Despite their popularity even before their debut, these former trainees left their agencies and completely pursued a different career. Can you still remember these trainees?
Among numerous people who dream of becoming a K-pop idol, it is surely a huge leap to be accepted as a trainee by Korean agencies, what more if you were included in the lineup for debuting groups.
The following personalities once dreamed of becoming idols as well and were already popular even before their debut. However, due to their various and personal reasons, they left their agencies and pursued different careers.
1. Han Hyun Soo
Han Hyun Soo is a former and popular YG trainee, that he even has his own fandom. In particular, he almost debuted as a BIGBANG member, but just before his debut, he gave up his trainee life after his parents' extreme opposition that his studies were more important.
After eventually leaving the K-pop industry, he went to Hanyang University College of Fine Arts and became an interior, metal, and fashion designer - a completely different path. However, he is still close with the members, especially to G-Dragon and Taeyang.
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2. Haneul
Haneul, the real model of the webtoon "Lookism" character, is also a popular trainee and is preparing to debut in a girl group after joining in "Idol School" broadcasted in 2017.
She narrated that she asks for permission to leave, and the agency approved immediately. Following her departure, the debuting group disbanded then.
She was the former CEO and model of "Haneul Haneul," an underwear brand that made about 9 billion KRW in sales as of 2019. After resigning, she became a popular YouTuber.
3. Stella Kim
Stella Kim, who came from the U.S., was most likely a trainee to be the final member of Girls' Generation.
But amidst finalization, she gave up on her debut and entered New York University in the U.S. instead. The reason is due to the pressure on her appearance she suffered when she was an idol trainee. Due to stress, she took a leave and became interested in food, leading her to take food nutrition as her major.
She's now a food and beauty marketer who aims to help women to feel more confident about themselves.
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4. Jang Ha Jin
Jang Ha Jin was also once a popular SM Entertainment trainee after being selected as the No. 1 appearance in the "SM Youth Best Contest."
She then became a trainee along with Girls' Generation members. However, she quit halfway and decided to pursue her studies as a KAIST student instead.
She later joined LG Uplus in the second half of 2015 and has been working until now.
5. Maeng Gina
Maeng Gina, who is famous for her cousin Kim Bum, entered JYP in 2001. She trained for about five years but gave up eventually. She, later on, entered the Department of International Studies at Korea University.
Now, she is working with Speeker, a division of ESteem company, and works as a travel writer, who also teaches and translates English.
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Written by Eunice Dawson
