What Really Happened Between Trainee A and HYBE | Drama Behind The Scenes or REBRANDING?!

Trainee A was one of the most hyped-up pre-debut kpop groups, and their debut was highly anticipated, but it all came crashing down in december of 2022. stick around to learn why HYBE disbanded Trainee A right before their debut! subscribe to kookielit for more kpop news and videos.
Instagram: bit.ly/3NWCjW1
Twitter: bit.ly/3NyjmJS
Facebook: bit.ly/3OhuslH
Video edited by Eby (IG @baraabearr)
#kpop #kpopnews #KOOKIELIT

[@KatieCooper258]

I personally think most of the members will debut sometime next year under a different label or entertainment. Whether or not they want to debut or not, I wish all of them the best endeavors & wishes. ❤️

[@sui088log5]

I also think they’re going to debut next yr and start a New content , we know Hybe won’t waste talent .

[@alexandra-hf2zk]

i think woochan and sangwon will, not sure for the rest.

[@retricallltann6243]

Well they didn’t confirm if they left the label or not so they could still be debuting in diff grps next year

[@keiko8888]

there were many sightings of JJ at HYBE this month and he was just recently seen with Woochan (plus other members apparently). all I hope is that they still get to debut together.

[@TrinhNguyen-sh4fj]

I was about to say that. I think they will debut in other groups or other companies. This industry is so cut throat.

[@abelztry7201]

I always thought it was really bad idea to make social media for a predebut group, debut plans always get cancelled or the lineup changes or simply they don’t want to release the group

[@tadmira127dreamuvtadmir2]

yes, it is like assuring people that you are going to do such a thing, or that you are going to travel and then it turns out that it was not possible, that is why it is said that it is better to act in silence and surprise

[@TrinhNguyen-sh4fj]

I agree and social media can be such a big curse if not utilized properly. I hope even regular people are careful with social media as it can make or break you if you are not careful.

[@ibelieveinyourgalaxy]

Hideously bad idea, especially when Trainees haven’t been vetted properly.

[@TrinhNguyen-sh4fj]

@@tadmira127dreamuvtadmir2 Exactly and that is why you never make empty promises in advance about anything since you can jinx it. Just do it silently and have it happen. Don’t say things in advance and then break your promise. That is the biggest curse of all.

[@a.h7776]

@@TrinhNguyen-sh4fjnot to sound rude but did you guys watch the a-road videos they literally said that the debut wasn’t for sure gonna happen if you had you false hopes that’s on you no one else

[@mygwarai]

Like him or not, Leo leaving was the biggest blow to their debut and them as a group. Leo was the main member, the channel was filled with mainly him, it was obvious the company wanted him to be at the center of attention, which he was. He was probably going to be the leader and was decent at rapping, singing, dancing and producer, was also good looking. He was the most popular member before the controversy. But honestly, if it wasn't for Yorch's message, I'd think that maybe they deleted the Trainee A channel because debut was near? Perhaps they wanted a fresh start for them and the entire Trainee A channel was just a sneak peak for the actual debut. Bighit would be stupid to let go of this line up, in my opinion. They might have a tough time in Korea because they have a lot of foreign members but internationally they would kill it. The set of skills the members bring to the group especially in terms of rap and dance is unmatched in the K-pop industry.

[@boysloveplanet]

THIS ONE!🤚🏻💋

[@hnyuq4049]

i still think some or all of them are gonna debut at some point but maybe in separate groups instead of together

[@harista277]

Well we at the same boat

[@itsjustaname3386]

Thia was honestly their dumbest decision. They still had Woochan and JJ, who would've picked up Leo's position very easily. And then there was Jihoon who literally had no bonesand James would've been their designated "bad boy" and then the properness of Sangwon and Yorch. They were so balanced and already had a fanbase, how do you just throw that away???🤦‍♀🤦‍♀️

[@chenchuuu8949]

What controversy?

[@brontee]

The important thing to consider here was that Trainee A were not once, ever, officially recognised by BigHit or HYBE. There was never an official statement from the company, nor declaration that they were working towards or going to debut. The ONLY thing promised by the channel was to document the process of them becoming a team. They weren't even official on their 1M Subscriber plaque from KZbin - their name was instead a set of numbers from the channel URL.

[@jinl.1501]

You’re right. They might’ve been practicing within hybe grounds but under another company?

[@jalenetom5547]

Makes sense

[@brontee]

@@jinl.1501 I think they were under BigHit.. but they didn’t declare it so as to try something different like the whole project of Trainee A. But yeah.. who knows..

