1. Big Bang – G-Dragon
G-Dragon, who participated in a dance competition when he was 13, was scouted by Lee Soo Man and spent five years as an SM trainee. When he happened to hear Wu-Tang Clan’s music, he fell in love with the rap and decided to become a rapper.
After studying hip hop in an academy, he was scouted by CEO Yang Hyun Suk. After leaving SM in 2002 and started being a trainee of YG, G-Dragon debuted with Big Bang.
2. Urban Zakapa – Kwon Soon Il
When in 6th grade, Kwon Soon Il won a singing contest hosted by SM and spent three years as a trainee.
Super Junior, TVXQ and Girls’ Generation were known to have been trainees at that time too.
3. Park Ji Hoon
When appearing on Mnet’s “Produce 101” list, he drew attention by writing SM and Fantagio in the application form as his “previous agency”.
4. Gong Seung Yeon
Prior to her debut as an actress, Gong Seung-yeon was selected as the best-looking actress for the “SM Youth Best Contest” and prepared for her singing debut as a singer. She also practiced as a trainee with Red Velvet’s members.
5. Lee Hyori
Lee Hyori was casted by SM which was managing H.O.T in 1999.
Although she was about to make her debut as a member of the girl group that SM was planning to do at that time, it was said that she had to quit her trainee days due to personal reasons.
If Lee Hyori still had been in SM, she would have made her debut in the entertainment industry as a member of S.E.S.
