I Want To Be A K-Pop Idol: Can Intensive Bootcamps In South Korea Help? - Part 2 | Talking Point
Summary
TLDRThe video follows Kate, a 14-year-old aspiring K-pop idol, who participates in a 10-day intensive boot camp in Korea after failing her initial audition with a top agency. These boot camps, often run by independent companies, promise participants a chance to perform for casting managers. While the training is rigorous and offers a glimpse into the life of a trainee, the likelihood of getting signed remains low. The video explores the challenges, costs, and realities of these boot camps, questioning their effectiveness and shedding light on the dreams and struggles of international K-pop hopefuls like Kate.
Takeaways
- 🎤 Kate, an aspiring K-pop idol, did not pass her audition with a major K-pop agency but remains determined to pursue her dream.
- 🎓 She enrolled in a 10-day K-pop boot camp in South Korea as a backup plan to enhance her skills and gain exposure.
- 🏫 The boot camp is not run by major agencies but offers training in dance, vocals, modeling, and performance to hopeful idols.
- ⏰ The training is intense, with participants enduring 14-15 hour days filled with rehearsals and classes.
- 💃 Kate was given the center position in one of the dance formations, which increased her visibility but also added pressure.
- 💸 Participants paid around $2,000 for the boot camp, which includes lodging and training but no guaranteed audition opportunities.
- 🎬 On the final day, participants perform in front of casting managers, with only a small percentage making it to private auditions.
- 🤔 Boot camps offer some exposure but are not a replacement for the years of rigorous training needed to become a successful K-pop idol.
- 🎟 Kate made it to the private auditions but must convince her parents to allow her to pursue further training in Korea.
- 🌍 K-pop hopefuls from countries like Singapore face unique challenges, including limited support and connections, making it harder to break into the industry.
Q & A
What was the main goal of Kate and other participants in the K-pop boot camp?
-The main goal of Kate and the other participants was to gain experience and skills necessary to become K-pop idols, with the hope of impressing casting managers during the final showcase for a chance to audition for major entertainment agencies.
Why didn’t Kate’s parents support her pursuit of becoming a K-pop idol?
-Kate’s parents prioritized her education and had concerns about the mental and emotional challenges associated with being a K-pop idol, such as the pressures from social media and the competitive nature of the industry. They made an agreement with Kate that she could not pursue the idol career until she turned 21.
What were the expectations of participants attending the boot camp?
-Participants expected the boot camp to be rigorous, with a strict schedule involving long hours of dance and vocal training. They hoped to gain skills and potentially perform in front of casting managers for a chance to become trainees with K-pop agencies.
How does the boot camp training compare to the actual training of K-pop trainees in Korea?
-The boot camp training was intense but much shorter and less comprehensive compared to the multi-year training actual K-pop trainees undergo in Korea. Actual trainees often spend years honing their skills in dance, vocals, and performance while boot camps provide a condensed experience.
What is the significance of the 'director check-in' during the boot camp?
-The 'director check-in' is an evaluation where participants perform in front of instructors and receive feedback on their progress. This allows the boot camp organizers to make adjustments in preparation for the final showcase and ensure that the participants are on track.
What percentage of boot camp participants typically get a chance to audition in front of casting managers?
-Typically, only about 5-6% of participants get a chance to audition in front of casting managers at the private auditions. However, in this particular boot camp, around 10% of participants made it through to the private auditions.
Why do boot camp organizers focus on ensuring high-quality participants for the showcase?
-Boot camp organizers are strict about the quality of participants because it increases the likelihood of attracting casting managers from top-tier K-pop agencies. The success of the boot camp relies on presenting talents that can meet the high standards of the industry.
What challenges do international idol hopefuls, like Singaporeans, face when trying to break into the K-pop industry?
-International idol hopefuls face several challenges, including lack of connections with K-pop agencies, the need for fluency in Korean, and the industry’s competitive nature. Additionally, there are limited support systems or companies in countries like Singapore to help nurture and promote talent in Korea.