[@sarikaislam1786]

Isn't ENHYPEN was the third male group under hybe so how does trainee A become third male group under hybe

[@brontee]

@@sarikaislam1786 Hybe has many different boy groups across subordinate labels such as Seventeen, &team etc.. Trainee A is the third boy group under BigHit (following BTS and TXT) - which is a subordinate label of HYBE.

[@aespa_s]

I was really looking forward to their debut ☹️ I hope they can have a chance to debut again. THEY WOULD BE ONE OF THE BIGGEST 4TH GEN KPOP GROUP

[@kimson305]

You hope

[@iamkoreaneminem-taehyun]

I hope so too...

[@aespa_s]

@@kimson305 Yes, I hope.

[@beomie1039]

@Lizeth Frias you’d have debut first to disband lmao they didn’t even debut

[@pavanipabodha399]

Me too,i'm 😭now! Because I just found out ,I was busy with studying that's so sad!

[@daria5846]

I just wanna see JJ again. He was such an amazing dancer.

[@Aot1768]

Sameee, is there any news about him after what happened?

[@Liz_theslayer]

Same, hopefully we see him soon

[@irenesara455]

A child

[@daria5846]

@@irenesara455 Yes, Captain obvious😅

[@diobrandoooo]

@@Aot1768 some of the pledis trainees were revealed by the seventeen members at a concert in the audience and though no one could see their faces well some speculated that JJ was among them as they saw someone with similar hair and dance moves as JJ.

[@Mi08]

I wish all of the boys a successful future❤️

[@Oh_mariam]

Hi Mii my name is also Mii

[@lemonjuice6715]

except for leo

[@ajaiy]

@@lemonjuice6715including Leo.

[@Fornonme]

Simple trainee a was created because of Leo just like Rm, and when Leo left, big hit saw that the group wasn’t ready, this is what happen when you build a group around one person... I really hope those boys get to debut whether it’s with big hit or with other company

[@A.Adam22]

This lies army tell themselves that BTS build around RM is lies, yeah he was first member and they tried to debut 3 rappers but they saw it wasn’t popular that is when they recruited the vocalist, so RM is simply first member, BTS is 7 of them and RM isn’t one of the popular members. It is disrespectful when others who worked hard and made BTS successful t but you people still claim BTS is RM, no BTS is 7 members and he is just one of the 7.

[@Lina-dx1mq]

fake!! stop saying nonsense

[@roseycgy7435]

@@Sugaaafactory that clip where BangPD asking RM if he'll continue as group or solo happened when BTS already debuted. So NO, your reasoning is incorrect. And they just staged a prank on him. Please check your facts. Be careful of what you are saying as this is misleading. Yes, RM is the first member but he's not the only reason why there's BTS.

[@taibida7263]

Imagine harrassing someone until he quits for a freakn word like b!tch. Y'all k-pop industry is way too much, the fans tho, like how soft, wannabe woke and snowflakes are the k-pop fans. 😭🤣🤣🤣

[@Sugaaafactory]

@@roseycgy7435 ok, thank you for informing me i didn’t know that it was a prank. edit: also i didn’t mean that RM was the only reason for BTS.

[@sorntrash]

That's actually really sad. I was looking forward to seeing JJ debut. Seen a lot of his dance battles, he's a talented little guy.

[@diobrandoooo]

hopefully he might debut in pledis' bg bc i'm sure he's still a trainee

[@abbiewu4319]

Does JJ have any social software??.

[@sarasvensson6026]

The atmosphere in the group must have taken a big hit after Leo left. Being a trainee with a closely approaching debut must be so stressful, I bet what happened was that multiple members wanted out due to it eventually being too stressful and not as much fun anymore.

[@Aot1768]

Why did leo leave?

[@sarasvensson6026]

@@Aot1768 They talk about it in the video.

[@previll]

Yeah no shit, all that toxicity would take an insane mental toll on most normal people. Make one mistake like Leo did and you'll never hear the end of it. Fandoms are toxic and compassionless.

[@JoneOfBark]

Trainee A should never have happened the way it did. The boys got too much exposure too quickly, not to mention the pressure they were under and they didn't even debut yet. Had the Leo thing happened behind closed doors, no one would have known any better and he could have learned from the situation. Trainees make all kinds of mistakes but these are not put all over the internet for netizens to criticize them. Also, what is wrong with HYBE staff? Do they need some kind of sensitivity training? Why would they put that video of Leo out, in the first place?! 🙄 I hope HYBE have learned from this.

