The Ethnicity Factor

K-Pop Audition/Trainee Questions

One important thing to realize is that all the companies you want to audition for are Korean companies. That being said, it is obvious that they are going to try and appeal to the Korean public and the best way to do that would be through Korean people (do you see where I'm going with this.)

Now that's not say that companies are against foreign potentials. Quite the opposite actually since now, most companies would want to globalize their groups (being global brings in more money anyways) so foreign audtioners, especially of Chinese or Japanese (but more Chinese though as there is this huge political rivalry thing going on between Korea and Japan and also because of WWII, in which case China also has bitter settlements against the Japanese) descent.

Now those that are from South East Asia, don't be discouraged quite yet. We can see that Nichkhun is Thai and there is a new YG trainee (Lalisa Manoban, I think) who also hails from Thailand and many members of Skarf who are from Singapore. The market is slowly becoming more open to South Eastern potentials as companies see a huge marketing possibility in those areas. However, it is important to note that Nichkhun, Skarf and Lalisa don't really look South Eastern, they look like they could be Chinese, Japanese, and/or Korean. This mostly has to do with a huge cultural belief they have in Korea -- as they often times look down on South Eastern Asians.

For all of you Chinese (or maybe Japanese as well) potentials out there, you would be happy to hear that many companies now see a HUGE marketing possibility in China (or maybe Japan as well but then again, theres that whole controversy surrounding the two nations).

But, that's not to say that you can't be the first one! Look at Hangeng, who was the first Chinese to be in the South Korean market or Olivia from the Gloss who is, dare I say, is European. You could be the first FILIPINO in the market, you never know 

If you were to take one thing from this, it should be:

tl;dr You are extremely advantaged if you are Korean. Then Chinese. Then Japanese. Then anyone who looks like they could be any of the ethnicities I just listed. Anyone else, I'm sorry but you don't have a good chance if you aren't any of that I mentioned above. Its the sad reality of the entertainment world and its best if you realized that now than later. 

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kpoptrainees
I have an update on the Baekyeon issue that I think everyone should read.

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EXOsMingi
#1
Chapter 27: Chapter 27: About Lu Han's casting story: I'm 5 years late but whatever, hello. Just recently I read somewhere that Lu Han was "officially casted" into 2010 SM Casting System or something which really surprised me because I thought he got into SM in 2008? I mean yes, he did audition for JYP in 2008 too, but in China. Also there was some fact about Lay and Lu Han and the reason why they are or rather were so close. Because they got into SM on the same day, if I'm not mistaken, and they grew close. A fact is that Lay got into SM too in 2008 after successfully auditioning in China and then moving to Seoul to be a trainee. The thing about auditioning at JYP is true and not being accepted is true as well, but that doesn't make him a trainee? Yeah, for me, I believe he got into SM and trained for three/four years and I don't really believe that he got casted in SM. It doesn't make any sense being casted in 2008 and signing a contract officially in 2010, I doubt that SM would wait that long, you'd probably have to audition again.
SiangBoro #2
Chapter 18: Hi.... My name is Siang.... So my question is that what is the perfect age for a trainee of JYP Entertainment?? If I don't know Korean language than can I become a K-pop star? Getting to the actual point I can't dance that well so if I auditioned for a trainee in JYP Entertainment, will I get selected for a trainee?
melymei #3
Chapter 18: hii i really want an answer for what i m going to ask, please...
i want to try online auditiones (but i am feeling so discouraged) but is it a bad idea ? cause i am a 19-years-old-europeen girl ...
and are the rap and dancing audition same as the singing auditions ?? i heard that languages are important as well ... well i can 4 fluenly does that help in anyway?
honey13 #4
Chapter 18: hiii.. is it wise to finish my senior high school first before auditioning? i am a filipina.. and i plan to audition next year after i practice a lot on my singing and dancing plus diet and health care so that i may pass the audition.. and i am going to be 18 (19 in Korea) by that time.. will my hardwork pay off? i mean i won a couple of singing and dancing contests and i act on school plays too... do you think i will pass? T^T
aikamihana
#5
it's not ongoing anymore?
jcsoliguen #6
im from phillipines what company or which will accept me im good at singing and dancing hope all of you can help me thanks a lot
triciamaemoreno1438 #7
Im from Philippines! Which company can accept me???? I'm good at rapping and dancing. Hope you can help me! Thanks
Xanderix713
#8
Chapter 40: Hey, I want to be a trainee, but I live in Cali, and JYP's US branch is in New York. If I get in, how do I train there? Because I want to finish school. And also, do you need to attend college to get in? Or not?
Domykyungsoo #9
Chapter 15: Nah... Hangengs was so many years ago and during that time he earned so little bc he wss the first foreign idol. Nowadays idols like exo or big bang can earn millions. (Correct me if im wrong) i think i read that a new law was made to protect artists and they dont have to pay back to earn money anymore(i think its only for the big 3)
PrincessOfDisguise21 #10
Chapter 20: I am a Filipino and I want to be s Kstar. So I just want to ask what company should accept me. Is Big Hit, Cube, Pledis and Jellyfish okay?