What are the financial costs associated with attending a K-pop boot camp?
-Participants in the K-pop boot camp paid around $2,500 Singapore dollars, which covered lodging and courses, including dance, vocals, modeling, and photo shoot training.
What are the potential drawbacks of attending a K-pop boot camp for aspiring idols?
-The potential drawbacks include the short duration of the boot camp, which may not be enough to significantly improve skills, and the low probability of getting selected by casting managers. Boot camps can also be expensive, and without the right connections or long-term training, they may not lead to a successful K-pop career.
Outlines
🎤 K-pop Audition Journey and Boot Camp Experience
The video script details the journey of aspiring idols preparing for auditions with a top K-pop entertainment agency. It follows Kate, who, after failing to advance in auditions, decides to participate in a 10-day K-pop boot camp in Korea. The boot camp, organized by an independent company, offers intensive training in dance, vocals, and even modeling, with the promise of a performance in front of casting managers on the final day. Despite the boot camp's popularity, it's not run by idol agencies and is one of many programs aiming to capitalize on K-pop dreams. The script explores the rigorous training, the pressure on participants, and the slim chances of getting noticed by top agencies.
💃 Intensive Training and the Struggle for the Spotlight
This paragraph delves into the grueling training regimen at the boot camp, where participants are expected to memorize complex choreography in a short time. The importance of the 'director check-in' is highlighted, where participants perform for an evaluator to assess their progress. The script contrasts the boot camp's training with that of actual idol hopefuls in Korea, who often train for months or years at specialized academies. The boot camp's high cost and the mixed feelings of participants about its value are also discussed, along with the physical and mental challenges they face, such as long hours and the pressure of performing in front of casting managers.
🏆 Showcase Performances and the Pursuit of Idol Stardom
The script describes the high-stakes interim assessment where participants perform for the boot camp director, Angela Lee, and the importance of this event in determining their progress and potential opportunities. It also discusses the Showcase, a critical day for participants to impress casting managers from top-tier labels, with only a small percentage likely to be selected for private auditions. The challenges faced by Singaporean idol hopefuls in breaking into the K-pop industry are explored, including the lack of local support and connections necessary for success.
👨👩👧👦 Parental Concerns and the Reality of the Idol Industry
This section focuses on the perspectives of parents and the sacrifices required for their children to pursue a career in the idol industry. It includes an interview with a Singaporean K-pop investor who discusses the lack of Singaporean success in K-pop and the need for deeper industry connections. The script also touches on the parental agreement that their child will not progress in the industry despite potential opportunities, due to concerns about the harsh environment and the importance of education and a traditional career path.
🌟 The Final Showcase and the Uncertain Path to Stardom
The final paragraph covers the boot camp's culmination in a showcase attended by casting agents, where participants have the chance to be selected for private auditions. It discusses the slim chances of success, the importance of the Showcase for participants, and the reality that only a small percentage will advance. The script also includes a candid look at the K-pop industry's challenges, the love for K-pop among fans, and the uncertain future for idol hopefuls, with a note of hope that despite the odds, their passion for K-pop remains strong.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡K-pop Boot Camp
💡Audition
💡Casting Managers
💡Trainee
💡Showcase
💡Private Audition
💡Idol Training
💡Independent Training Programs
💡K-pop Industry
💡Singapore Idol Hopefuls
Highlights
Idol hopefuls prepare for auditions with top K-pop entertainment agencies.
Kate, despite not passing initial auditions, remains determined to pursue her dream.
Kate's alternative plan involves a trip to Korea for a K-pop boot camp.
Boot camps are intensive training programs organized by independent companies.
Participants are promised a chance to perform in front of casting managers on the final day.
Boot camps have become popular as a way to capitalize on K-pop ambitions.
14-year-old Kate is chosen to join a boot camp after an audition.
