If you’re a huge K-pop fan then you are probably aware of all the global auditions held by the biggest Korean entertainment companies. Many have taken the opportunity to showcase their talents in hopes be a K-pop star. Even one of our own local talent have given it a try by participating in a survival audition show.
Apart from these global auditions and survival programs, we’ve also heard stories of how idols got scouted by a talent scout on the streets. Some of them even thought that they were being scammed but thankfully, things turned out well. Here’s a list of K-pop artists with bizarre scouting stories:
1. 2PM’s Nichkhun (닉쿤/นิชคุณ)
During an interview with Eric Nam on his podcast, Nichkhun recalled the day he was scouted by his talent agency. The Thai-born singer said that a woman started speaking Korean when she approached him one day. “I had no idea what she said but the translator next to her explained that she was from JYP and that she would like for me to follow her back to her hotel room to tape an audition. I was like, ‘That doesn’t sound ‘sketchy’ at all'” he said.
After much pressuring throughout the whole week, the idol agreed to meet up with the JYP scouts at a Starbucks outlet where they taped the audition. Luckily, everything turned out well for him as he was accepted as a trainee and debuted in 2PM.
@divestudios not sus at all… 🥸 #nichkhun #2pm #ericnam #jyp #jypaudition #jypentertainment #daebakshow #DIVEStudios #kpop
2. EXO’s Lay Zhang (레이/ 张艺兴)
When Lay was 17 years old, he entered a talent competition where he was then scouted by an SM talent casting director. During an interview with Zach Sang, he admitted that he thought the casting director was lying to him after he was offered to fly over to Korea to receive training. Little did he know, he was about to become a member of one of the biggest boybands in the K-pop industry.
3. BTS’s V (뷔)
V or Kim Taehyung’s story is probably the most popular one out there. The singer went for a Big Hit Entertainment (now known as HYBE) audition initially to just support his friend but was then offered the chance to audition himself. Unlike the other idols on this list, it wasn’t V who thought he was being scammed but his teachers instead.
It was only after they did extensive research on the then-small company that they were convinced to let their student move forward with his decision and the rest is history.
4. LOONA’s Chuu (츄)
Chuu actually received multiple offers from talent and entertainment agencies to come and audition for them while she was still a student at the prestigious Hanlim Multi Art School. At the time, the singer had no interest in becoming an idol and rejected the offers until one day, she decided to entertain the idea.
She admitted that she and her family believed that the DMs she received from these agencies were all scammers. To make sure they were legitimate, the former LOONA member looked through talent scouts’ profiles and the one with the trustworthy smile won her trust which she then accepted the offer to audition.
5. aespa’s Winter (김민정)
Winter or Kim Min-jeong attended a dance festival when she was approached by a casting director from SM Entertainment, who at the time refused to reveal the company they were representing. Of course, this made Winter suspicious of the director’s intention and the legitimacy of their work.
Despite that, she still accepted the offer and flew to Seoul with her parents, who were there to ensure her safety, for an audition. The young star then made it through to become a trainee and eventually debuted under the group.
6. EXO’s Baekhyun (변백현)
Baekhyun was actually scammed multiple times by fake agencies during middle school so he was very suspicious when he was scouted by an SM Entertainment casting director. One day, he was warming up his vocals in front of his school when the director approached him with an opportunity to audition for the company he was representing.
Similar to Winter’s case, when asked, the director did not give any information about the talent agency. Of course, from experience, the idol was suspicious about the offer but he then received a call from SM later that night. After checking their legitimacy, the singer attended their audition and later debuted as a member of EXO.
7. Stray Kid’s Hyunjin (현진)
Hyunjin was out shopping with his mother when a stranger grabbed his hand. When questioned, the stranger handed him his business card and told him he was from JYP Entertainment. The main dancer of the famous boy group was suspicious about the man who approached him so he decided to do a little digging.
After verifying that the talent scout was indeed from JYP, the “MANIAC” artist went ahead and auditioned for the company. He then debuted with Stray Kids and became one of the most recognised performers of his generation.
8. SHINee‘s Minho (최민호)
Unlike everyone else on this list, SM Entertainment took a lot of effort to convince Minho and his family that they were legit. The SHINee member was scouted by three women when he was having tteokbokki at a ski resort with his family.
Apparently, those 3 women began chasing him and his brother relentlessly till they managed to catch up and present their business card. Believing it was a scam, the singer’s mother tore the card right away. The company’s director then presented him with their card and managed to get his contact details. After much effort, they finally convinced Minho’s mom and he was able to try out for the audition.
9. NU’EST’s Hwang Minhyun (황민현)
One day while on his way to school, Minhyun stopped to buy some chicken skewers where he was then approached by a casting agent from Pledis Entertainment. At the time, there were plenty of fraud cases in his area so it was only natural for the singer to be suspicious of the person he encountered that day.
After giving his mother the business card he received, she called the company to verify if they were legit. Minhyun admitted that he was still sceptical about the whole thing since he was asked to audition in a hotel hallway in Busan. Despite that, he still went to audition and was accepted to another round of auditions in Seoul.
10. ITZY’s Ryujin (신류진)
Ryujin was scouted when she attended a GOT7 concert. While waiting in line for the restroom, a woman approached her and asked if she could get her contact details. The singer said that she was suspicious of the person throughout their entire conversation together but decided to give her number anyway because she thought the talent scout was cute.
Bonus
EXO’s Sehun (오세훈)
The story of how Sehun being scouted wasn’t really a case of a suspected scam but rather what he was taught to do as a child; If approached by a stranger, run away. The idol was still an elementary school student when he was scouted by an SM talent scout. The woman approached him and he immediately did not trust her so he ran away.
After 30 minutes of chasing, the scout finally caught up and convinced him to come and audition. From this list alone, SM Entertainment really has a bizarre way of scouting for potential superstars on the streets, don’t they?