[@lisaadams7339]

yes so true

[@adieyanimayail5160]

I agree about this one

[@yulana990]

@@hongjoongisatinyman It was, and IS misogynistic. There is not a single way to deny that or even argue about it, and you being a simp for him doesn't change that. What you CAN argue though, is that a big chunk of those misogynsitic lyrics were from the original song he sampled, and not written by him. Still is not the same as it being ''out of context'' and not misogynistic. It is, dont be ridiculous. Personally I think the backlash he got was way too severe as a big chunk wasnt written by him, however his response to it was horrible. He just said ''I was angry, sorry'', which sounds more like an excuse if anything and is a common thing men do, trying to justify misogyny with anger. Because of that a lot of people didn't forgive his ''apology'', justifiably so as he showed no remorse. But he didn't deserve the amount of death threats he got, and even though he should've known better, it went way too far. Again, none of this somehow makes the FACT that the lyrics were misogynistic any less misogynistic, it just means he didnt write a good part of it, was young, and even though his reasoning is beyond pathetic it does add up. He just really messed up with his lousy ''apology'', and even telling fans to ignore the lyrics and just listen to the vibe, which is just ludicrous. I dont even get why HYBE posted this like OP said, there was NO way this was gonna go well, especially when Leo himself didnt see what was even wrong with it and clearly wasnt prepared for the very logical backlash it got. Very sad how severe it got though, it went from criticism to just pure death threats and bullying, which he did not deserve. Hope he feels a bit better now and it didnt scar him too much. Atleast he was still a trainee so it does allow him to lead a normal life more easily if he so wishes.

[@hikarunotsuki]

With how Bighit very careful and strict when it comes to BTS and TXT, tbh I'm actually surprised the staff let Leo singing a song with controversial lyrics. People might found the lyrics okay, but others are clearly not. That's why their staff should manage to tell them which one is do or don't, which one create the negative uproar or viral for a good thing. Especially because Leo is a trainee, a foreigner who might isn't familiar with kpop fandom culture, they should train him better for this. Or don't let something controversial like this airing. Nowadays idols can't even joking around normally like human being without people getting offended or twisted the narrative into fanwar and obsess to painted certain idols as 'problematic'. That's why content editor also do important thing. But....are they really from Bighit? Or just coincidentally using bighit old building?

[@daishapickens2245]

Hybe could've kept those boys hidden until debut but they were exposed too much

[@JangWonChick]

just imagine sangwon's 6 years of training just for nothing :

[@JungwonieXD]

I really wanted another power sibling like huening Kai and bahhyih😢

[@JungwonieXD]

( sangwon is jungwon from enhypens elder brother)

[@oishi_hosh2511]

@@JungwonieXD they just look alike they rent actually siblings

[@paimonspie8913]

@@JungwonieXD no jungwon said he only has an older sister?

[@JungwonieXD]

@@oishi_hosh2511 o I just saw that now thnx for telling me💜

[@zuqqqqq]

a lot of us were eagerly waiting for them to debut because of how hard they worked, but i just hope they get a chance to debut in a different company one day.

[@alexandra-hf2zk]

to be fair, leo was like a backbone for them. he was supposed to be the leader and he stayed with the members long enough before his departure. we all saw how that impacted them, they were all crying with him whenever he cried and they didn't post anything for some time after he left. it's very unfortunate this happened, especially since leo was very genuine in his multiple apologies. i hope they are happy at least, they don't deserve what they had to go through.

[@user-abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvxyz]

Sure he was genuine 🙄. No one that writes that kind of lyrics is genuine about anything. He should've been kicked right away. Other idols get kicked for stupid and false accusations while someone like him stays...

[@justthetruth3950]

He just did one lmao, and it wasn't genuine at all lol, the only justification he did for his lyrics mentioning violence against women, killing his ex and slavery comparisions, was basically "I was angry, sorry". Wich doesn't excuse anything, and he only apologized because of the backlash.

[@alexandra-hf2zk]

@@user-abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvxyz whether u think his apology was or wasn't genuine is up to u. he has done it a lot of times and i've seen him grow up to realize what he's done. i too was very disappointed in him and i stopped supporting him for some time, but came back to it when i came to my own conclusions, listening to what he has been saying.

[@alexandra-hf2zk]

@@justthetruth3950 no, actually the ta management team did one apology. leo has done a written apology, apologized on a live and then during busking in the us. and u're right, it doesn't make it okay if he just apologizes, unless he really reflects on that and u can see how genuinely sorry he is, and that's what i saw. i'm sorry u didn't find him genuine, but i believe in second chances and i believe he's proven to grow up and own up to his mistake.

