5 K-pop idols dubbed ‘secret weapons’, from BTS’ V and Blackpink’s Jennie, to Aespa’s Winter, Red Velvet’s Seulgi and Itzy’s Yeji – but who was popular even before their debut?
- Some trainees are so talented that they get popular even before their debuts – like Yeji on reality TV show The Fan – while others are hidden by their agencies so they aren’t poached
- Before Blackpink, Jennie was ‘YG’s mystery girl’ and featured on songs by G-Dragon and Lee Hi, while Seulgi’s star quickly rose after she spent seven years as a SM Entertainment trainee
Sometimes K-pop idols make waves even before they debut. While it can be difficult to get even a small glimpse at the trainees working hard behind the scenes at a K-pop agency, the companies themselves know all too well which of the stars-to-be will blow up once they’re introduced to the public.
Fans have dubbed these trainees their agency’s “secret weapons” – individuals who are so exceptional, their debuts are considered akin to the agency releasing a deadly weapon into the entertainment world.
Here are five idols who earned the title …
1. BTS’s V
Though he had trained with all the other members before their debut, Big Hit Entertainment appeared to hide him until the last second, leading fans to speculate that this was to prevent other companies poaching him for his vocal talent and good looks.
Later, he spoke about how he felt upset and lonely having to watch the rest of his members vlog without him. He also revealed that often, even though he wasn’t in frame, he was actually in the same room. Big Hit never openly explained why they did this, but regardless, now we’re just glad he’s part of the group.
2. Blackpink’s Jennie
