It’s hard to imagine members one day leaving our favourite K-pop idol groups or even disbandment for that matter. However, there is another thing fans find hard to imagine; how would the group be if it had a different lineup of members?
Many have auditioned and trained under multiple talent agencies but only a selected few are lucky to taste stardom. Some came close to debuting with a group but fate had other plans. Here are 8 K-pop idols who almost debuted in another group.
1. BLACKPINK’s Jisoo (김지수) in Red Velvet
While Jisoo was training under YG Entertainment, she was actually scouted by an SM Entertainment talent agent when she attended a concert with her label. During an episode of Radio Star, the idol told the story of how she would’ve accepted the offer if she wasn’t already tied with YG. She could’ve actually debuted in Red Velvet as they were the then-upcoming girl group project by SM.
Skip to 3:15 for Jisoo’s story
2. ATEEZ’s Wooyoung (우영) & Yeosang (여상) in Tomorrow X Together
Wooyoung and Yeosang were actually close to debuting with TXT members as they were all trainees under Big Hit Entertainment. According to a fansite, the idols left the company back in 2016 before the selection process due to unspecified reasons but it was believed that TXT’s debut was pushed back so they joined KQ Entertainment in hopes of debuting sooner.
Fans also joked about the singers not debuting with TXT because they were too short but believed that they would fit in with the idol group’s concept. The members of each group are still close with each other as exhibited in this TXT video:
@hello82official @txt.bighitent missing their @ateez_official_ besties who are busy with “WORK”🥺 Watch COPY&PASTE w/ TXT on hello82’s YouTube channel #COPYnPASTE_TXT #TXTxhello82 #TXT #TOMORROW_X_TOGETHER #hello82
3. BTS’ Jin (진) in EXO
ARMYs and E-XOLs have always been at each other’s throats but can you imagine in an alternate reality where Jin is not with BTS but with EXO? The idol was scouted by an SM agent but rejected the offer, believing it was a scam. We don’t necessarily blame him as the agency does have a peculiar way of recruiting talents. It was not actually confirmed that he could’ve debuted in EXO but since the group and BTS came onto the K-pop scene just a year apart, the timeline does make sense.
4. IU (아이유) in Wonder Girls
IU has always been known as a soloist as she never debuted in a girl group before but she could’ve had the opportunity to debut as a member of Wonder Girls. Despite possessing great talent, her soprano vocal range was not enough to convince JYP Entertainment to take her on when she auditioned for them. It was only years later that the company’s audition manager revealed that they were specifically looking for potential Wonder Girls members but thought IU didn’t quite fit the concept.
5. MONSTA X’s Shownu (셔누) in GOT7
Fans are aware that Shownu used to be a trainee under JYP Entertainment before switching to Starship Entertainment. He actually trained alongside the other members of GOT7 but due to training absences, he left the company. Despite debuting in another group, he still remains close with the GOT7 boys who would’ve been his members.
6. BTS’ J-Hope (정호석) in GOT7
Another idol who could’ve debuted in GOT7 is J-Hope. The rapper auditioned for JYP by showing off his dance skills when he was just 15 years old but eventually went with Big Hit. Even after being accepted by Big Hit, there was a moment when he almost didn’t debut with the rest of his BTS members. J-Hope left to pursue a solo career but after being convinced by a very emotional Jungkook at the time, he decided to stay and trust the boys. The rest is history.
@kithicdames Fact: #jhope passed the JYP audition. This time it came from him! He also joined a completion hosted by JYP & won. He was never rejected! #hobi #bts #hoseok #bighit
7. SHINEE’s Taemin (태민) in EXO
It’s not always easy being the maknae of the group, especially when there’s a lot of pressure prior to your debut. Taemin once shared that he was convinced by his peers that he wasn’t good enough because of his age and struggled with the thought for a long time.
Thankfully, he overcame his insecurities and debuted in one of the most iconic groups in K-pop. However, he has wondered what his life would’ve been like if he had debuted with EXO who were closer to him age-wise.
Skip to 9:15 to hear the idol’s story:
8. Jeon Somi (전소미) in ITZY
Soloist Jeon Somi used to be part of I.O.I before debuting as a solo artist but it was previously rumoured she was supposed to debut in ITZY after her I.O.I contract ended when she was still signed under JYP. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out so she left the company to pursue a solo career instead. The idol once talked about her decision to leave the label and join YG and eventually The Black Label.
Sources: Twitter, AtinyFandom, MonstaXFandom, Koreaboo