[@brennathecatlover4360]

@@justthetruth3950 girl what those lyrics weren’t about that at all actually do research lmaooo. Y’all jam to rapppers rapping about worse shit yet drag Leo for talking about a girl using him for money and getting pissed and him just using the word slave doesn’t mean it’s about slavery u guys just find a reason to hate him

[@stacie1595]

This is really sad. It sucks to see young boys who worked really hard have their dreams sunk like that. I have a lot of thoughts about it though. 1) I think its funny how Leo was shredded online then people act shocked that he left because he felt pressured. The Kpop scene doesn't allow for any flaws, especially when it comes to behavior, and will push people to the absolute brink of mental destruction just for funsies. 2) If Leo was the backbone and he left, the company would need to rebrand everything anyway. And, on that note, Aloners Association is the worst name possible! It sounds like one of the fake names people call stray kids when the feel like dragging them. I hope, with the rebrand, they come up with a better name that Aloners Association! and 3) I don't think BH anticipated the success of their Japanese group. They are technically under BigHit and were received really really well in Japan and in general. Also, one of the contestants on their show who didn't make it but was hugely popular and very talented, Gaku, is hopefully still with BigHit and might be a possible new member of any new trainee group they do form.

[@insanevinesandvlogs4498]

I was soo sad the day it was announced,,,i was sooo excited for their debut and even would pre order they're albums They were the first group i stanned before debut I am still rooting for them✊🏻💙

[@keiko8888]

they’re the first kpop group (soon official kpop group hopefully🤞) i support. i am definitely still rooting for them too!

[@iamkoreaneminem-taehyun]

Same, I was so upset because they were such an amazing group.

[@fightfannerd2078]

You fans that pre-order trash! are the biggest problem in kpop

[@iamkoreaneminem-taehyun]

@@fightfannerd2078 wtf?

[@jeonjunggukseomma_2.097]

SAME!~😭🥺💀☠

[@chee8755]

I really hope they manage to debut together.. I've been waiting so long and I believe they too')

[@luhluna8]

When trainee a was first revel they showed 3 members leo, sangwon, junil. Junji was a free style dancer and a singer but after 3 weeks of being in the group and his vlogs he left and terminated his contract and jj was reveled next. It was supposed to be 8 members total. I don’t think the debut was canceled bc of Leo. I mean if u did watch their showdown u saw how the staff treated them. When they gave their best dance and was the most in sync they been working with the 3 new members they just got a week ago the staff/ dance supervisor would call them “pathetic” and say stuff like “this is trash you guys are so awful you won’t debut” let’s not forget they made their own song on 1 computer in the dance studio with barely any equipment and no skills in producing to get called names and say the song wasn’t good. Hybe really didn’t give Trainee a the attention they deserve. Then after Leo left they did get less active. In my opinion if this was going to happen and hybe knew they weren’t going to debut they should have never gave these kids false hope. They should have never exposed these kids this early if they were just gonna throw them away.

[@ArielthelittleFISH]

they are so ridiculous being the teacher doesn't mean you can say anything you want

[@ArielthelittleFISH]

@Reconnaissance being kind is something and disrespecting is something else.. of course they can be harsh on you and that's good but using disrespectful words specially against people's character and worth is not justified... this idols career could be ruined if they talk in an angry tone to one staff you know?

[@cloudy6317]

same I really think something happened. Because you cannot put all the chances to debut on only one person. That would be really stupid from the company. I think something else happened behind the scenes

[@kabazinga]

are you ten? criticism is not calling someone trash, how are they supposed to improve if their teachers only praise them?

[@ArielthelittleFISH]

@@luvrere5962 it's wrong even if the whole world do it

[@carpe.noctem_]

That so sad.. Leo's lyrics were offensive, but no one deserves to be bullied.. I hope he now understands what was wrong and be successful in future

[@xiayu6098]

It was just a cover anyone judging that just hasn’t listened to some rap

[@lalaland4080]

@@xiayu6098 it wasn't a cover, he wrote the lyrics himself.

[@oreozu_]

@@lalaland4080 still, bullying him over lyrics is so childish. The same international "fans" would praise american artists for doing the same thing. It's truly unfair for kpop idols

[@niji0416]

@@oreozu_ they all act like idols cant make mistakes and i hate this side of kpop. even after an apology they continue to hate on him and stuff, and then theyre all suprised when he leaves

[@Aot1768]

@@oreozu_ You do know that the reason why we like kpop in the first place was because they are less problematic? Ofcourse we are going to critisize him, especially if he’s making weird lyrics about women, i’m a woman so i will never simp for a man like that, and i will never let a man put women down just because he was good looking and got angry. Him saying that he wrote the lyrics because he was angry was the worst excuse, its the same as if he actually beat his girlfriend up and then say ”Sorry i was angry.” We do not need anyone like him in the kpop industry.

