guava 6,874 Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 I first thought about this years ago but it was brought back by this thread http://onehallyu.com/topic/145430-nb-sojins-death-brings-back-discussion-on-the-plight-of-trainees/ and especially this quote. "There are barely any trainees who actually receive an income from their company and many are not provided lesson expenses, academy training, or living and eating arrangements. It's worse for trainees living away from home since they have to work part time jobs to afford the lifestyle." Some kpop fans always go on about how much companies invest in training idols, but do they really cover that much of the expenses that idols are indebted to them for years and years? The first time I questioned this was when I heard that Yunho had to stay with Junsu's family for some time when he was a trainee. I was surprised because I assumed that since Yunho was a trainee and already signed under SM that he would be allowed to live in a dorm but some how that wasn't the case. Later Yunho mentioned that he had to work part-time jobs and pay for his own dance classes, so he was covering the cost for his lessons as well. Similarly Jaejoong has talked about the same experiences. He had to sell candy to pay rent. Worked as a waiter to pay for his own singing lessons because he had entered SM as a model/actor after winning best face in their annual contest. It seems that trainees only get lessons and dorms when they are on the verge of debuting. So do you think that companies don't actually spend as much on their trainees as we all think? Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DivaBoo 1,480 Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Very easily into the one hundreds of dollars... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeokdae 3,324 Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 I think they pay for enough for it to still be pretty expensive, but apparently not all because I remember stories idols have told on tv about paying for "fees". I guess it depends on the company as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeTaeyong 4,086 Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 I think the "debuting group" get all expenses paid. Like the smrookies that have been revealed so far probably don't have to worry about where they're going to sleep or what they're going to eat or how much any of that is going to cost because soon, if all goes as planned, they will debut and make up that sum in album sale, concert, fanmeet,etc revenue. The trainees that are currently packed together in sm's dungeons that we the public don't even know exist, probably take care of their own expenses. That way when sm inevitably shows them the door they won't have to worry about paying back massive amounts of debt and sm won't every worry about wasting even a hint of money on them. Tldr; I think companies spend money on certain groups within the trainee hierarchy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thay 7,690 Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Maybe in the old days companies invested less, but nowadays most idols receive vocal and dancing lessons. Also remember plastic surgery (but then I guess the company must be sure they'll debut). Staying in dorms is only after they sign contracts tho, i think, not throughout their whole trainee days (unless, of course, the trainee is a foreigner). I think Tao and Kris lived in official SM dorms? I'm not sure. It's also said most trainees receive clothing and such because companies want them to look good on their daily live (?). But i guess this may be only for those that are certain to debut too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
�5150 1,513 Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 I'd assume it would differ from companies, smaller agencies will probably not cover rent and living expenses. Maybe certain trainees choose to pay these expenses themselves as to lessen their so called debt. Even after debut, you'll not get paid until you really hit daebak. Example; Glam's Dahee was approximately $300k usd in debt and AoA mentioned that they were yet to be paid even after their first win. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehmy 1,931 Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 One thing to consider is that by paying for certain 'training costs', they aren't covering other costs that are necessary but unaffordable. For example, if the trainee has to travel, perhaps the transportation cost isn't covered. This applies to children who are training in Seoul when their parents live far away as well. Perhaps they have to pay rent and such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willwookie Oppa 319 Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 It depends on each company. Some companies are willing to pay for your classes for a certain amount of time. Once the time runs out, they will expand it again depending on how much they want you there, but if you for whatever reason want to drop out of the classes, you would have to pay back everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indigo 16,433 Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 I don't think all the debut on a trainees head is for their actual artistic training. My guess is portion of the cost is the "crafting" them. They're not just there to learn to sing and dance. They need media training, language lessons, makeovers etc. I do think before you're officially "in the system" the company might not cover lessons. The company probably gets you into dancing lessons and singing lessons you otherwise would have a hard time getting into due to waiting lists though. And frankly, it seems trainees spend a fair amount of time just screwing around "on campus." Training seems like a bit like an after school club. Until you're put in a group. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gen_ki 11,021 Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Agencies cover all of the training, but the cost adds onto the idol's debt. All idols have a debt. The point where they don't owe the agency anymore and will start receiving money is the BEP (Break Even Point). However, an idol's debt also includes food expenses, dorm expenses, basically anything the company pays for. The only way to break the BEP is to make more money than they are spending. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nolja 298 Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 snsd had to clean toilet ,mop floor during their time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleepingDragon 1,099 Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 AOA just reached the Break Even Point with 10+ CFs at the beginning of 2015 according to FNC, so they'll start to earn income from now on. Can't imagine how much other struggling groups are in debt with their companies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lepidoptery 2,917 Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Depends on the company, I'm sure. Nugu startups would barely have money for anything, anyway. I'm surprised anyone would expect a trainee to get paid, they're not in a phd program. >.