K-Pop Hopefuls in Southeast Asia will soon have the opportunity to train and possibly become idols. Sm Entertainment will open a training academy in Singapore this year.
The new structure, SM Universe (Singapore), will be supervised by the same agency behind the generation of Global Sensations, NCT and Aespa. The training academy will be located in *Scape, a hub focused on young people at Orchard Link. It will mark the first incursion of SM Entertainment in K-Pop training in Southeast Asia, a region that has seen a 423% increase in K-pop streaming on Spotify from 2018 to 2023.
How much will the training cost?
The SMANTERTainment’s Academy offers a 21 -week intensive training program for about $ 10,000 and will cover every aspect of the Idol training, including dance, musical production, presence on the stage and voice. While the price is steep, the Academy plans to provide scholarships to high potential students, potentially covering the entire $ 10,000 commission.
The 21 -week training program will culminate in a one -week training session at the main campus of the SM universe in Seoul. During this session, the most performing students will have the opportunity to make auditions for the main South Korean entertainment agencies.
Are there any limits?
Registration for the first batch will be limited to 50 students. All admissions will be determined through an online hearing process. Although there are no severe age limits, the academy expect most students between 13 and 18 years old.
The Academy will also admit students who may not be able to commit themselves for the entire 21 -week program. SM Universe (Singapore) offers shorter courses that focus on specific skills, such as vocal or dance techniques. Those courses last from one to four weeks.
The Singapore campus will open in June. Unlike the Seoul Academy, it offers a training designed as a after -school curriculum instead of replacing formal education.
