It was not easy for trainees of SM Entertainment to finally make it big in showbiz. Although Heechul already had fans since his training days because of his unique fashion sense and Girls’ Generation member So Hyun was just discovered in a subway, they had to go through intensive training.
Aside from auditions held every Saturday at 3 pm in SM Entertainment’s head office in Apkujeong, Seoul, where Super Junior’s Heechul and Girls’ Generations’ Yoona were discovered, aspiring SM artists participate in its “Youth Best Selection,” wherein applicants are classified into a certain group of “expertise” and battle it out to be the winner within the group. TVXQ’s Hero and Max, Super Junior’s Shindong and Kangin and actress Go Ara were selected as trainees through this casting system. Every year, more than 7,000 people compete in the “Youth Best Selection,” which is held in 5 cities in Korea.
SM Entertainment also holds global auditions in the US and Asia. Super Junior’s Hankyung became a trainee after being selected in a global audition.
Technology has also brought about new ways of auditioning. Now, trainee applicants can submit recordings through CD and mail and participate in ARS and UCC auditions.
If getting in is already a challenge, then being a trainee is harder. Trainees go through vocal, dance, acting lessons and even foreign language and composition trainings.
Training also lasts for a long time. Girls’ Generation’s members had to go through an average of 5 years in training. In fact, members Soo Young, Jessica and Hyo Yeon had to train for almost 7 years to become versatile entertainers.
Moreover, as SM Entertainment regularly holds recitals, trainees push themselves to be better.
Source: Edaily
wow. thats hardcore.
thanks for the info!
By: jaime on March 1, 2008
at 5:14 am
I wonder if the foreign language training is more of a recent development (like within the last 4-5 years) because of the Hallyu wave. Interesting, thanks!
By: Asia on March 1, 2008
at 6:20 am
It sucks how lots of people give them bs just because they’re in SM ent. They’ve worked really hard to get where they are today.
By: lisa on March 2, 2008
at 4:41 am
hahah wow at least it’s not worst as yg..
By: lovingkyuhyunnie on March 7, 2008
at 9:02 am
wait wat do you mean it is at least not as hard as YG
it’s easier?
By: chris on July 8, 2009
at 12:59 am
I want to audition for SM Ent. I’m serious too. Evn if the training’s hard I still want to try.
By: SaranghaeLoVeUEternal on March 17, 2008
at 11:42 pm
Good Luck! I want to audition as well but I think I am too old (16). Going through all of the training is going to be worth it when you are known. Don’t give up and keep following your dreams.
By: Anonymous on June 19, 2009
at 10:46 am
I want too to audition im only 14. but im not a korean and cant speak and understand too but im really desperate about this and i can speak english fluently. im good in dancing and in singing too.and im from the philippines. so good luck for u and for me
By: Anonymous on May 16, 2012
at 4:09 pm
wow.. i want to try out too.. but sadly i have no musical talents.. ahah.. i do have acting experience tho.. but.. yeah.. i give props to those artists who train for so long, debut, and succeed… 😀 good job!
By: Tuesday on March 28, 2008
at 8:33 pm
You should try to audition for acting then since you have some experience in it. There is probably a chance that you would get in, who would know. Once you get in, you would train for so many things, you would be as good as other known entertainer.
By: Anonymous on June 19, 2009
at 10:49 am
[…] on the other hand, revealed that she had an unusual casting experience because she was discovered in a restroom in the US. This revelation brought laughter in […]
By: Girls’ Generation’s audition experiences « krnloop on April 3, 2008
at 12:55 pm
I’m from Malaysia and fifteen.I can sing,dance,act and model.I have perform for many ocassions in my country.Can I try my luck in this company?I knew there’s a global audition in Malaysia but I don’t know where is it held.Can you tell me?
Thank you..
By: Jessica on September 17, 2008
at 3:24 pm
I’m from California and fifteen. I can sing & dance a little. I haven’t perfomed in a long while but I’ve been begining to practice & will probably try out next year…maybe. I’m also Cambodian. Do you think SM will look for any Cambodian singers to hit it in South Korea? And can you give me suggestions on what SM usually looks for, what they want etc.
Thanks.
By: Davis on September 19, 2008
at 11:41 am
i really would like to say something to confort u since you are cambodian, because i have the same problem…i’m african..ohoh
but good luck girl!
By: Afrika on October 15, 2009
at 2:26 am
Haha! I’m a whitey, I want in too!
I’d do anything.