>;; Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moonz 5,379 Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 AOA just reached the Break Even Point with 10+ CFs at the beginning of 2015 according to FNC, so they'll start to earn income from now on. Can't imagine how much other struggling groups are in debt with their companies. really? when is Aoa debut ? -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I wonder if YG,JYP,SM has this kind "debt system", since it's usually idols from smaller agency speak out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bitch 1,286 Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 I think the cost is probably very inflated. And they're counting on one debuting artist to offset the cost of the training expenses of 10 others who didn't make it. For groups who had 2 or 3 comebacks before they hid daebak (AOA, GsD, EXID) production costs are also going to make their debt astronomical because the company never made even. If a trainee wants to become better and they feel they need lessons outside from what the company is providing then they buy their own practice time with other studios. It's no different than a piano player praying for lessons outside his orchestra. And Seoul is expensive so of course if your family can't send you money then you'll have to get a part time job. It's not rocket science. Just cause you're a trainee doesn't mean the company is going to completely subsidize you.I only know a bit about JYP trainees and I know that foreign trainees and those from outside of Seoul have priority for moving into the dorms. A team, which is a team ready to be debuted, gets priority for their own apartment. But It's not like they have an infinite amount of apartments to move people into so not everyone will. Tough luck for trainees that live in Seoul or in close proximity. I know JYP trainees don't get an allowance, they get their food, housing and transportation covered. And Cube trainees also get food vouchers, I don't know about housing. All their lessons are in groups except vocal coaching, you sign up for whatever lesson you're interested or think you need cause there's a schedule. the point is that when the review comes, you've prepared, not that you had someone guide your hand through the whole thing... Stuff adds up. Imagine Jo Kwon, who trained and used JYP resources for almost a decade. It's not cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleepingDragon 1,099 Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 really? when is Aoa debut ? -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I wonder if YG,JYP,SM has this kind "debt system", since it's usually idols from smaller agency speak out AOA debuted on July 30th, 2012. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jingle 2,788 Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 2ne1 moved into their dorm around their I Don't care promotions so YG wasn't paying for their leaving expenses when they were trainees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guava 6,874 Posted February 27, 2015 Author Share Posted February 27, 2015 Depends on the company, I'm sure. Nugu startups would barely have money for anything, anyway. I'm surprised anyone would expect a trainee to get paid, they're not in a phd program. >.>;;Not get paid but at least have their basic needs covered.Like they pay for their own housing, food and lessons and then when they debut they have a huge amount of debt and they don't even know if the company spent that much money on them. The system seems ludicrous to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
123456 5,194 Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Instiz: The expenses needed for a 5 member idol group to debut Fixed expenses per month- Dormitory (25 pyung) - $1,000- Choreography practice room (30 pyung) - $1,000- Food and snacks - $3,000- Choreography training - $2,000- Vocal training $2,000- Rap training - $1,000- Acting training - $2,000- Beauty/plastic surgery - $10,000- Casting director - $3,000 ($1,000~$2,000 per director / casting a trainee from another company also costs around $5,000~$10,000)- Employee pay (per 5) - $15,000Total = $40,000 x 6 months = $240,000Expenses per album release- Song expenses (four tracks) - $12,000- Recording mastering - $8,000- Photographer - $3,000- Jacket design & stylist - $4,000- Clothing production (four outfits) - $20,000- Music video - $50,000- Promotion (including showcase) - $100,000- Hair and make up - $5,000- Choreography (two tracks) - $6,000- Backdancers ($350 per performance) - $7,000+ Additional expenses - $215,000 cr. NB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lu-brican't 1,059 Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 I think it's next to nothing for regular trainees and more for the golden trainees or the ones they see potential in and are about to debut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lepidoptery 2,917 Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Not get paid but at least have their basic needs covered. Like they pay for their own housing, food and lessons and then when they debut they have a huge amount of debt and they don't even know if the company spent that much money on them. The system seems ludicrous to me. Nah. Even though this is theoretically a serious step towards a career, the whole system seems like something you do on top of your regular life like an extracurricular. As such, if anything you would be paying them for lessons, and you're still going about your usual schooling (even if you've decided not to put any effort into it) and living with your parents. If your parents don't give you their blessing for this there's no reason they should have to shell out for you to live closer to the company of your choice or whatever. It actually seems like the costs after debut are actually costs associated with the debut/promos and the expenses they actually make on you after they've decided you're in the lineup. The other stuff should be covered by the company's overall cut of the profit (which is of course substantial). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IcePrincessJoy 16,300 Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 really? when is Aoa debut ? -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I wonder if YG,JYP,SM has this kind "debt system", since it's usually idols from smaller agency speak out Probably Big 3 groups have less to pay because they get succesful more easy and also even when they debut they earn money. Red Velvet have 3 CFs already (and they aren't unknown brands either, Lotte, Baskin Robbins, Ivy Club) and they also had photoshoots before debut, staring in others MVs or featured in songs etc. I remember that Irene before debut had a photoshoot with Burberry. Winner had CFs before debut too and they debut did good too. So its easy for them to pay back their debt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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