1. Big Bang – G-Dragon
G-Dragon, who entered a dance competition when he was 13, was discovered by Lee Soo Man and spent five years as an SM trainee. When he happened to listen to Wu-Tang Clan’s music, he fell in love with rap and decided to become a rapper.
After studying hip hop at an academy, he was discovered by CEO Yang Hyun Suk. After leaving SM in 2002 and becoming a YG trainee, G-Dragon debuted with Big Bang.
2. Urban Zakapa – Kwon Soon Il
When he was in sixth grade, Kwon Soon Il won a singing competition organized by SM and spent three years as an apprentice.
Super Junior, TVXQ and Girls’ Generation were also known to be trainees at that time.
3. Ji Hoon Park
When he appeared on Mnet’s “Produce 101” list, he attracted attention by writing SM and Fantagio on the application form as his “previous agency.”
4. Gong Seung Yeon
Before her acting debut, Gong Seung-yeon was selected as the most beautiful actress for the “SM Youth Best Contest” and prepared for her singing debut. He also practiced as a trainee with members of Red Velvet.
5. Lee Hyori
Lee Hyori was picked up by SM who managed HOT in 1999.
Although she was about to make her debut as a member of the girl group that SM was planning to do at the time, it was said that she had to leave her training days due to personal reasons.
If Lee Hyori was still in SM, she would have made her entertainment debut as a member of SES
