The Brutal Daily Schedule Of A K-Pop Idol Trainee, According To LE SSERAFIM’s Sakura

K-Pop idol trainees have to work incredibly hard for the chance to achieve their dream of debut. As evidenced by LE SSERAFIM‘s documentary showcasing the members’ journey to debut, there’s never a moment of certainty or a chance to be content with their skills. Idol trainees constantly strive to improve and secure a spot in a group’s debut lineup, which takes a long time before it’s officially finalized.

Once trainees debut as idols, their schedules become packed with constant promotions, which, as (G)I-DLE‘s Yuqi has described, becomes really intense, especially after a comeback.

According to Yuqi, during a comeback, idols “start moving without any sleep,” beginning their day at 1 A.M. There are a variety of different obligations that take up the day, with little to no time to rest, before they typically have fan signing events that sometimes last until 9 or 10 P.M.

Your browser does not support video.Yuqi | ELLE/YouTube 

Although idols don’t get much rest, trainee life can be just as difficult, especially as they approach their debut. According to LE SSERAFIM’s Sakura, they are constantly pushed to their limits because of their training and work on the title track.

Your browser does not support video.Yunjin | HYBE LABELS/YouTube 

Sakura shares that their days usually start around 9:30 A.M and that they start their practice by having one-on-one lessons where they can improve their skills.

Your browser does not support video.| HYBE LABELS/YouTube 

“In the afternoon, [they] come together” to work on dancing, which can take a minimum of seven hours.

Your browser does not support video.| HYBE LABELS/YouTube 

And then their day usually ends “at dawn,” proving just how diligently trainees work to try and achieve their dreams.

Your browser does not support video.Sakura | HYBE LABELS/YouTube 

This demanding schedule isn’t lost on the management either, who know that trainees are happy “when they pass the audition” but then have to confront their new reality of endless, exhausting practice.

Your browser does not support video.| HYBE LABELS/YouTube 

Of course, not only is the work exhausting but becoming an idol requires an incredibly strong mentality which you can read more about here.

LE SSERAFIM’s Sakura Breaks Down How She Felt When Being Called A “Bad Singer”