Article: Top 10 Korean Idols Who Became Famous Before Their Debut

Various Korean idols are famous around the whole world. There are Korean idols who have taken over entire music industry with their unique charms, music, dance, etc. Many idols stole people’s hearts even before debuting. Many Idols that became famous as trainees only. Here is a list of the Top 10 Korean idols who became famous before their debut.

1. Jennie Kim

Jennie is a very talented artist. She is a member of Blackpink. Jennie won the hearts of people many years before debiting. She made various appearances in different shows before her debut; YG entertainment gave a sneak peak of her talents before her debut. She became even more famous when featured in G-Dragon’s song “Black.” She debuted as a member of Blackpink in 2016. Fans love her unique charms and different style of rapping.

2. Wendy

Wendy was also really popular before her debut for extraordinary vocals. In high school, she uploaded different covers of Korean and English songs. Wendy performed songs of many other singers like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. The videos showed her extraordinary musical talents. These videos made her famous even before her debut as a member of Red Velvet. Wendy loves singing and is also a radio host.

3. Ryunjin

Ryunjin gained a lot of attention before debuting as a member of ITZY. She became famous when she appeared on BTS’s Love Yourself Highlight Reel. People admired her for fantastic dancing skills and eye-catching visuals. She also got famous when she played a small role in the movie “The King.” Ryunjin also appeared in the show MIXNINE. She was one the most famous trainee on the show; however, she got eliminated from the show but stole people’s hearts. Ryunjin even made headlines when she appeared in MIXNINE. She made her official as a member of ITZY after a year in 2019.

4. Dahyun

Dahyun became famous many years before her debut. She performed an Eagle Dance at her church, whose video instantly went viral throughout Korea. She got people’s attention with her eagle dance. A JYP scout noticed her after a dance competition where she choreographed herself and made her music. She had the talent for stealing people’s attention wherever she went. After three years of training, she officially debuted as a member of the girl group Twice in 2015.

5. Jeon So-Yeon

Soyeon is a member of the K-pop group (G)I-DLE. Soyeon appearanced in different shows, which gave made her famous even before debut. She appeared as Cube Entertainment representative on the first season of “Producer 101.” She gained so much fame as she ranked 10th in the fifth episode. Soyeon also appeared as a contestant on the third season of “Unpretty Rapstar.” She was the second runner in this show. She became famous before her debut as leader of (G)I-DLE. The group debuted in August 2021 with five members.

6. Rose

Rose was also very popular before her debut as a member of Blackpink. She featured on G-Dragon’s song “Without You” in 2012. The Company didn’t reveal her name in the music video. Without you became too much famous Korea which eventually made Rose too much renowned too. She got a lot of fame even before company disclosed her name. Rose was born in New Zealand. Fans love her for unique vocals and astonishing visuals. Blackpink debuted in 2016 and is given love from Korean as and international fans. She is praised for her fantastic dance skills and singing.

7. Yura

Yura was also famous before her debut. She was famous since she was in high school for her different and stunning visuals. She even had her own personal CY world page, which was recognized in South Korea then. Around sixty companies wanted to recruit Yura because of her amazing visuals. She joined Dream T Entertainment as she wanted to debut before graduating high school. She debuted as a member of Girl’s Day after training for one month only. Her real name is Kim Ah Young. Today Yura is a very successful singer and actress.

8. Karina

Karina is a member of the girl group Aespa. She was famous before her debut because of her amazing visuals. Karina’s pre-debut pictures went too much viral on social media. Karina was also a backup dancer for Shinee’s Taemin Live performance. She was given lot of attention after her performance as a backup dancer.  She is the leader of Aespa and a member of the female unit GOT the beat.  She officially debuted as a member of Aespa in 2020 under SM Entertainment.

9. Kim Min-Ju

Kim Minju was also famous before her debut. She was well-known as Kreisha Chu’s best friend. Kreisha Chu is a renowned singer in South Korea. Kim Minju appeared in Kreisha Chu’s reality show; she was also seen in Kreisha’s live streams. Kim Minju gained fame when she appeared in Kreisha’s debut music video for “Trouble.” Kim Minju officially debuted as a member of IZ*ONE in 2018.

10. Lee Seung-Hoon

Seunghoon became famous when he was on the audition program K-pop Star. He became massively popular on the show. There were lots of headlines about it even before he debuted. He was praised for his incredible talents on the show. Seunghoon’s elimination from the show was tearful for the judges as well. Judges also liked Seunghoon too much. After K-pop Star, he was offered position in YG Entertainment. He was given a lot of attention even in his trainee days. In 2013 Seunghoon officially debuted as a member of the K-pop group Winner.