Besides strip and denounce my religion:)
By: Anonymous on May 26, 2010
at 3:49 am
I’m 13 and Korean, but I live in California. I’ve performed countless songs and have acted in several movies. My last performance was with my friends. We formed a band and we sing all the time at professional events. Do you think they’ll accept all of us as trainees?? I mean, we don’t mind the challenge. We all can speak English, Korean, Chinese, French, and Spanish fluently. We all had roughly about 9 years of dancing, singing, and acting lessons. Give me a suggestion?? We really want to enter the Korean Entertainment circle, but we’re not exactly the “prettiest” girls. We’re talented, but we’re average looking.
By: Sara on September 29, 2008
at 5:06 am
If you have the talent and descent in looking, there is a higher chance of you getting in Yg Entertainment Company than Sm Entertainment Company. You should try it out and see what happens. Good Luck!
By: Anonymous on June 19, 2009
at 10:54 am
hey, just believe in yourself. beauty is abstract. you might think you are not the prettiest girl but you can always be pretty in your on way. confidence is important, have confidence in yourself and you might outshone everybody else. anyway, Good luck in everything you do. Believing is power! when you are successful and popular don’t forget me. hehe.
By: hoppinghunnybunny on June 30, 2009
at 1:57 am
hey, just believe in yourself. beauty is abstract. you might think you are not the prettiest girl but you can always be pretty in your on way. confidence is important, have confidence in yourself and you might outshone everybody else. anyway, Good luck in everything you do. Believing is power! when you are successful and popular don’t forget me. hehe.
By: hoppinghunnybunny on June 30, 2009
at 2:01 am
I hope sm will carry out audition in sarawak…
By: Shin on November 22, 2008
at 10:16 pm
i know it’s hard as well, but i also want to aduition but the problem is that i am japanese w/ korean and chinese descent but fluent in any of the lauguages.well in japanese i’am but not in korean..
and i don’t want to send a CD .
i wanted to aduition in person.
i think that get’s you a better chance of getting picked becuase they will get to know you and your skills better.
i’m going to aduition when i’m 17 .
like in a year in a half..
during that time i will get better at singing, dancing,and rapping..
all i want is to make it.cuz if i don’t i’m not gonna aduition for another enertainment cuz the only one i want to be in is Sm.
because that way all get the chance that any fan would dream of ..
the chance to meet DBSk,super junior, and Shinee.
i pray to god i make it…(cuz thats my dream)
By: ♥Kyoung-Min♥(경숙 - 분) on December 7, 2008
at 8:43 am
Hey- the names Ava. I’m 14 and I live in the US with 9 years of dancing, singing and modeling experience along with the rest of my 3 member band. I am learning korean- but the only thing is….I’m only like 2% asian!!! SM only takes asians rite?? (not to be racist) I’m italian…and I’d be the first euro popstar if we had a hit right?? We want to audition so badly and everyday we have a practice meeting for 5 hours!! It’s a long day but its worth it. We plan to audition during the summer of 2009 but I need to know if they would accept me or not becuase of my ethnicity. We are soon opening a website and we’re looking for a new member so I’ll post again with the url.
In the mean time….any tips?? btw, I’m a SHINee fanatic and so is my group!!! 😀
our dream is really one..or two things: to dance and sing till the world ends. We’re truly that in love with it…so if anyone has annyyyy tips pleaseeee don’t hesitate to speak up!!!!!! good luck to all others!!!
By: *a* on January 2, 2009
at 10:23 am
hey, I also want to be in the korean entertainment, but Im not asian.. Im like 5 or 8 % asian.. so, can we talk about it someday? ;}
By: Anonymous on April 25, 2009
at 11:50 pm
I’m not asian at all.
By: Anonymous on May 26, 2010
at 3:58 am
I’m 16 n I’m cambodian… I auditioned n the lady said I have a nice alto voice. I hope I get a chance to make it in… Hopefully! Now I’m waiting on feedbacks! Wish me luck! I will work really hard! Because I just love to sing!
♥bi
By: Bi on January 14, 2009
at 2:55 pm
Hey did u get the feedbacks yet? how’d u do?
By: Azn on August 22, 2010
at 8:53 am
Hello!everyone i’m cambodian and this year 2009 i’m 16 years old.i love so entertainment so much and now i’m in training dancing,singing and to tell you the truth everyone said my face very look like korean.and i’m also beautiful.i wish i can become a korean singer in sm entertainment.now i’m going to study korea language.when i can speak english fluently. I will go to register become a singer at sm Entertainment.and i try to find some friend to create my team and show special dance to sm entertainment.please tell me about more info what are they going to do first?turn on the music and give us to dance or doing something first?if you can tell me i’m very appreciate it.bye!/(*_^)\
By: Kelcy on January 25, 2009
at 12:57 am
Sorry about my bad english.i mean i love sm Entertainment so much.and i’m going to study korean language and when i can speak korean fluently i will go to register at sm entertainment and show special dance to them.please forgive me about my writing wrong.pleaseeeeeee Forgive me!%/(@_@)\¥.
