The Chances of Getting Accepted into a K-Pop Company
Being accepted into a K-pop company is a highly competitive and rigorous process. The chances of success vary widely depending on personal qualities such as race, visuals, age, personality, and talent. Here we break down the audition process to give you a better understanding of your odds.
The Audition Process and Your Chances
First, it's essential to understand the general statistics and the stages of the audition process. The acceptance rate is not straightforward and varies from company to company, but we can use a generalized scenario to give you an idea.
Stage One: The Online Round
The online round is typically the first stage of the audition process. This stage sees a massive number of participants, often numbering in the tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands. For example, a company like Belift Lab received around 140,000 applicants in one audition process.
Unfortunately, not everyone who applies is expected to be exceptionally talented or visually appealing. The selection process is often harsh, and many participants do not advance beyond the online stage. An approximate 5,000 participants are expected to pass to the next round, meaning that the odds of passing this stage are about 5 in 100,000, or 1 in 20,000.
Stage Two: The Live Stage
The second round is the live stage, which is usually conducted online due to the pandemic. This round requires a more professional approach, as multiple rounds of evaluations take place over several days. The aim is to identify those participants who have the specific skills and qualities the company is looking for.
Out of the 5,000 candidates, about 500 are expected to pass this round. The selection here is stringent, with only a few hundred progressing. This means the odds of advancing to this stage are around 1 in 1,000, or 0.1%.
Stage Three: Final Selection
The final round is often a live audition brought directly to the company. This round is the most critical and selective, as the company is looking for the best candidates to become trainees. At this stage, the number of candidates is drastically reduced to a handful. If a company is looking for 20 trainees, only 4 or 5 candidates might be chosen, giving an odds of 1 in 125,000, or 0.0008%.
Conclusion
The actual odds of being offered a contract are approximately 2 out of 100,000 or 0.002%, making it a highly difficult process. However, with the right combination of talent and professional preparation, you have a chance.
This is a general estimate based on a large company. If you audition for smaller companies, the odds are likely to be higher, as the competition is less intense. Regardless of the odds, the process is rewarding for those who make it this far, and it offers a unique opportunity to pursue your passion.
Remember, success in the K-pop industry is not just about talent; it's also about preparation and persistence. Don't be disheartened by the numbers. Every audition is a step towards realizing your dreams. Good luck!