How do you become a K-pop star?

In K-pop, it's a long way to get to the top. See some new bands hoping to follow in the footsteps of BTS and Blackpink.

Instructions

Do the preparation task first. Then watch the video and do the exercises. Remember you can read the transcript at any time.

Transcript

Presenter: This is Newkidd. They want to be the next big K-pop band. They've all left home to try and make it.

Kang Seung-chan: Sometimes I really miss my family.

Presenter: But there's a lot to be gained. BTS and Blackpink have smashed records and made history. Their music videos have been watched millions of times online.

Fan: Trying to get a concert ticket is nearly impossible in Korea.

Kids: K-pop!

Presenter: There are even K-pop schools, where kids can train to be just like them.

Kid: K-pop makes my heart burst with joy!

Presenter: So, what does it take to be a K-pop star? This is Gangnam, in the capital city of Seoul. Some of the biggest K-pop labels are here and it's where I'm meeting new K-pop band Newkidd as they rehearse.

Newkidd: Annyeong haseyo Newkidd imnida. We are Newkidd! 

Presenter: Newkidd have just debuted with their first album. That means they're one step closer to making it. But it's not easy to get to this stage. K-pop stars first need to be signed as a trainee by a big record label. It's only then that they're in the running to be picked as a solo artist or as part of a band. They're all pretty young. The maknae, or baby of the group, is just 15 years old.

Kang Seung-chan: Hi, guys. My name is Kang Seung-chan and I'm 15 years old. Yeah, right, I'm the youngest member of the team. Please call me maknae.

Presenter: They're so determined to make it, they've left their homes and families behind to follow their dreams. 

Kang Seung-chan: Sometimes I really miss my family. I feel like I have to make my dream come true, to make them proud. 

Newkidd member: We're always on a strict diet and it's mostly salads, chicken and fruits. We do weightlifting, skipping and press-ups to stay in shape. 

Newkidd member: Rehearsing and living with my bandmates, I feel like I've found not just friends but they're like family too. I'm really happy whenever I'm with them.

Presenter: There can be big rewards, though. Blackpink's single 'Kill This Love' was viewed over 56 million times on YouTube within 24 hours. And look at BTS: they've made history by being the first Korean act to have a number-one album in the UK chart. One study has even gone as far as saying that they are the reason one in 13 tourists visit South Korea. And they've even shared their message of self-love with the world at the United Nations.

RM: I am who I am, with all of my faults and my mistakes.

Presenter: Lots of kids want to grow up to be just like them. This is a K-pop training school. Most hopefuls start out by going to singing and dance classes.

Kid: I want to be a K-pop star because I want to be on the stage singing and dancing in front of crowds of people. K-pop makes my heart burst with joy!

Kid: Remembering the dance routines is tough at first but I practise at home too and I've got better. 

Presenter: That dance class is so tough! They're working so, so hard but there are people in other K-pop schools working just as hard, who only face a very small chance of actually making it. At this school alone, I'm told that there are about a thousand students who want to be K-pop stars, but only around 40 to 50 will actually make it.

Feel: Not everyone is going to be a K-pop star by just doing all the classes. Some will make it and some will not. It depends on how hard they work and how much effort they put in. 

Presenter: One famous face to come out of the school is iKon's Dunghyuk Kim. He's now signed with one of the biggest K-pop labels. 

Dunghyuk Kim: Some of the guys are, like, training for, like, ten years and some guys for, like, six years. Every day, every night, every morning we sing, dance, we care about our bodies. So that is really hard. 

Presenter: iKon haven't charted here in the UK yet, but they're pretty big in South Korea.

Presenter: Were there ever moments in … when you were training and even now where you've doubted yourself and thought, 'You know what, maybe I can't do this?'

Dunghyuk Kim: Totally, yeah. We think that a lot.

iKon member: The most difficult thing for me wasn't the physical training. It was the mental side of it and thinking, 'Will I ever make it?' Not knowing that is the most difficult part.

iKon member: We have to, like, like, train hard before we get to be somebody, you know what I mean? Like, but after that, every moment when we, like, perform on the stage or like, like, practise together, like those moments are like blessings, you know what I mean?

Discussion

Who are your favourite K-pop artists?

Average: 3.7 (3 votes)
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Comments

Submitted by BaliL on Sat, 04/15/2023 - 21:51

Both leaders of Ateez and Stray kids have inspired me to peruse my biggest dream. They both have worked really hard to debut, each overcoming their obstacles to reach their aim. I’ll do my best to someday reach my own targets like they have done.

