A lot of K-pop idols experienced switching agencies before they could debut as singers. As trainees, various reasons affected their decision to leave their first label, including musical directions and simply being let go by the company.
Here is a list of 15 K-pop artists that transferred to another agency during their trainee days.
15 K-pop Idols Who Trained Under Certain Label But Debuted in Different Agency
BIGBANG G-Dragon
Before debuting as a member of BIGBANG under YG Entertainment, G-Dragon first trained at SM Entertainment. He departed from SM as he got more interested in rapping.
Former 2NE1 CL
Prior to joining YG Entertainment and debuting in 2NE1, CL initially trained at JYP Entertainment, where she had singing and dancing lessons with the 2AM members.
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Former SISTAR Hyolyn
Hyolyn is another former JYP trainee. She almost debuted in a trio alongside miss A's Min and Secret's Jieun. However, there was a change in plans, which led her to leave the agency.
Hyolyn later auditioned for Starship Entertainment, where she ultimately debuted as a member of SISTAR.
TXT Yeonjun
Before training at Big Hit Music and later debuting in TXT, Yeonjun first trained under CUBE Entertainment. It is said that he only spent three months training at CUBE, though this has not been confirmed.
ITZY Lia
ITZY Lia was initially accepted at SM Entertainment, however, her parents were against her being a trainee, so she left the label shortly afterward.
Lia started training under JYP Entertainment when she was 17 years old and eventually debuted as ITZY's main vocalist after two years.
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AB6IX Lee Daehwi and Woojin
Daehwi and Woojin were both originally JYP trainees. They trained alongside the Stray Kids members.
Unfortunately, they both left JYP and moved to Brand New Music, where they made their debuts in AB6IX. They were also under Brand New Music when they debuted as WANNA ONE members.
VIVIZ SinB and Eunha (former GFRIEND members)
Although Eunha and SinB debuted under Source Music as GFRIEND members, they first trained under Big Hit Music. The label, however, cut ties with them alongside other female trainees. The two ended up signing with Source Music.
At present, Eunha and SinB are under Big Planet Made together with Umji. And currently, they are the trio called VIVIZ.
Ciipher Tan
Rookie idol Tan is a previous trainee at Starship Entertainment. He even appeared on the survival show "NO.MERCY," which formed MONSTA X. After he failed to debut in the group, he went on to do his mandatory military service.
Tan later joined Rain Company and there he made his debut as the lead vocalist of the label's first boy group, Ciipher.
ATEEZ Yeosang and Wooyoung
Both ATEEZ members Yeosang and Wooyoung are former trainees under Big Hit Music. They trained together with Taehyun and Yeonjun, who both later became members of TXT.
Before 2017, Yeosang left Big Hit and transferred to KQ Entertainment. Wooyoung later cut ties with Big Hit and signed with KQ as well because of his strong friendship with Yeosang.
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INFINITE Sungyeol
Prior to debuting as a member of INFINITE under Woollim Entertainment, Sungyeol was a trainee at SM Entertainment. He was initially training to be an actor.
Lee Hyori
Lee Hyori initially trained under SM Entertainment and was set to debut as a member of S.E.S. But, due to personal reasons, she left the agency and later joined World Music. DSP Media then scouted her and made her debut in their girl group Fin.K.L.
Former SISTAR Soyou
Soyou started off in the entertainment industry as a trainee at CUBE Entertainment, where she was supposed to debut in 4Minute. However, her debut didn't go as planned and so she left the label. She ended up moving to Starship Entertainment, where she debuted as a member of SISTAR.
Do you think leaving their initial company was the right decision?
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Written by Mhaliya Scott
