7 Talented Kpop Former Trainees of SM Entertainment

Many Kpop idols moved from one agency to another to find better luck and start a debut in the South Korean entertainment industry. After becoming Kpop former trainees in one agency, they tried their luck in another agency. Luckily, some of them finally made a debut and is now successful as Kpop idols.

First Entertainment Agency

One of the biggest entertainment agencies that reckoned in South Korea is SM Entertainment. SM Entertainment is the first entertainment agency in South Korea, and also dubbed as a “flower garden.” This is because they have many idols with visual overrated, besides their talent in singing and dancing. The agency has produced many great female idols, such as S.E.S, Girls’ Generation, BoA, Red Velvet, and more.

Known for its high debut standard and strict management, many trainees found it hard to stay and continue as SM trainees. Including Kpop former trainees who have an excellent visual but also a great talent.

Their decision to leave the agency either as eliminated trainees or they decided to leave on their own. Let’s check out these Kpop former trainees who once SM trainees before their debut.

KPop Former Trainees under SM Entertainment

1. Lee Hyori

📸 Lee Hyori looks good in short hair 💕 Here are some of her photos for Marie Claire~ https://t.co/kNmDqRbV9V pic.twitter.com/I1LrB8UPmT
— The Seoul Story (@theseoulstory) October 17, 2018

One of the female idols dubbed as KPop Diva, Lee Hyori used to be one of SM trainees. She was planned to have a debut with other female idols in the S.E.S Kpop girl group. She was leaving as an SM trainee and joined Fin.K.L t.

2. IOI / Cosmic Girls’ Yoo Yeon Jung

Princess Yoo Yeonjung 👧🏻💘#유연정 #아이오아이 #IOI pic.twitter.com/OGGTlgzx5C
— hourly I.O.I #아이오아이 (@hourlyIOI_) July 8, 2020

Yoo Yeon Jung is a Kpop former trainee at SM Entertainment at a young age. Right now, she is under Starship Entertainment and Yuehua Entertainment. She has been active as one of the female idols in Cosmic Girls, the South Korean-Chinese girl group.

3. RAINBOW’s Hyunyoung

Best maknae in K-POP girl’s group all of time for me..

Rainbow Cho HyunYoung @Hyunyoung_C #i_am_still_ #RAINBOW #Hyunyoung pic.twitter.com/Jg2IjlIxgJ
— Honeyboo~🐯 (@lincimut) November 1, 2019

Hyunyoung is the main vocalist and maknae of the Kpop girl group, Rainbow. She was an SM trainee before debuting in DSP Media.

4. Weeekly’s Jihan

[#우연] 항상 행복하세요!💚#wooyeon #wooah #우아

pic.twitter.com/RvXRAdgZoQ
— woo!ah! 우연 Wooyeon (@WooAh_Wooyeon) July 13, 2020

Han Jihyo, or known as Jihan, is under PlayM Entertainment. Previously she was one of SM trainees for 3 years.

5. WOO!AH!’s Nana

I can’t get over how pretty woo!ah! ‘s Nana is…. How did big 3 and bh+soumu not snatch her as a trainee.. Not only is she beautiful but she’s a good rapper, definitely main dancer material and also has very good vocals. Truly an ace. @wooah_nv #WOOAH #WELCOMEWOOAH pic.twitter.com/YI3fhorLwE
— syassoody ✨#PLAY #환상동화 #OOPSY #BUTTERFLY (@syassoody) May 15, 2020

There are two female idols in Woo!ah! that used to be SM trainees. First is Kwon Nayeon or known as Nana. She is the leader, main dancer, lead vocal, lead rapper, visual of Woo!ah!

6. WOO!AH!’s Wooyeon

200713 Preview

🙂#위클리 #Weeekly #지한 #Jihan #한지효 pic.twitter.com/NnJd0igQgD
— ᴄᴏᴏᴋɪᴇ ᴊᴀʀ🍪 (@Cookie_Jar___) July 13, 2020

Like Nana, Wooyeon was also one of SM trainees and moved to NV Entertainment. Together with Nana, they made a debut in May 2020 with the ‘EXCLAMATION’ album.

7. Rocket Punch’s Dahyun

🌰Rocket Punch’s BABY JEONG-SQUIRREL: A Thread🌰#Rocket_Punch #로켓펀치 #DAHYUN #다현 pic.twitter.com/Hc9XUAshMs
— Just Rocket Punch Things (@JustRCPCthings) April 16, 2020

Another female idol who was also an eliminated trainee is Rocket Punch’s Dahyun. She is now under Woollim Entertainment in August 2019.