SEVENTEEN’s lead vocalist Jeonghan has candidly reflected on the grueling reality of his journey as a K-pop trainee under Pledis Entertainment.
Cast unexpectedly on the street while preparing for university entrance exams, Jeonghan entered the idol training system with virtually no background in singing or dancing.
In a candid reflection on those early years, he shared how the steep learning curve, relentless practice routines, and high-pressure evaluation environment forced him to adopt extreme methods to keep up with his peers and earn a spot in the final debut lineup.
Entering the agency as one of the last members to join what would eventually become SEVENTEEN, Jeonghan was immediately confronted with a massive skill gap.
While fellow trainees had honed their talents for years, he had to build his vocal control, stamina, and dance mechanics from the ground up.
Looking back at the sheer physical and mental fatigue that defined that era, Jeonghan recalled the overwhelming pressure that frequently brought him to his limits:
“Back when I was a trainee, there were so many moments when I felt so exhausted and overwhelmed that I just wanted to pack my bags and quit.”
Despite these overwhelming doubts, Jeonghan persevered through rigorous daily schedules, turning intense stress into a driving force to refine his craft.
Overcoming Physical Limits: Midnight Sessions and Vocal Conditioning
To catch up with the advanced skill levels of his fellow trainees, Jeonghan resorted to grueling practice habits that pushed his physical endurance to the limit.
Recognized early on as having lower physical stamina compared to other members, he underwent harsh endurance conditioning designed to prepare him for SEVENTEEN’s famously complex and high-energy synchronized choreography.
Among these extreme measures were continuous late-night and overnight practice sessions held inside Pledis Entertainment’s basement studios.
Jeonghan spent countless hours repeating basic choreography steps until muscle memory took over, often practicing well past midnight after official training hours had concluded.
Also, to expand his lung capacity and build the vocal stability necessary to perform intense live stages, he was subjected to rigorous vocal conditioning exercises that required him to run on a treadmill or perform heavy cardio routines while singing at full volume.
Reflecting on the intense grit required to survive these physical evaluations, he shared:
“I had to keep pushing myself beyond my physical limits every single day because I knew how much ground I needed to cover to stand on stage alongside the others.”
Through sheer repetition, persistent effort, and endurance building, Jeonghan steadily transformed his physical weakness into one of his greatest strengths, eventually becoming a pillar of SEVENTEEN’s vocal line.
Surviving Strict Assessments and Finding Strength in Brotherhood
Beyond the immense physical toll, the emotional landscape of trainee life presented its own severe challenges.
Pledis Entertainment operated a strict assessment system where trainees faced continuous monthly evaluations and the constant threat of elimination.
For someone who had not originally planned on pursuing a career in music, the constant scrutiny created a high-stress environment where every mistake was analyzed.
During this period of uncertainty, Jeonghan often found himself seeking moments of quiet relief in practice room corners or restrooms to cope with the emotional weight.
However, as the debut group began to take shape, the bond formed among the thirteen members became his ultimate source of motivation.
Rather than viewing the intense environment solely as a competition, Jeonghan took on a nurturing, big-brother role within the team, forming deep connections that helped ease the pressure for everyone involved.
Speaking on how the group’s unity helped him endure the final stretch of trainee life, Jeonghan noted:
“Whenever things got tough, looking at the other members working just as hard gave me the strength to hold on and keep going until the end.”
Jeonghan’s journey from a complete novice struggling through extreme trainee conditions to a lead vocalist and emotional anchor of a world-renowned idol group serves as an inspiring story of perseverance.
His willingness to speak openly about the hardships of his pre-debut days offers fans a realistic glimpse into the immense sacrifice required to achieve success in the K-pop industry.