[@ellem6275]

I still have hope that JJ will debut🙏 they need to debut him, i do not think that they can afford to let go of a rare gem like him. TraineeA needs to debut together! I’ve grown attached to them already🥲

[@rosl.]

Honestlyyy! I'm not even a big k-pop fan nor an active TraineeA follower, I only knew them because of JJ. The first time i saw him dance, I was literally shook to my core. I really hope they put him on the big stage, they must 😭😭🙏🙏

[@ellem6275]

@@rosl. I also knew about TraineeA because of him😭 he is not only very talented but is also very passionate. They need to debut him ASAP😔

[@lordgrimixb]

​@@ellem6275 same.❤

[@siohunndai]

Honestly I feel like HYBE just didn't think the group was Korean enough after Leo left. They didn't want to add new members because they specifically planned to introduce and build up the reputations of the lineup predebut. Their plan was very carefully planned, and any issues would cause it all to fall apart (and it did).

[@nanaaaaaa]

It was well planned but they're careless. The management should've known better, they took the Leo controversy lightly, later it became boomerang for them. As you said Korean think they don't look like usual BH groups that always have only Korean members, except for Kai who's half Korean, I myself came across one of those kfans/BH stan. After the incident, some of international fans begin targeting him and his group. It can't be helped they eventually cancel the plan since the reactions were rather cold and Leo left while he's the key member and glue of the group. It could be prevented if the management isn't careless. Also, almost on every evaluations they seem discouraged because the staff barely give them encouraging words. I watched some of their vids and get the impression the team want them magically perfect with less effort, unprofessional imo.

[@heavenlykai6839]

@@nanaaaaaa I agree, too. There's LOTS of unprofessionalism going on at HYBE, and what they said was downright degrading. They'd act as if these kids were professionals already with total amounts of experience under their belts. I watched a bit, and I didn't enjoy most of the "criticism." You cannot shame people. Criticizing is needed for improvement, but there are healthy ways to do it. Being an asshole isn't getting you anywhere, especially with groups.

[@ferdinando723]

I really wanted to see JJ debut as a kpop idol! He's such a great dancer! I still think they will debut under a different name!

[@TrinhNguyen-sh4fj]

This is so sad! I was looking forward to their debut, however, I am not that shocked as it is hard to debut and even one tiny mistake can mess everything up. This industry is truly cut throat and filled with so much pressure. It is no wonder so many artists have a lot of psychological problems. However, I wish all of the members the Best regardless of what each of them decide to do. It should not be the end of their dreams and hope they get another chance to do what they want to do. Good luck to all of them!

[@sunnygirlll_2001]

It's really a shame bc they were set to become one of the biggest group of the world, their dancing skills were the best

[@ma.genevi]

Release my son JJ from Hybe’s basement!! He needs to see the light and be able to expose his talent to the world! He is too talented to just be kept like this for goodness’ sake!

[@dagmarbubolz7999]

Yes, he is a talented dancer, but as someone who has been with top hip hop dancers from Germany (that won multiple big battles like Juste Debout in France which is considered the unoffical world championships), I can tell you it's super hard to build a career around dancing alone. Most of them just travel the world doing dance workshops, if they are lucky, and a bit more business savy, they open a dance studio. If you want more than that, go gotta do singing on top. And that's what he did, he was an idol before in Japan. He doesn't need to be freed, because that's exactly what he wanted. And frankly, with BH he has a better chance to build a career that also gives him more artistic freedom, than with other companies.

[@ma.genevi]

@@dagmarbubolz7999 When I said release him from Hybe's basement, I meant for the company to debut him already with his group. I’m very well aware that he's talented in the singing department too and has always wanted to become a successful idol.

[@ellem6275]

I agree, i know JJ will make it big in kpop industry someday with his talents👍

[@a.h7776]

@@ma.genevihe started training like only 1 year ago calm down he’s done the lowest time in training he’s not in a basement

[@ma.genevi]

@@a.h7776 It’s called speaking figuratively. And frustration is a very normal thing to feel especially when you’re a fan who’s been left in the dark like that.

[@eera.loves.icecream]

It’s sad that all of this happened in the first place, but I hope that the boys get the chance to debut again :( I can’t imagine their dreams, training years and all the potential going to waste, they were so great!

