9 Korean Celebrities Who Rejected Offers From SM Entertainment

Number 9 was practically “begged” to join the company.

Korean entertainment companies are always scouting for people who could be potential matches with their companies, but that doesn’t mean that people are always willing to accept these offers. Here are a 9 Korean celebrities who were offered contracts from SM Entertainment, but chose to reject them. 

1. Jisoo (BLACKPINK)

When Jisoo was a trainee at YG Entertainment, she decided to go to a YG Entertainment concert with some fellow trainees. While at the concert, some officials from SM Entertainment came and asked her if she was interested in joining their company. Jisoo politely rejected, as she was already a trainee at YG Entertainment.

2. Hyungsik (ZE:A)

When Hyungsik was in high school, he was offered a contract from both SM and YG Entertainment. Hyungsik rejected them both, as he had no interest in becoming a singer at that time.

3. G-Dragon (BIGBANG)

G-Dragon was originally a trainee at SM Entertainment. Once he got more interested in rapping, he decided to leave SM Entertainment for YG Entertainment.

4. Oh Hyuk (Hyukoh)

Oh Hyuk passed the auditions for SM, YG, and JYP Entertainment when he was in middle school. He decided to not sign with any of them, as he felt that his music style didn’t fit with any of them.

5. Bang Jae Min

Bang Jae Min is a talented rapper who made headlines with his appearance on High School Rapper 2. He revealed that he had been offered contracts from both YG and SM Entertainment, but chose to reject them because he has no desire of becoming an idol.

6. Yoon Sun Young

Source: Pinterest

Model Yoon Sun Young was offered a contract from all the Big 3 companies but chose to reject all of them, as she didn’t want to become an idol.

7. Park Bo Gum

Park Bo Gum originally wanted to become a singer, so he sent his audition video to many companies, one of them being SM Entertainment. He received offers from many companies but chose to reject all of them as they wouldn’t let him pursue acting alongside singing.

8. Jin (BTS)

During middle school, an SM Entertainment official tried to scout Jin. Jin thought it was a scam, so he ended up rejecting the offer.

9. Sehun (EXO)

While Sehun might have debuted in SM Entertainment, it took quite a bit convincing for him to sign with the company. When Sehun was in elementary school having a snack with his friends, an SM Entertainment casting manager approached him. Sehun was taught by his parents to avoid strangers, so Sehun ran away from the casting manager. The casting manager spent 30 minutes chasing Sehun before he got a chance to speak with him.