Boot camp training is described as stressful and tiring, with long days.
Trainees are expected to memorize a 4-minute choreography in a short time.
Dance instructor assigns positions for formations, with the center spot being the most coveted.
Participants pay up to $2,000 to join the boot camp, covering lodging and various courses.
Boot camp training is compared to training at a popular K-pop academy.
Boot camps may not significantly improve skills in a short period but offer audition opportunities.
Showcases at boot camps are crucial for attracting casting managers from major labels.
Only a small percentage of participants are likely to get a chance at a private audition.
Kate's parents express concerns about the pressures of the K-pop industry and her future.
Kate's determination to pursue her idol dream despite her parents' disapproval.
Kate's performance at the boot camp showcase and her hopes for a private audition.
The reality of making it in the K-pop industry and the challenges faced by idol hopefuls.
Kate's participation in private auditions and the potential for her to be signed as an idol trainee.
The contrast between the boot camp experience and the rigorous training of established K-pop stars.
Transcripts
[Music]
previously on talking point I followed
fan turn Idol hopefuls as they gear up
for an audition with one of Korea's top
K-pop entertainment
agencies I suppose I didn't get in so
I'm little bit sad about it I didn't
make it to the next round I'll keep
trying my best until I get accepted to
become a traine I have gotten any
results from the agency so I feel like
the chances of getting in is quite
low if Kate had cleared the audition she
would stand a chance to sign on as a
trainee and potentially debut in the
future she didn't pass the auditions but
Kate isn't giving up on her dream she's
moving on to plan
B a trip to
Korea
for a K-pop boot
[Music]
camp Kate has signed up for this 10-day
intensive program don't be mistaken this
isn't run by idle agencies it's one of
many training programs organized by
independent companies some not even
based in
career on the final day participants are
promised a chance to perform in front of
casting
managers boot camps organized by
companies wanting to cash in on the
K-pop ambition have become popular in
recent years what's it like to join an
idle boot camp and is it really the
golden ticket into the K-pop industry or
just a marketing
gimmick earlier in 2023 an
australian-based company started by
Singaporean Angela Lee look at a camera
okay help auditions in various countries
to pick a select few to join her boot
camp in South
[Music]
Korea it was like
very no breing for me yeah but I think I
did pretty well in the audition
14-year-old Kate was chosen she's joined
by 72 other Idol hopefuls from Singapore
and other countries like France
Australia and
[Music]
Brazil
so kid how has training been so far
pretty stressful and like tiring as well
our days are very long it's from 7 a.m.
we wake up and then like 10 do you feel
like this is a good alternative because
you didn't make the cut for the
auditions earlier yes I feel like this
like this week extra training will also
give me the experience of how being a
training like
today is particularly important because
there's a director check-in happening
and what is a director check-in we get
evaluator and R for each team and we
have to perform in front of
[Music]
Ang today I've joined Kate in her
training to get a taste of just how
rigorous it can
be
to instill discipline participants are
told to stay silent as they wait for the
dance instructor to
[Music]
arrive participants are expected to
memorize a 4minute choreography by today
this will be presented to Casting
managers on the final day of the boot
[Music]
camp dance instructor an ROM has to
assign the dancers their positions for
the
formations getting Prime spot at the
center means a higher chance of getting
noticed by casting
managers
[Music]
we managed to like finish like the whole
song but we didn't finish the formations
because it was very rushed it's training
for boot cam more rigorous than you
expected I expected that it would be
very tough usually at home our lce class
we take about 10 lessons to finish one
song but now it's just like few days to
finish a song I also not used to waking
up early it's like very tiring cuz we
get very little sleep
also during the dance class you were
assigned the center position in one of
the formations how did that make you
feel it made me feel very happy but yet
I'm a bit stressed cuz there's so many
like better dancers in the group and I'm
scared you might think oh why she in the
center but do you think you deserve it I
think
so everyone paid close to $2,000 $500