[@jypjisungie8891]

I wish I could stay positive and believe in the "restructure" of the group, but I just don't see that happening. Deleting predebut content and social pages with a big following makes no sense. The company would just change the name of the social pages like they did for the transition between &AUDITION and &TEAM and keep their followers. The only thing we can maybe hope for is for some of the members staying with the company or getting a call back to join a future project like Yunjin from LE SSERAFIM. Trainee A as we know it with all the members we love probably won't exist, but I hope the fandom at least supports the members in their individual projects. I'm so sad it ended up this way.

[@CelestialBL]

They were monster rookies in the making it was sad that they had to go what happened!?!😭😭☁️❤️❤️Send them love

[@Tiw111]

@@ghukifymooth3827 “in the making” not that they’re already rookies. I think you misunderstood op

[@ghukifymooth3827]

@Reconnaissance Sorry, when I first read it, it wasn't edited yet.

[@nipicis]

​@Reconnaissance no need to act like that they didn't know

[@soobins.bread143]

I was so excited... it was such a diverse line up and they were so talented. I saw their pre-debut mv that they made with one of their phones and it was *SO GOOD*! It was the first group I stanned from pre-debut. I'm so mad at big hit. Maybe they will debut under a new label? Either way I really wish the best for their future endeavors

[@soobins.bread143]

@@luvrere5962 because they ended traineea project but I didn’t mean any offense :))

[@crypticshadows]

same. I really liked them and while I didint stan them i watched a lot of their videos and I never actually knew what happened until I saw this video. I’m so sad about this honestly

[@ixkthyn]

Im still waiting for their debut 😭😭😭

[@131_ID]

Welcome to 131 LEO❤❤❤

[@Ellie-nv5vf]

I truly believe kpop fan culture has become one of the most toxic things about the industry. The Leo situation was blown way out of proportion, it's almost comical. The criticism wasn't unwarranted, but much of it was just too extreme. Kpop stans love to preach that kpop idols "are human", yet, they can never make mistakes and grow from them. Their careers are immediately ended. Fans have set the standard that idols need to be perfect 24/7 or it could be at the detriment to the careers. This (along with other stressors), is why so many idols have such deep mental health problems. I hope the other boys get to debut soon! 💕

[@mimiandy1683]

I think some people got pissed because Leo's rap blew up the "clean, fun and friendly" image that they have for idols.

[@dianacz3511]

@@mimiandy1683 he did a mistake, he used b*th and h*oe in his lyrics and thats wrong But its not as bad as to stop him to debut. He's young and probably he had this example of Usa rapper that think that rapping is about insulting women. It was enough with a statement, you know, there's always toxic People Who uses idol's mistakes to Hurt them. The problem was Hybe for thinking that those lyrics were ok, sharing them and not explainning him that he can rap and talk about life without insulting women

[@alexss3661]

Nobody is asking for perfection lmao respecting women and people in general is simply human decency

[@Ellie-nv5vf]

@@alexss3661 what is your point? like, what is it that your saying? lol after this he's not a decent human being now? it's hilarious that you just proved my point.

[@alexss3661]

​@@Ellie-nv5vf if he can't respect women, call them "b*tch" and even talks about k!lling a woman then he's not a decent human being, but no one truly knows him. You're not a close friend of him, you're just a fan. I also don't know him, and I'm not saying he's not a decent human being. I understand that he didn't write those lyrics but he still chose to rap them. I'm just saying asking idols to be respectful to other people is not asking for perfection, it's asking them to have basic human decency.

[@laceyharrison384]

I was so excited for their debut that I even had their picture on my social media account headers😭 It’s so sad that Leo left and now it’s even worse that this happened. Even so, I will still support each of the members! ❤

[@Sky_h]

This group had so much potential and I truly believe they would have become very successful with such a solid line-up. I honestly can't believe just how many scandals HYBE has failed to prevent. Who doesn't make mistakes? Leo should have been given a second chance but the public obviously wouldn't agree, so here the company should have noticed the controversial lyrics and stopped its release. As such a big and international company now, I'm just really surprised at HYBE's incompetence in this.

[@laymstan]

Why are you justifying him, he's an adult guy should know what he's doing☠️

[@danielloss9956]

Hybe never talked about them .the could have just been ten ing big hit old buildings.

[@okokobala]

Imagine HOW MANY trainees go through this canceled debut situation, man, this must be so frustrating!!!!!!

[@June.Pandora]

I feel really bad for them, I hope they eventually get to debut!

[@TifaLockheart13]

Was really looking forward to this group especially JJ 😭Hoping the best for them!

[@edicaprihoe.]