By: Kelcy on January 25, 2009
at 1:07 am
And one more thing i love all singer star in sm town especially:boa,girl’s generation,and new teenager group shinee,they all are so cuteeee!!! And very excellent style dancing but i actually love taemin he so cute and his look adorable dancing and minho,jonghyun,key,onew are too.love from:kelcy.%/(@_@)\%.
By: Kelcy on January 25, 2009
at 1:22 am
And one more thing i love all star in sm town and new group shinee.taemin are my favourite choice and all of them very excellent style dancing and of course boa, girl’s generation,and all star in sm town they all are cool.And sm are terrific entertainment.bye! Love from:kelcy¥/(*_^)\¥.
By: Kelcy on January 25, 2009
at 1:34 am
Hi it’s me again.today i’m gonna leave my response about SM TOWN.i love all style dancing of all singer in sm.and i wonder about how they gonna find magic dance from somewhere.how many time that they have to learn for 1 days?/(*_^)\lover girl(kelcy)
By: Kelcy on January 26, 2009
at 12:04 pm
PEOPLE. stop it. go to the actual website and fill in a app.
dont waste your time here, and fill out an actual app.
By: uhmuhna on February 4, 2009
at 3:16 pm
hahahaha…u’re right!
ppl get that body moving…go go go!!
By: Afrika on October 15, 2009
at 2:20 am
can someone help me,please?^^
is that right,u should be good in singing,dancing and acting?(sry ma english sucks^^)
or……..
thx
By: i-lin on February 26, 2009
at 1:07 am
Thanks a lot. 😀
Wow, there are a lot of people interested.
Lol, I got some competition.
Ahahaha!
For all of you guys who are going to audition or want to, good luck!
I want to audition too, but I’m only 14 and I still need to learn Korean before I do anything.
Kudos to all you guys.
I’m not the best dancer or the best singer, but I’m still not gonna give up.
Again, majorrr kudos.
You guys are really inspiring.
By: kamcolleen on March 6, 2009
at 11:07 am
no..you are the inspiration here.
GOOD LUCK ON THAT TOO GIRL!!
By: Afrika on October 15, 2009
at 2:19 am
I think your a nice person 🙂
By: Wongene on July 29, 2011
at 9:13 am
hello
i’m 21 yrs old, thai boy living in London, UK.
i can sing, dance and i’m also doing modeling.
i sing and dance in many occasions.
can i if it a try, and am i too old for this audition?
but i dont know how can i do an audition?
NathaN
By: NathaN on June 24, 2009
at 8:08 pm
hai,i’m from bali,i 18 years old i want to audition for sm enter,i’m very seriuos because i singging,dance,acting and modeling,i help reply to email jaeirumun@yahoo.com,please
By: minory on July 11, 2009
at 4:45 pm
o: man i really want to get in
and well i have alot of support
ive been dancing since i was two, hip hop that is.
i also no milkyway which is known as tecktonik, popping, cwalking, and others.
i think i have decent singing and my friends think i sing pretty good.
i honestly dont think im pretty o_o, but it might change
overall im very confident, since im taking SHINee’s advice, :] have self confidence and the chances of getting in are higher.
im full viet >< any tips?
By: Gina on July 18, 2009
at 5:50 am
YOU GO GIRL!!
By: Afrika on October 15, 2009
at 2:17 am
i just got signed on. its really hard so its not for the faint hearted. i mean it. u have like 5 hours to sleep on a lucky day
good luck though
but they do want pretty ppl and talent
asians 2
By: :) on August 1, 2009
at 11:28 am
oh man!!
they just want asian ppl..too bad for…haha
but its ok dreamin i guese…but hey, tell me how u got signed and how ur days at the training are.
By: Afrika on October 15, 2009
at 2:16 am
So 🙂
Can u tell me ur experience in the audition
Pls
Can u try out fir more than one thing
By: Yuko on August 1, 2009
at 2:43 pm
Awww man.. this is really, really tough competition… look at all the comments and the talents that you people have..oh well got to keep your hopes high xD
me and my friend ju are going to just put up videos on youtube and see how that goes [haha!! you guys come watch us!!] ..but we live in Aus..== at least we’re Asian!! ^^ i don’t think i’m good looking but ju is really nice..yep you heard me ju!! ummm since we live so far away we’re gonna try hard >< we mostly know Japanese, some Chinese (mandarin) and are fluent at english!!! we are currently 14 xD
❤ bands like dbsk, ft.island, snsd, shinee, etc…
GAME ON PEOPLE!!!
bring it ha hah
By: Jenii on August 10, 2009
at 5:53 pm
dont matter if u’ru good looking or not just go for it.
and like u said at least you are asian, as for me that i’m african…wababa…that’s even more complicated…ahhaha…GOOD LUCK!
