7 K-pop Idols Who Were Turned Down by SM Entertainment

The first step to becoming an idol is getting scouted by a company or attending an audition. While several idols luckily got into a company on their first try, dozens were turned down by one. Despite that, many didn't give up on their dreams and tried auditioning several times more. But did you know that several of the K-pop idols we know today were once rejected by one of the "Big 4" companies, SM Entertainment?

With that, here are some of the K-pop idols who SM Entertainment turned down!

1. IU

Before IU became one of the best-selling and top-performing solo artists in Korea, she had auditioned for two of the "Big 4" companies - one is SM Entertainment. However, despite IU's immense vocal and songwriting talents, the "Strawberry Moon" singer was turned down by the company. IU once said that she might have been turned down due to her appearance.

2. ChoA

Former AOA member ChoA had tried her luck with multiple companies during her younger days, with SM Entertainment being the one she was vying for. In fact, she was so determined to be a part of SM Entertainment that she auditioned 15 times! Unfortunately, she didn't make the cut and was rejected each time she auditioned.

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3. SHINee Key

While Key is currently under SM Entertainment as a member of SHINee, it took him some time before he finally got accepted into the company. Key is also one of the idols who was determined to get into SM Entertainment and had auditioned three times before finally being accepted as a trainee. In fact, SM Entertainment was the only company he auditioned for!

4. Park Bom

Former 2NE1 member Park Bom had auditioned for both YG Entertainment and SM Entertainment in the past. She auditioned only once for SM Entertainment and was rejected before being accepted as a trainee at YG Entertainment after auditioning at the company three times.

5. Zico

Former Block B rapper Zico had also tried his luck with SM Entertainment. The "Any Song" hitmaker had auditioned at the company during his time as an underground rapper. Although he never got accepted as a trainee, there was a time when he was close to getting in.

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6. Red Velvet Irene

It might be difficult to imagine Irene getting rejected by SM Entertainment, but she had initially failed her first audition for the company. After turning down Irene, SM Entertainment discussed the decision and changed their minds. Irene was later contacted by SM Entertainment and was accepted as a trainee, and years later, she debuted with Red Velvet!

7. Park Jin Young (J.Y. Park)

Yes, you read that right! SM Entertainment also rejected JYP Entertainment's very own founder and CEO! Before he founded his own company, he tried auditioning for his competitor. But instead of his singing skills, SM Entertainment founder Lee Soo Man was more impressed with his composing skills. Lee Soo Man rejected Park Jin Young but asked if he could buy the song he had used for his audition!

Do you think these idols should have been accepted at SM Entertainment?

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Written by Robyn Joan