comfortable debuting under this agency, and have same concept with the group. If they don't think suitable, they can just left the company.

Obviously, some trainee/talents who has already fanbase can negotiate better with any talent agency. They can get several proposal from different Korean entertainment agency and take time to decide which one give the better offer or have same vision/image/concept.

The idols survival program also change a lot of culture in Korean entertainment. Many youth will only sign under an agency if the agency has plan to perform in a specific Survival program. So no wonder, if you watch the show, there is several trainees who is only train under agency for less than 1 year.

Because all of that, it's often that the agency try to scout people from overseas, because it's hard to get South Korean youth to sign under them. Many scout choose to fly to Japan or China to get a new trainee. They can no longer scout people from school or university. Many ex trainee also decide to be vlogger or youtuber since they can get the income directly for them without the need to divide royalty with others. With advanced technology, they can sell their talents easily and get their own fanbase.

What do you think about this situation?