The Duration of Training for Aspiring K-pop Idols at YG Entertainment
When aspiring K-pop idols sign with YG Entertainment, the length of their training period can vary significantly based on individual circumstances, skills, and the company's evaluation. Typically, trainees may train for anywhere from 2 to 6 years before their debut.
Factors Influencing Training Length
Several factors can influence the length of the training period at YG Entertainment. These include the trainee's musical and dance skills, potential, and the company's overall plan for their debut. Companies like YG Entertainment tend to invest more in their trainees, waiting for the perfect lineup before debuting a group. This ensures that each member is thoroughly prepared to bring their best performance to audiences.
Notable Examples
G-Dragon, one of YG's most well-known alumni, spent a total of 11 years in training, split between 5 years with SM Entertainment and 6 years with YG Entertainment. This period is often considered the longest among trainees. On the other hand, Jimin from BTS has one of the shortest training periods, lasting only 6 months.
Baekyun from Exo had a 4-month training period, highlighting the variance in training lengths. Whether a trainee is ready for the final lineup or if the company has a debut plan for a group in the near future, these factors play a significant role in determining the duration of the training.
Industry Practices and Trends
Generally, companies like YG, SM, and JYP wait for their trainees to develop into a more polished and cohesive group before making their debut. They invest heavily in their trainees during this period and continue to focus on them for a few years after debut. However, once the older groups reach around 4-5 years, they start shifting their attention to newer groups to maintain relevance and foster new fandoms.
On the other hand, companies like BigHit Entertainment tend to be more rigorous in their training, pushing out groups that are not yet fully prepared. They invest in trainees for the first two years, focusing on their vocal training and establishing their own fandoms. By the time the groups debut, they have a strong foundation and are better equipped to perform.
Blackpink and BTS: Specific Examples
The training periods for Blackpink members range from 4 years, 2 months to 5 years, 11 months, with an average of 5 years. They began their training at around 18 to 20 years old, which is typical for many K-pop idols. For BTS, RM had the longest training period, 3.5 years, while Jimin had the shortest, barely making it into the final lineup, debuting around 20 and a half and 15 and 9 months respectively.
For trainees joining YG Entertainment, their training periods can vary significantly. The shortest training period for members of the first batch might be 3 to 4 years, while it could extend up to 6 to 7 years for those in the second batch, with a 3-year gap between each group. These durations are indicative of the average assumption and there may be unique situations for each trainee.
It's worth noting that some trainees may also leave even if they are part of the final lineup if they do not agree with the concept or the group they are set to debut with. These factors contribute to the variability in training periods and highlight the different strategies employed by entertainment companies to produce top-tier K-pop idols.