Sing dollars to join this boot camp this
covers lodging and courses geared to
groom and Idol everything from dance
vocals even
modeling and photo shoot
[Music]
classes I found the dance training more
strenuous than I expected the other
classes like photo shoot classes and
modeling classes however felt more like
courses at a fun summer camp so how does
the training at boot camp compare to the
training that actual Idol hopefuls in
Korea can
get I'm bringing what I've learned to SL
Studio a popular Academy that offers
courses like vocals dance rap and
acting acmis like this run like after
class cram schools where Idol hopefuls
in career commonly attend for months to
even years until they get spotted by
casting
[Music]
managers I joined a K-pop boot camp and
it was a full 14 15 hour days of dance
classes vocal lessons let me show
[Music]
you
wow so does this match up to the
training
inmy
[Music]
how successful can a boot camp be in
preparing one for real Idol
training
ENT
if online and offline Global auditions
are already available is it even worth
it to come to Korea for a boot
camp boot camps are unlikely to improve
a participant skills significantly in a
short period of time all that matters is
whether they can get Idol hopefuls an
opportunity to audition for top labels
in Korea so to what extent can this
upcoming showcase attract casting
Managers from major
labels to convince casting Managers from
Top tier agencies to attend year after
year boot camp organizers are strict
about the quality of talents presented
to them your formation looks massive the
other three teams have caught up today
that's why you are in your position
[Music]
[Music]
[Applause]
today today over 70 participants are
gearing up for an interim assessment of
their showcase performances with boot
camp director Angela
Lee it's 8:00 p.m. now we started our at
7:00 a.m. and we still have another hour
before director checkin tonight
throughout the day I've seen people
start to sit out of practices even
spotted some people
crying doing 14 15 hour days for 9 days
straight is really no Child's
Play ranking City position right here
quickly quickly ranking order where is
your life
right we'll start with b
today Kate's team is the first to
[Music]
[Music]
[Applause]
perform
[Applause]
okay so we're going to give all the
ranking first team team
[Applause]
a second team team
B Team c a lot of clean up work to do
after
this why is an interim check-in like
this so important if we don't do
check-in we wouldn't know how far they
have progressed and what adjustment we
need to make in order to make the
Showcase how high are the stakes for the
Showcase we have labels that of top
tiers that work with us as well and if
the trainers are really serious about
trying to become an agency traine the
Showcase is actually a really important
day for them after the Showcase what
happens then the partner agencies will
actually provide their list of who they
want to see at their private audition so
it's not guaranteed that all the
participants get to audition for this
private audition that is right based on
the past runs of the boot camp what
percentage of participants are likely to
get a chance to audition in this private
audition probably around 5 to 6% in any
scouting who will really be the one that
they're looking for are usually a very
small percentage there are actually many
factors that we can't
control why is it that so few impress
casting managers enough to get through
to the private
auditions I'm meeting casting director
Darren ju he's casted renowned K-pop
Idols including mini from new jeans have
you casted anyone through boot
camps
[Music]
so what makes a casting agent like you
want to go for these boot camp showcases
to scout for
talent
how high of a chance do you think
Singaporean Idol H hopefuls have in
becoming a K-pop
Star while the chances of getting casted
at a boot camp appears slim it's not
entirely
impossible are you ready
the bake
the would Kate catch the eye of casting
Agents from Top labels in the K-pop
industry and score herself a private
[Music]
[Applause]
audition K-pop casting managers say
singaporeans have an edge over others
because many of us are
bilingual but why haven't we seen any
singaporeans make it big in K-pop
then 36-year-old Singaporean K-pop
investor David y has some
answers he debuted as a K-pop artist in
2022 to get inroads into the workings of
the
industry why do you think Idol hopefuls
from Singapore have had such limited
success in making it as an idol in Korea
there are
no Singapore companies that have the
required connections to support the
growth of uh Singapore youths talents
how much of a difference does joining a
boot camp make for idle hope fools from
Singapore if you want to look at it as a