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Submitted by Capixt on Thu, 08/11/2022 - 01:55

My favorite k-pop band is "Stray Kids" They are such a completely artist very talented and really heartworkers, and they loves their fandom (Stay) So much, they also have a "Stay week" For celebrate the "aniversary" of their fandom. Bang Chan is the leader of this band and I love him so much, he is my favorite k-pop artist because he always take care of the other memebres and the fandom too. He is a dancer, singer and a music producer. And the thing of why I adimre him the most is beacuse he never gave up, he trained for seven years, he almost debuted in another band he wasn´t chosen, but that dosen´t stopped him to fought for his dream and now is the leader of one of the most importants bands from the 4th generation of K-pop. For me, he is a great motivation, one day I want to reach my dreams like him 3

Submitted by vkookthebest on Sat, 03/12/2022 - 06:35

RM speech at the UN it is smth unreal

Submitted by iu on Sat, 06/24/2023 - 12:43

RM speech in un is very nice because it helps me obey my dreams

In reply to by vkookthebest

Submitted by vkookthebest on Sat, 03/12/2022 - 06:26

OMG bobby with curls it is too cute i am crying
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Submitted by Andrii on Wed, 07/21/2021 - 18:07

I'm not really interested in K-pop, but I like BTS the most of K-pop bands.

Submitted by paradise_2006 on Fri, 09/04/2020 - 18:19

BTS ARMY 4 ever 3
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Submitted by IGYOON on Wed, 07/15/2020 - 17:45

Bangtan sonyeondan! I am an ARMY. .. I love them a lot.

Submitted by Mint on Sat, 06/06/2020 - 11:00

BTS!Yes,I am army.They are also my reason to learn English and Korean.
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Submitted by IGYOON on Wed, 07/15/2020 - 17:44

Hey there I am also an ARMY!! My bias is Suga . How about you? And I am also learning Korean.

In reply to by Mint

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Submitted by Giovannichoi on Tue, 07/21/2020 - 05:48

Are you learning Korean? I am Korean! And-hey, are you an ARMY? There are lots of girls who is ARMY in my school. But I'm not, for I am a boy, and I'm not interested in them. But, yeah, I agree that BTS is great singing band. Please reply on me!

In reply to by IGYOON

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Submitted by IGYOON on Wed, 07/22/2020 - 18:38

Dear Giovannichoi, It doesn't matter if you are a boy or girl for being an ARMY. They are really great. They are very awesome. Please reply

In reply to by Giovannichoi

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Submitted by Giovannichoi on Sat, 08/01/2020 - 04:43

HAHA! You're right! They are great, yeah. But actually, I haven't listened any of their musics, 'cause I am more interested in MAROON 5 or any other pop-song bands and singers. But; hey, I know they are awsome! I can't imagine they could make a speech at UN! Please reply!

In reply to by IGYOON

Submitted by hermione123 on Fri, 01/29/2021 - 07:33

I love listening to Maroon 5's songs, so do my dad and my sister. They wrote a really good songs.

In reply to by Giovannichoi

Submitted by paradise_2006 on Fri, 09/04/2020 - 18:25

I started learning korean this year & I can read and write so far. Yeah, they are utterly talented!

In reply to by Giovannichoi

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Submitted by Giovannichoi on Tue, 09/15/2020 - 06:12

Hi, paradise! Wow! you surprised me! I dind't know that Korean is used in other countries, too. Then can you read this? '나는 방탄소년단이 유엔에서 연설을 할 만큼 대단하다고 생각하지 않았다. 하지만 지금까지 내가 생각해오던 케이 팝이 여자 아이들이 좋아하는 그냥 잘생긴 가수들이 아니라는 걸 알게 되었다.' I think there might not be Korean keyboard on your computer keyboard. Hwy, I hope you can write the meanings of this sentence and please let me know your nationality.. I'm Korean, 최 예준.

In reply to by paradise_2006

Submitted by hermione123 on Fri, 01/29/2021 - 07:30

Giovannichoi, Many girls in my school are ARMY. But, I'm not. I'm not interested on listening to BTS. Anyway, I don't know that bulletproof boys is the meaning of BTS. Thanks for the information All the best, Hermione123 ;)

In reply to by Giovannichoi

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Submitted by Giovannichoi on Wed, 08/26/2020 - 04:27

Hey, do you know what Bangtansonyeondan means in Korean? Bangtan is bulletproof, and sonyeondan is boys. So that means 'Bulletproof boys' actually.. Hope it helps you!

In reply to by IGYOON

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Submitted by catastrophe on Wed, 10/16/2019 - 16:54

I'm back here after a century, am I not?
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Submitted by Giovannichoi on Fri, 05/15/2020 - 10:01

No, you're not, catastrophe. I saw your other old comments with Hadia and Elsa 007. I want to be your friend. Please accept my offering!!!!!

In reply to by catastrophe

Submitted by hermione123 on Fri, 01/29/2021 - 07:46

Giovannichoi, I'm so excited that catastrophe is back. Even though I realize it 2 years after catastrophe posted that comment. All the best, Hermione123

In reply to by Giovannichoi

Submitted by hermione123 on Fri, 01/29/2021 - 07:38

My goodness, catastrophe is back. So shocking! I have seen many comments from you. You were one of Hadia's online friends here. You Were really active here. Anyway are you still active now? I'm new here and would like to be friends with other users.

In reply to by catastrophe

Submitted by Sinhvien on Tue, 09/24/2019 - 12:14

They're BangTan Sonyeondan. I love them so much. I wish they could say something.
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