PS: dont forget to notify us when u put videos on youtube.
By: Afrika on October 15, 2009
at 2:14 am
LoL True that jennii
Haha
we arent ppl who do great in the arts subjects but we will just act like idiots on utube… well hope it turns out well
Even though jennii and i want to make it into SM entertainment, i am still against them if the bad rumors of it are true…
so sad we cant dance, sing,act or model haha
we are pretty much un-talented ;L
but lets just give it a shot for fun …
But since Sm enter. is a korean company – i think we have to learn korean if we become a trainee…
oh well … haha
By: Jaytee on August 10, 2009
at 6:04 pm
we can learn Korean.. its oki….
cauz we’re smart 😎
lolol
ye we’ll try .. but it sound pretty tough ..considering what everybody says..stay 귀여운 and try your best xD
By: Jenii on August 10, 2009
at 6:08 pm
Hi, I’m asian
I can dance and sing but I’m not korean and can’t speak it fluently….
so but how can i audition?
—>please help!!
By: Anisha on August 18, 2009
at 10:04 pm
Whatssup girl?
i can dance and sing but i´m at the same situation as you..i can not speak Korean, but at least u can speak a bit.
i live in Brazil and i’m african and i’m trying my best to go to Korea because4 i really would like to participate.
But my intention is to form a group with at least 2 members..but it is complicated.
But for i think i f u try hard enough u will get there. GOOD LUCK!!
By: Afrika on October 15, 2009
at 2:10 am
Would vocal lessons help me? And are vocal lessons in korea for k-pop the same with the vocal lessons here in canada?
By: Belle on August 19, 2009
at 7:56 am
I’m 23 and i really would like to get in SM Ent, but it’s even more complicated to me since i am african, i’m still learning korean and i live in Brazil..hauahu!!
Too hrad for me, but honestly i believ in my dreams and i’m trying my best to go to Korea because that’s a lot easier to learn korean and maybe…who know…make part of that training team..heheh!
Ps: i really would like to form a band
By: Afrika on October 15, 2009
at 2:04 am
We can both work together xD
By: Wongene on July 29, 2011
at 10:27 am
i’ve had left so much comments on ur scraps..that’s me. ilike people that likes to share teir dreams.
Good luck to all of you!!
As for me i’ll be always here to confort you and make u not give up on that!!
kisses to all of you!!
By: Afrika on October 15, 2009
at 2:28 am
Hello,
My name is Emma and i’m from Germany .
Here in Germany a lot of Fans from SHINee.
Why SHINee don’t come to Germany for a Concert?
Maybe in KÖLN or Dortmund ?
Lots of greets from Germany !<3
Here all lots of Fans!
SHINee ❤
By: Germany on April 3, 2010
at 1:02 am
I want SM ENTERTAINMENT to come to Singapore for their GLobal Auditions very very badly !!!
PLEASE PLEASE COME 😦
By: Korea on April 30, 2010
at 10:19 pm
hi to all i’m 19 years female from north of afrika i’ve a great powerfull voice i’m a good dancer i play piano and guitar since 4 years i can act and i am beautifull i look like chinese but sm ent accept ppl who isn’t asian but i look like chinese that sure
By: Afrikan on June 1, 2010
at 8:55 pm
O M G! wow thats what iv been looking for! no translation on the sm site!? man kind os physcs u out! TY!
By: Tisharne on September 27, 2010
at 1:11 pm
i like to me a singer just like you guys does. i like to sing in korea because i my dream to become a singer.
By: kalia soong on November 15, 2010
at 10:16 pm
i like to me a singer just like you guys does. i like to sing in korea because my dream to become a singer.
By: kalia soong on November 15, 2010
at 10:16 pm
Hey, just wanna know. Does sm take people who is dark skin. But not really dark. Does sm look for people who is fair and pretty ? Sm main focus is on features or talent ? Please let me know. I would love to be have an audition in sm. Thanks 😀
By: Nurul on December 31, 2010
at 5:29 am
Hey, I’m from the UK im 14 and really want to be a kpop star! I don’t speak the language but I dance sing act and model! Would they consider me? Thanks
By: Luke on January 8, 2012
at 2:15 am
Are you Asian?