career to really de and be serious about
it bot camps are not going to cut it you
need a company or agency that can get
you the music bang showcase your skills
on the big uh TV
stations get onto variety shows it's
really about spending years of training
to really make the grade because during
this training period you not only
acquire skills but you are become an
Insider in the industry the important
part is to educate the parents to be
able to accept their kids going over to
Korea to train to pursue a different
career rather than traditional
career
[Music]
[Applause]
[Music]
hello
hello how are you are you enjoying
yourself it's been good quite ding but
still very fun if was elected by an
agency at the Showcase will you let her
take the next step it's going to be a no
because before she attended the boot
camp right we have this uh agreement
that she will not be progressing to the
next level even if she's selected why is
that once she's 21 right I think she she
gets to choose what she want to do for
now we just want her to focus on the
studies we read a lot of news about um
K-Pop Stars committing suicide social
media is is is a very tough environment
you get a lot of nasty commands so I
think we have to protect her as a parent
why did you agree to send her to the
boot camp I was quite reluctant I
discussed with my wife and we think that
it's only fair that we give her a chance
to experience it but the condition is
that she has to be able to do well in
her study in her sect to level and she
did well anything else you want to say
to kid yeah really miss her you know I
want to see her back home
soon see you in two weeks Yeah by have a
good night bye bye
bye how does it feel knowing that your
parents are not supportive of your idol
dreams I agree with them to a certain
extent I'm still disappointed what made
you want to pursue this Idol dream in
spite of their disapproval I would
rather do like something I really want
to do and enjoy doing rather than being
stuck on new job because it has higher
pay or like it's safer or something like
that if I wait until the future I'll be
like a bit too old for the kop industry
so how prepared do you feel for the
Showcase tomorrow I feel pretty prepared
we train for so many hours trying to
perfect everything I hope that I can
have more confidence tomorrow okay good
luck I'm very excited for you
[Music]
too it's day 10 the final day of the
boot
[Music]
camp
we have some incredible performances
coming
[Music]
up more than 10 casting agents have
turned up for today's showcase including
Darren ju who's casted top Idols like
mini from new
jeans
[Applause]
so proud of
you do you think of your performance for
the Showcase I think I did okay I didn't
make any mistakes but I had fun myself
what are your thoughts about the private
audition do you think you'll be
selected I hope
so
[Applause]
[Music]
everyone this is very important
announcement right now they're selecting
participants who are making it through
to the private auditions with casting
Managers from Idol
agencies different agencies are holding
private auditions at various Studios
we're not allow allow access because
they want to keep their choices and the
kind of concept they're looking for
[Music]
confidential Darren is the only one
who's agreed to let us come in and
observe his private
auditions and Kate made
it turn
left how's your
he9 59 do you know your parents
[Music]
[Music]
this year about 10% of the participants
made it through to the private
auditions that's more than the usual 5%
or so
thank you thanks for coming
today so you actually got to meet Kate
for a private audition what did you
think how did she
do
How likely will your CEO sign her as an
idol
traine
how many private auditions did you go
for I went for four auditions did you
expect it at all no if you do get a call
back for the next round of auditions
what would you do it has to depend on my
parents but I definitely want to go for
I try my best to convince them maybe I
can continue my studies in Career
Training
yeah
[Applause]
this is where the year end music bank
one of the largest K-pop music festivals
in Korea took place around me are
hundreds of fans and they've been
waiting in the rain and 5° coal hoping
to catch a glimpse of their Idols like
txt IV and espa it's a stretch to say a
single boot camp can turn an idle
hopeful into a full flch star like them
that requires several years of rigorous
training deeper Connections in the
industry and a great deal of luck
whether our Idol hope fools will succeed
is anyone's guess we haven't seen a
successful Singapore and K-pop Star but
one thing's for sure their love for
K-pop doesn't fail in comparison with
the South
Korean
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