DOS June from "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" actually used to be a real idol trainee! In an interview, rising rookie actor Byun Seong Tae revealed how SM Entertainment scouted to become an idol, and his reason he decided to pursue acting instead.
On September 21, Korean media outlet Sports Today sat down with rookie actor Byun Seong Tae for a special Chuseok interview, where he got honest about being a former idol trainee to becoming an actor.
Byun Seong Tae Used to be SM Entertainment Trainee – Here's How He Was Scouted
Seong Tae, the new face that has been capturing the hearts of K-drama enthusiasts, narrated how he drifted from being an idol trainee to become an actor.
During the interview, the rising star revealed it's not really his dream to become an idol. However, he accidentally entered the entertainment industry when he was approached by an SM Entertainment scouting manager.
He narrated, "When I was a high school student, I was cast on the street by an SM entertainment official while passing a festival event in the region."
Seong Tae continued he received their business card and fortunately passed the audition, then entering SM Entertainment as a trainee.
In particular, Seong Tae could have been an NCT member. However, he left SM and moved to Urban Works, home to former IZ*ONE Minju.
In 2019, the idol trainee joined Mnet's "Produce X 101," the reality program where X1 debuted, but Seong Tae was unfortunately eliminated after ranking No. 66 on Episode 5.
ALSO READ: Male Idols Who Could've Debuted Under SM Entertainment + Reasons Why They Didn't
Former SM Trainee Byun Seong Tae Struggled as Idol Trainee + How Pursued Acting
With a lot of frustrations, Seong Tae wandered between his dream and reality. He expressed his honest thoughts and said, "When I was a trainee, I didn't think being an idol would fit me."
In particular, Seong Tae's childhood dream was actually to become an actor, explaining that the coolness of Kang Dong Won became his inspiration to act.
He stated, "My heart fluttered to see him acting pleasantly and interestingly in the movie Jeon Woo Chi. Since then, I thought I wanted to be that kind of person."
Seong Tae added, "That's how I started acted again that I initially wanted to do. At first, I just started it because it looked cool, but when I tried it, I felt more greedy and thought that I could do it."
After debuting in 2020, Seong Tae landed on his first scene-stealer break with his appearance in the high-rating drama, "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha." Seong Tae plays the role of June, a member of the fictional group DOS, Oh Ju Ri's (Kim Min Seo) bias and former patient of Yoon Hye Jin (Shin Min Ah).
As the interview concluded, Seong Tae shared the changes after his rising popularity, such as getting more DMs from friends, increasing followers, and delivered the message, "People's interest is good, but I feel pressure because I think I have to do better and work hard[...] I ask for your continued interest and love."
READ MORE: ‘Hometown Cha-cha-cha’ Episode 8: Shin Min Ah Takes Good Care of a Sick Kim Seon Ho + Danger Threatens the Peaceful Gongjin Village
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Written by Eunice Dawson
