Many idols are known for their stunning visuals, alongside their amazing rapping, singing, and dancing ability. However, you may be surprised to find that there are idols who were accepted as trainees thanks to their stunning visuals alone, and ended up building up their skills as trainees! Here are seven trainees who were accepted into their agency's because of their looks.
1. WayV's Lucas
During an episode of "Knowing Bros", Lucas revealed he had auditioned for SM Entertainment without preparing anything. He didn't even necessarily go to pass - he said he went for life experience since he got bad grades as a student. During his audition, Lucas struck three poses and passed the auditions. When asked if he sang or dance, Lucas replied his "dancing" was just clapping along to the beat.
Even though the idol did not show the rapping and dancing skills he has now, SM Entertainment still accepted Lucas into the company thanks to his gorgeous visuals. Now, Lucas is the lead rapper, sub-vocalist, visual, and face of WayV!
2. BTS's Jin
Jin was not only scouted by Big Hit Entertainment, but by SM Entertainment as well! He was first approached by a scouting agent from SM Entertainment while he was a junior in high school but rejected the offer since he thought it was a scam. At the time, SM Entertainment was in the process of forming EXO, so if he had joined, he could have possibly debuted as an EXO member.
After, he was scouted by a Big Hit Entertainment representative while exiting a bus. At the time, he auditioned and was accepted as an acting trainee. However, he soon started training to be an idol. Despite having no background in singing and dancing, he made sure to practice extremely hard and ultimately debuted as BTS's sub-vocalist and visual.
3. Red Velvet's Irene
In a GQ Magazine, Irene revealed that though she auditioned for SM Entertainment, she did not pass. Initially, she only auditioned to accompany her friends and did not want to become a singer. However, when she failed the auditions, she realized she wanted to be a singer. After the failed audition, however, the company gave her a call and revealed they wanted to sign a contract with her.
Fans speculate that though she had failed her auditions, her visuals might have led SM Entertainment to contact her after. It's a good thing they didn't let her go! Irene ended up debuting as Red Velvet's leader, main rapper, lead dancer, sub-vocalist, visual, and center.
4. ASTRO's Cha Eunwoo
Cha Eunwoo revealed he was street cast while coming out of a restroom at a school festival. Someone had come up to him and gave him a name card, offering Eunwoo an audition for Fantagio. Imagine being so handsome that you get stopped after using the restroom!
Though his dream at the time was not to become an idol, his father encouraged him to become a trainee. He ended up auditioning and passing, debuting with ASTRO in 2016 as the group's vocalist, visual, and face of the group.
5. EXO's Sehun
When Sehun was twelve-years-old, Sehun was spotted by an SM Entertainment casting agent while eating lunch with his friends. Told not to interact with strangers by his parents, he ran away from the agent. Now, most people would not bother to pursue someone once they run. However, Sehun's visuals were too good to pass up, and the casting agent chased Sehun down the streets for 30 minutes! Following his casting, he had to undergo four auditions in two years to get into the company.
In 2012, Sehun was introduced as the fifth member of EXO. He is the group's lead dancer, lead rapper, visual, and maknae.
6. ITZY's Ryujin
Ryujin was cast during a GOT7 fan-meeting back in 2015. She revealed that she was approached by someone while she was in front of the restroom and was asked if she could give them her number. Ryujin reveals she was hesitant at first but ended up giving her number to the casting agent since she found the woman who asked her "cute".
She is truly living the y/n life! Imagine being a fan of GOT7 then becoming their direct junior under the same company? In 2019, Ryujin debuted as ITZY's main rapper, lead dancer, sub-vocalist, and center.
7. SEVENTEEN's Mingyu
Mingyu was street cast while he was in middle school and was offered an audition. At the time, Mingyu had never considered a career in music and had no prior experience with singing or dancing. During his audition, he did not prepare anything and even showed up wearing flip-flops! Since he had no song nor dance prepared, he ended up singing the South Korean national anthem and performed a dance he learned at church! Pledis Entertainment passed him despite how unprepared he was for the audition, and Mingyu recalled the company saying, "It's about time we added a visual member to the company."
He signed with the company as a trainee and trained for four years. He debuted in 2015 with SEVENTEEN as the group's lead rapper, sub-vocalist, visual, and face of the group.