JJ is still under HYBE, he's still a trainee under HYBE

[@kpopunofficialchannel7397]

I was super upset when hearing they weren’t gonna debut, I was excited for it.

[@DebunkHatred]

I feel bad and cried when hearing that they weren't going to debut. It was bad timing Garam and Leo almost at the same time. I miss them... and I worry about what is going to be their future. I think about JJ all the time... and the others.

[@DebunkHatred]

JJ's birthday is coming up on January 27th. His real name is Takagi Justin Jay. If y'all can find him... wish him Happy Birthday.

[@igotpushed5490]

I feel like Leo feeling depression with mental pressure impacted the whole group’s mental health coz it’s extremely hard being an idol in a big company like Hybe. As a stan of a Hybe group (Enhypen) I can say that for sure that it has changed them a lot, they used to be way more happier & relaxed during debut era, now they’re under heavy pressure 24*7, the physical exhaustion from dancing daily for hours non stop, the mental pressure of being top tier being in biggest company, making no mistakes, the constant online hate & what not, everything is just TOO MUCH ! Anyone would fall under depression like this tbh 😔 I pray for all these idols 🙏🏻 specially those under big demanding companies like Hybe who don’t even let idols breathe 😢

[@danielloss9956]

Hybe has mental health staff in the Hybe building for their trainees and artist. Please before speaking go to Hybe meeting.

[@girigiriboy0124]

I was really excited to see Woochan debut 😢 i was there when he started from SMTM so my excitement when i discovered he was “gonna” debut was off the roof that’s why it’s so heartbreaking to hear the news 😣

[@chayazeff1995]

It's so sad and disappointing that the group won't debut 😞. I was really looking forward for them to debut. They were already very popular and have fans. They have potential. What a shame 😔

[@LUNE_ALWAYS_27]

I really hope the members can debut in other groups, they worked so hard to be in trainee A and for the project to be scraped like that is just damn. I haven't been a kpop fan for long but what I've noticed with some musicians is that if one group doesn't work out, then in the next year or two we'll see them in a different group im rooting for these guys, they'll debut soon maybe not as trainee A but they'll debut

[@Doveyme]

I been a Yorch fan since his Thai drama days and wanted him to debut so badly 😭

[@vykim7945]

To be honest I just think shutting down all the updates is a marketing strategy, this is to draw more attention to the group as many people are constantly searching for more information about the project's sudden closure. I think they will definitely debut in 2023 so don't lose hope!

[@notyorbaddie1755]

They are so *TALENTED* so im more than sure *THEY WILL GET HUGE SUCCESS* in whatever they do

[@ambarmar8601]

It’s heartbreaking to see how close they were to debut, it was pretty much promised to them and all of the hard work that not only the company but also those trainees put in and their sacrifices from the foreign members being so far away from home to the hours the had to put in. This is just heartbreaking

[@WhippedForJungkookie]

Much speculation but whatever the truth, Hybe knows what they are doing, they will not end projects lightly especially when they have invested so much into them. Hybe do protect, support and nurture their Artists, they have many plans for them. It may not be the end for Trainee A, they do have so much potential and talent, it would be a shame to let that go to waste. Wish them all the best ❤️

[@illyrianaa]

«protect, support and nurture their artists» yeah, only the one in your pfp lmao. Tell that to poor innocent 16-year-old Kim Garam who they didn’t give a single f about.

[@Kdramaagossips]

Its so sad like they were so excited to debut and i was patiently waiting for there debut so sad to hear this news

[@gabdongipark]

Leo wrote bad lyrics but Hybe let him do it and posted the video. They removed because it got backlash, nobody else stopped that boy. Do not only blame him then

[@madelynnmacias358]

Ong fax

[@gabdongipark]

@5moke Chaser i never stanned them and I dont know what he said

[@justthetruth3950]

@5moke Chaser They were, he rapped about violence against women, killing his ex, and made slavery comparisons. At the time, when Le Serafim debuted and the whole Garam thing, it brought attention to Trainee A members again, for what happened with Leo too and how he only had a slap on the wrist and a bad apology. Hybe gathered a really bad image in the eyes of the public for continuingly debuting controversial idols, so they just weren't going to risk it debuting him with their new group. And when he left they realized the group wasn't ready.

[@justthetruth3950]

@5moke Chaser lmao, aww you're defending him and you don't even know how to read? Yup, seems about right, just what I expected.

[@justthetruth3950]

@5moke Chaser also, you erased your other comment, did you realized that the lyrics were actually that bad? Lol, because they are.

