YG Entertainment is famous for having many trainees who never get to debut. They are trying to change this with new groups like BABYMONSTER. But what happened to the trainees who left? Here are five YG Entertainment trainees who shared why they quit. Their reasons include long waits and unfair treatment.
1. Han Byul
Han Byul is half-Korean and half-Swedish. She was a popular trainee at YG Entertainment from age 12. She later joined the show CAP-TEEN. Han Byul said she left in 2020 because her debut did not happen soon enough. She started feeling lost and unsure of her place at the company. Every practice made her wonder about her future. She decided to leave instead of waiting. Since leaving YG Entertainment, Han Byul has not shared any updates.
2. MAYDONI
In 2019, MAYDONI shared her story on YouTube. She talked about why she left YG Entertainment. MAYDONI said wealthy trainees started joining the company while she was still training. Staff began to give more attention to these rich trainees. She noticed the change as people with more money brought expensive gifts for the staff. MAYDONI felt pushed aside and lost her confidence.
She also faced strict and stressful rules. MAYDONI had to lose a lot of weight to meet the company’s standards. She was told to see other trainees as rivals, not friends. In April 2022, MAYDONI got married. She is now a YouTuber and an Instagram influencer.
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3. Woong (AB6IX)
Woong is now the main vocalist and lead dancer for AB6IX. Before that, he trained with JYP Entertainment, Woollim Entertainment, and YG Entertainment. He did not quit YG Entertainment by his own choice.
Woong shared in a video that the CEO, Yang Hyun Suk, told him to stop coming to practice after a monthly check. Woong cried a lot after that. Now as part of AB6IX, fans know his talent, and many think YG Entertainment lost out.
4. Han Hyun Soo
Han Hyun Soo is close with G-Dragon and Taeyang. He trained for BIGBANG in the early 2000s. However, his parents did not want him to debut as an idol. They wanted him to focus on his studies. Han Hyun Soo respected their wishes and left YG Entertainment.
Later, he studied art at Hanyang University. He became a designer but still supports his idol friends.
5. Euna Kim
Euna Kim trained at YG Entertainment before joining The Ark and later KHAN. She was going to debut in PINK PUNK, which became BLACKPINK. Instead, she left in 2013.
Euna Kim said the competition at YG Entertainment felt too tough. She felt she was not good enough and doubted her singing skills. For some time, she moved to the United States to study. Later, she returned to South Korea to try again. Euna Kim is now married and has a child who is almost two years old.