[Kpop Audition Bible - How to become a kpop idol] Things you have to watch out for when you sign with k-pop agencies

One day, a person gives you his business card, saying he is from a k-pop agency and he wants to cast you. Will you accept the proposal?

Well, unfortunately, there are many crooks in the k-pop industry. If you have never heard about the k-pop agency, it would be wise to doubt his intention. First, if he says you have to pay for the training, he is a crook. No k-pop agency asks trainees for money. Second, if he presents very specific plans for your debut, he is a crook. Even big k-pop agencies can’t be sure about when their trainees will debut because there are too many variables. Third, if he shows off his friendship with famous k-pop singers, he is a crook. He must be just pretending.

However, it doesn’t mean it’s ok for you to believe all the people who insist they’re from big k-pop agencies. First, verify the exact name of the k-pop agency. Some crooks mislead would be singers’ eyesight by using wrong company names such as “SN Entertainment” of “YZ Entertainment”. Second, verify the exact email address. Big k-pop agencies use their own email addresses such as kpopaudition@smtown.com or kpopaudition@ygfamily.com. Third, if he wants to meet you outside his company, he is a crook. People of big k-pop agencies meet trainees in their office.

Even if you meet the right person and you become a trainee of a famous k-pop agency, there still is something you have to watch out for. Yeah, it’s about your contract. Many of trainees blindly sign with their agencies. However, you should be very meticulous when you sign with your agency because the contract is very complex. For example, according to the standard form of contract, the contract year should be less than 7 years. However, there is an annexed paper too, and your actual contract period could be more than 10 years. And remember that k-pop trainees and agencies should conduct talks about their profit sharing. You may share your profits by the ratio of 5 to 5, 4 to 6, 3 to 7, or 2 to 8. It differs from person to person and agency to agency. Again, be very meticulous when you sign with your agency.