BTOB‘s Lee Changsub, Apink‘s Park Chorong, and HIGHTLIGHT‘s Son Dongwoon candidly revealed the harsh trainee culture they experienced during their former agency days.
Recently, a video titled Showing Current K-Pop How It’s Done was released on Changsub’s YouTube channel. At the beginning, the production team surprised Changsub by saying, “Didn’t you used to work at Cube? We’ve gathered former Cube employees,” after which guests Chorong and Dongwoon appeared, and the three exchanged warm greetings.
That day, the three discussed the strict rules and atmosphere during their time at Cube Entertainment. Recalling her trainee days, Chorong started, “There were evaluations every weekend and at the end of each month.” Changsub added, “Weekly evaluations were just about what you practiced that week, but the monthly evaluations decided whether you stayed or got cut,” heightening the tension. Chorong recalled, “It was truly terrifying.”
Changsub also revealed, “Every month was nerve-wracking. They cut people without hesitation,” adding, “If you couldn’t lose weight, you got cut,” which surprised viewers. When Chorong said, “Every Monday we had to weigh ourselves,” Changsub said, “We did the same. I weighed 80kg when I joined but lost down to 60kg,” expressing empathy.
He continued, “For women, they wanted weights in the low 40kg range, and for men, mid-60kg. Taller trainees were expected to be in the low 70kg range,” sharing the strict standards of that time.
Chorong also shared a particularly harrowing memory. “When I couldn’t lose weight, the dance teacher said, ‘Chorong, you’re in danger now. There’s talk coming from above,’” she said, adding, “I remember running on the treadmill crying after hearing that,” evoking sympathy.