10 K-Pop Idols Who Had Other Jobs Before Debuting
Before becoming worldwide-famous idols, these top stars worked other jobs. Keep on reading to learn more!
1. ENHYPEN Sunghoon
Before making his debut with ENHYPEN in 2020, Sunghoon was a professional figure skater. He skated from 2010 to early 2020, while also training under HYBE Labels in 2018.
Sunghoon made his international junior debut during the 2016–17 figure skating season. He has earned several awards, such as the silver medal at the 2018 Asian Figure Skating Trophy. He has skated professionally overseas, such as in Estonia and Poland.
2. LE SSERAFIM Kazuha
Before debuting with LE SSERAFIM, Kazuha was a professional ballerina. In 2018, she won a silver medal at the Asian Grand Prix Competition - Junior's Division.
She attended the Hashimoto Sachiyo Ballet School & Jr. while in Japan. Internationally, Kazuha studied at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow and the Royal Ballet School in the United Kingdom. Before withdrawing to debut in LE SSERAFIM, Kazuha studied at the Dutch National Ballet Academy in the Netherlands.
3. RIIZE Anton
Before coming to South Korea and debuting with RIIZE, Anton was a professional youth swimmer in the United States. During his career, he was called a swimming prodigy.
Korean media had even uncovered that he was named one of the top ten teenage swimmers in all of the United States. He began swimming at the age of five and has consistently won awards since he was ten years old. Sadly, he had to retire in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
4. Kep1er Shen Xiaoting
Before coming to South Korea and debuting in Kep1er, Shen Xiaoting was a professional ballroom dancer in China. She made her professional ballroom dancing debut in 2013.
During her career, Shen Xiaoting was a competitive ballroom and modern dancer. She has won over 50 awards. She won a gold medal during a modern dance competition in Shanghai and ranked sixth globally in a competition in the United Kingdom.
4. GOT7 Jackson
Before coming to South Korea and debuting in GOT7, Jackson was a professional fencer. He started training at the age of ten.
Throughout his career, he won multiple awards as a member of the Hong Kong national fencing team. He even won first place at the Asian Junior and Cadet Fencing Championship in 2011. Jackson was preparing to compete in the 2012 London Olympics but refused to participate to begin his idol training under JYP Entertainment.
5. LUN8 Chael
Before debuting in LUN8, Chael was a professional volleyball player.
Chael was a member of Myongji University's volleyball team. He competed in several volleyball competitions with his team, which were streamed nationwide. He ultimately left the team to make his debut with LUN8. However, he hopes to show fans his skills if an opportunity arises.
6. Stray Kids Lee Know
Before debuting with Stray Kids, Lee Know worked as a backup dancer for BTS.
Lee Know worked as a backup dancer for BTS for nearly a year, joining the group for their "Wings" tour in 2017. Lee Know was also among the dancers who participated in BTS's "Not Today" music video. Prior to that, Lee Know worked as a professional dancer as a member of the street crews Cupcakes and Brownie Boys.
7. SISTAR Soyou
Before debuting with SISTAR, Soyou worked as a hairdresser!
The idol started working at a hair salon pre-debut to help her family's tough financial situation. She worked at a hair salon for three years. While a trainee under CUBE Entertainment, she styled the hair of the HIGHLIGHT and 4MINUTE members. The idol has a professional hairdresser's license.
8. TWICE Jeongyeon
Before debuting with TWICE, Jeongyeon worked at a bakery!
The idol loved working at a bakery so much that at one point in her life, she considered giving up her trainee life to work at the bakery full-time. She thought the job matched her well, and she dreamed of opening her own bakery. Though she has a big love for baking, she ultimately chose to continue training.
9. ZEROBASEONE Sung Hanbin
Before debuting with ZEROBASEONE, Sung Hanbin worked as a professional dancer.
In 2018, Sung Hanbin was one of the backup dancers for WANNA ONE's "Boomerang" performance at the SBS Gayo Daejeon. He also worked as a dance instructor, joining several dance competitions and battles. Besides that, Sung Hanbin worked at his mother's cafe and owns a barista license.
10. BTS Suga
Before debuting with BTS, Suga worked as a delivery boy.
At the time, the idol worked as a delivery boy to help pay for his college tuition. His parents were unsupportive of his dream of working in music, so he worked to provide for himself. Sadly, he suffered a motorcycle accident while working, causing an injury to his shoulder. He ultimately told CEO Bang Si Hyuk about the accident, and he paid for Suga's college tuition.
Was there an idol we missed? Tell us in the comments below!
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Written by Alexa Lopez