By: Lisa on November 1, 2012
at 1:43 pm
It doesn’t matter what your race is you should always try
By: Cassie Li on November 1, 2012
at 1:45 pm
I’m from Myanmar and eighteen.I can sing,dance,act and model.Please can u make SM casting system in Myanmar.I would love to be have an audition in sm.
By: Anonymous on March 2, 2012
at 4:06 pm
I’m from Myanmar and eighteen.I can sing,dance,act and model.Please can u make SM casting system in Myanmar.I would love to be have an audition in sm.
By: junior on March 2, 2012
at 4:07 pm
Hello my name is Jordan I have 16 years’m from Peru and I have 7 months to learn Korean. but no singing or anything I get in a baile.pero dance courses and canto.Pero had a question, in the SM and knowing you have to enter some dancing and singing. oh they teach you everything?. I beg you please answer me.
By: jordan on May 4, 2012
at 1:17 am
but I have a doubt until what age can the casting to be a singer and dancer in SM entertainment.espero not be very old (16): (
By: jordan on May 4, 2012
at 1:21 am
its better if ur 13 like me but i think i have no chance to go in coz im not a korean .im a filipino and i have no money to go to korea just to audition…………………….
By: Anonymous on May 16, 2012
at 4:21 pm
pls do i have chance to join in sm casting system pls answer meeeeee………….T____T
By: Anonymous on May 16, 2012
at 4:23 pm
I want to try out too. I’m Korean and still a pretty young age. Im good at singing (just a little practice on my high notes) and if I practice I can dance a few moves professionally. The only problem is that my parents don’t support it. They want me to have a nice, good-paying job. But at least I know that it won’t stop me from singing.
By: Anonymous on July 5, 2012
at 9:18 pm
I was basically browsing for points for my personal site and uncovered your own blog, “SM Entertainments casting system
krnloop”, would you care in the event that
I really apply a few of your concepts? Thanks a lot -Lesley
By: http://tinyurl.com/houslloyd04812 on February 8, 2013
at 3:18 pm
i want to get a interview
but i am a hong konger
i want to be a pop star like girl generation
By: Anonymous on June 24, 2013
at 3:14 pm
Hi, i feel that i noticed you visited my website thus i got here to go
back the choose?.I’m trying to in finding issues to improve my site!I guess its ok to use some of your ideas!!
By: TruGreen on August 22, 2013
at 3:54 am
Hey, should i go for it? im 16 and im from new york city, the big problem is that i dont feel like i should give up my great education sigh anyway i feel like i’m just too old. i’m pretty good at dancing (i always lead dancer in ballet and hip hop) and this might sound shallow but i’ve been told i’m quite pretty, i’ve been street casted a couple of times when i was visiting korea (which i never bothered to go to auditions for because of my education) but yea i just feel like im too old heol.
By: sera on December 3, 2013
at 10:15 am
You’re not too old
I think the older you are the less amount of training you going to get if you make it through the audition
You will be debut faster
By: Anonymous on January 20, 2014
at 2:34 pm
I’m 11 and I live in geogia I’m vietnamese fluet in vietnamese and English don’t know korean but I’m pretty good at dancing and singing but can I join still if I don’t know korean?
By: Anonymous on December 29, 2013
at 6:32 am
I really want to be a good singer in SM entertainment.Now I’m 18 years old.When I finish my high school , I want to go to korea for SM audition.But now I’m 18 so my age is
too old for trainee.So I don’t know what to do.When I was 12 I really want to be a good singer in korea.I’m a girl with white skin and tall girl.Everybody said that my face is same with korean actress ‘park shin hye’.But I don’t think so.In my country Myanmar I have white skin but in korea my skin is normal.My name is ‘Wut yi win’ Wut yi means ‘Nectar’.But I’m going to crazy.I’m so afarid .My dreams…… cry
By: Jung han on September 2, 2014
at 6:04 pm
What about Europe
By: Anonymous on March 9, 2015
at 12:35 am
Okay,hi all,I’m 14years old and i’m not Asian, I’m Georgian but people told me that i look like Korean girl . so is that problem? I sing sicnce i was 8 years and my only dream is to be idol.
By: Ninna on January 7, 2016
at 1:33 am
Me gustaria hacer una audición la verdad estoy aprendiendo inglés muy pronto aprendere coreano y pues mi habilidad para el canto es algo avanzada, para el baile actualmente bailo danza folklórica, k-pop y por último pienso que no soy tan mala para actuar. Alguien que sepa sobre las audiciones comentelo. Gracias.
By: Naomi on February 16, 2016
at 12:45 am