Jason Yu had a short time as a trainee at Big Hit, BTS’s agency. He appreciates the company’s support for young artists.
Jason Yu, a former trainee at Big Hit, once opened up about his time practicing and getting trained at one of the 4 major entertainment companies of the Kpop industry. Specifically, he revealed how he was scouted by BTS’s agency.
Jason Yu said after he passed Big Hit’s online audition, he was covered by the company for travel expenses to head to Korea. Upon his arrival at the airport, Jason, the same as other foreign trainees, were picked up by Big Hit staff to the dorm. He was then taken on a tour of the company where he could take a look around the building and meet senior trainees.
After joining Big Hit, he had to learn Korean and take part in dance classes 6 days a week. Each lesson took him 2 hours every day. “We had a lot more free time than I thought a trainee would. But trainees are expected to train by ourselves in our free time. So we get Sundays off but on Sunday, we are still expected to come to the company and practice a little bit”, Jason Yu said.
According to Jason Yu, Big Hit supports many expenses for trainees. He appreciates the friendliness and openness of the staff. The company also does not force trainees to diet or undergo plastic surgery. However, if trainees want to do anything to change their appearance, such as getting a haircut or a new hair color, it is required to tell the manager beforehand.
“I was an unofficial trainee for 2 months so they didn’t moderate me as much as other trainees. Towards the end they told me if you do get signed, they were gonna have a certain weight goal for me,” Jason Yu said when asked about if he had his diet and appearance controlled as a trainee.
Jason Yu said one thing he didn’t like was that the company’s support for food expenses for trainees was too little, only 8 USD/day. “That amount was only enough for lunch, so for breakfast and dinner, I usually paid for myself,” he said.
After two months of training, Jason Yu had to do an evaluation test. He had to perform a 9-minute choreography that he had learned for the last 2 months in front of the camera and some managers. Trainees who successfully made the cut for the evaluation would be signed a contract.
Jason Yu added that there were very few trainees offered to stay because of the fierce competition. They only got one chance to showcase their talents in front of the judges, and not everyone did well.
Jason Yu is currently a Singaporean singer and songwriter. He once released the album Now I Know, Hearts Release.
