The “Weird” Way 2PM Taecyeon’s Classmates Reacted When He Went From A Normal Student To A K-Pop Idol Overnight

2PM‘s Taecyeon is one of the original “beast-dols” in K-Pop. Before he was burning the stage with his charisma, however, he was a normal student.

2PM’s Taecyeon | JYP Entertainment

He studied Business Administration at Dankook University prior to debuting as a singer. When 2PM released their first album, Hottest Time of the Day, in 2008, he was still taking classes just like other 20-year olds.

Unlike them, he became a celebrity overnight. In an interview with DIVE Studios, Taecyeon recalled the time he even took an exam while wearing his stage outfit.

I had to go to a [music show after]. I had to make some money.

— Taecyeon

The Heartbeat actor added that his classmates initially found the change strange. He went from a normal student without any friends to a celebrity overnight.

My freshman year, I got in, and I wasn’t in 2PM. When I went to Dankook University, I wasn’t in 2PM. I wasn’t a singer. Everyday I just went and passed the semester. And the next semester I was in 2PM.

— Taecyeon

Taecyeon in Dankook University | Dankook University

He agreed that there was “definitely” a change to how people viewed him and treated him. The classmates he didn’t interact with suddenly approached him and introduced themselves after finding out he became a K-Pop idol.

It was really weird because I was literally an outsider. No one cared. No one really knew me. I didn’t go to [university events] so no one knew me. I didn’t know anybody. All of a sudden, everyone knows me.

— Taecyeon

Taecyeon as a student | Korea University

Now, Taecyeon is making his mark as a singer and actor, having graduated from Dankook University a decade ago. He went on to complete his graduate degree in the prestigious Korea University Graduate School Of International Studies.

Check out the full podcast below to learn more about him!