"There are fewer trainees dreaming of becoming K-Pop Stars" ... Supply and Demand 'Red Light'

 [Anchor]

The Kpop market has recently been experiencing remarkable expansion, with its influence and industry revenue significantly increasing.

However, the future outlook for Kpop is not so bright.

A report has emerged indicating that the number of trainees aspiring to become idols is significantly decreasing.

Reporter Kwak Hyunsoo investigates the reasons behind this trend.

[Reporter]

A practice studio in Mapo-gu, Seoul.

'PICKUS,' a group formed through a broadcast audition program last year, is in the midst of choreography practice.

This multinational group has endured a varied range of period of time as trainees, ranging from a few months to several years, to achieve their dream of debuting.

[Park Mingeun, PICKUS]

“I started my trainee life when I was 19 years old, and it's been about five years now. Constant evaluations caused a lot of stress.”

Overcoming national borders and language barriers was challenging, but he endured it all with hopes for the future.

[Kotaro, PICKUS]

“After watching BTS's 'Dynamite' music video, I realized there was such a wonderful and beautiful world out there. That’s when I started dreaming of the K-pop world.”

However, the number of trainees, who have been a strong support for K-pop, has recently seen a sharp decline.

According to data released by the Korea Creative Content Agency, the number of K-pop trainees affiliated with entertainment agencies dropped from 1,895 in 2020 to 1,170 by the end of 2022. This represents a 38.3% decrease in just two years.

Not only has the number of aspiring trainees decreased, but the proportion of trainees voluntarily quitting after joining an agency has also increased.

The debut rate of trainees have dropped from about 80% in 2016 to about 65% in 2022, a decline of roughly 20%.

[Lee Minwoo / Team Leader of KoDATA Solutions]

“As the rate of trainees debuting as celebrities declines, smaller agencies are increasingly giving up on training new trainees.”

What are the reasons behind this decrease in K-pop trainees?

Industry insiders point to the changing career preferences of teenagers as the main reason.

According to the annual career education survey by the Ministry of Education, the popularity of being a singer among elementary students dropped from 6th place in 2009 to 9th place between 2019 and 2021. Among middle school students, the dream of become a singer fell from 7th place in 2009 to outside the top 10 after 2019. For high school students, the position of singer has not been in the top 10 since 2009.

[An Entertainment Agency Official]

“Compared to the uncertain outcome of becoming a successful singer after a long trainee period, influencers can generate income more quickly and see immediate results.”

Despite the remarkable boom in the K-pop market over the past few years, the industry is facing difficulties in securing future K-pop talents.

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theqoo

-The number of births from 2002 to 2015 is similar, so it has nothing to do with the birth rate. The significant decrease in the number of trainees between 2020 and 2022 can’t be blamed on the birth rate. Small companies couldn’t survive due to COVID-19.

-And these days, tall and handsome kids say they don’t want to be celebritiesㅋㅋㅋ They can manage their Instagram, live as influencers, date whoever they want, enjoy nightlife, and still make good moneyㅋㅋㅋ They just don’t want to manage their image after debutingㅋㅋㅋ

-Given the declining birth rate, it’s only natural.

-It's simply because there aren't any kids now.

-This is how it should be; the bubble is bursting.

-Being an idol nowadays means doing a lot of tedious tasks. Not just being busy with schedules like before, but dealing with things like paid video calls. There are more things to do apart from singing, so I understand why it's less appealing.

-If you’re good-looking, you can just become an influencerㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Agencies without the ability to properly nurture talents shouldn’t make idols. I feel sorry for those who can’t even properly debut.

-It's the same in other fields.

-It's becoming difficult for small companies to survive in K-pop...

-Most idols, except those in major companies, don’t make money, so it’s totally understandable...

-Everyone's dreaming of becoming influencers these days.