[@twiceteencaratonce2532]

I'm gonna become mad if hybe never let's them debut for a stupid reason. They would've been one of the most successful 4th gen groups. Unless they wanna take a break, that's alright and they can.

[@crackheadsimagination1135]

Ok but have you ever thought if a memeber of Trainee A or a few wanted to quit, but they didn't want to tell their fans directly, because some of the "fans" won't understand and start to show their toxicness towards the members and pressure them to stay?

[@chaesbestie_]

@@crackheadsimagination1135 I agree with you

[@twiceteencaratonce2532]

@@crackheadsimagination1135 so sorry, unless that too. You're right tho, if they don't wanna be in the group, they don't have too. I'll correct my mistake

[@forever5745]

You do know that it all started after Leo scandal after he left many things happened...

[@rainbowpanda4232]

@Crackhead's Imagination yeah even when members leave... people are selfish and only put their needs first but sometimes this kind of decisions may be made for the idols peace too so I hope most would realise there may be more sides to a story and don't rush to conclusions until they have exact details 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@Vlc506]

I really hope Hybe is going to do the right thing for these boys and their fans. I hope they don’t let them get scooped up by other agencies after everything they have invested in them. It’s very disappointing.☹️

[@cf-bx5om]

i miss them so muchㅠㅠ i hope that they could still debut but im not sure.... they were the best and ive been following them since day 1

[@aritanashrah4661]

James was a back up dancer for Jungkook's seven performance in inkigayo

[@charlloteihong1615]

i was really rooting for them since first day. I hope they'll be succesful someday so i can watch them perform on stage as an idol. Best wishes to each of you.

[@mylifeasjacey]

I was waiting for them to debut they were so popular now I find out all this happened if bighit restructures the group I hope the majority of them come back I am always rooting for them ❤

[@i_purple_u846]

When I heard about it I was so sad because even if they didn’t debut yet I knew that I would Stan them this is so sad

[@jacksonwanglivingmeme251]

Hope they debut under different agencies and get recognition

[@serim_luvity]

I wish they can debut all together somewhere!!! They all look great and cool together!! Well wherever they go, I hope it's good or something 🤩😍

[@yourmuse7]

They would've been monster rookies

[@focusjamesfocus4004]

I really miss them... I really hope and wish that the other members will debut :'(

[@blue_cat444]

im so sad for them ! they worked so hard ! I hope they will achieve their dreams no matter what

[@xi5273]

I was waiting for their debut, the whole thing ending like that was such a dumb conclusion it's sad.

[@kenziii5973]

I was really surprised when Leo decided to leave the group like he traveled from Australia to south korean to persue his dream and him just leaving like that was weird like he might've already knew they're not debuting the group . And i personally felt like after the affiliated agency debuted &team they had less chances .

[@nnn9854]

he was getting extreme hate, death threats and cyber bullied.

[@forever5745]

@@nnn9854 yea like when he was getting lots of hate only few were on his side but after he left the group suddenly every one on twitter started saying that's hybe couldn't even protect him and blamed the company........

[@aaronmiguelsalvo8484]

Well some Asian countries are very different and are very messed up. You would have to adapt in your own way in order to survive, but even that won't be enough in some situations. Instead of having hate comments hurled at him, it would have been better if someone told him where and why it was wrong and how he can change or improve it. I really hate how most netizens are so ready to bring down someone only to regret it when it is finally done.

[@justthetruth3950]

He ruined his own career, it was obvious he wouldn't debut with the group, it was leaving or not debuting.

[@ihateeveryone9822]

@@justthetruth3950 not denying that his actions were in the wrong, but kpop stans take bullying to a whole new level. it would've ruined anyone's career

[@misaoshikhun2460]

Missing their supposed leader and not finding one who could replace him is i'm sure a big chunk of why a group couldn't debut. I haven't seen a group who debuted without one... it might be seen as an ominous start.

[@caratheadarmy]

If they didn't debuted then bighit really really lost the most talented gems.... We all know how talented these boys are, we all are familiar with their talents, they all are really really very talented, and if what I'm thinking is true then bighit really lost the most talented gems..... They would've have bring them a massive profit but they lost all of them....

[@oceanstaiga5928]

This is the reality of kpop. It’s a business. That’s what usually happens behind closed doors, this company just made the mistake of giving too much coverage on trainees that weren’t fixed yet.

[@susannahellmuth81]

I wish the trainees had better careful psychological advisors or therapists to process their feelings and the pressure. Leo should not have had to swallow all of it up until it all broke down…

[@kellypope9682]

I have not followed any trainee before debut except trainee A and found them very very good. I hope they can still debut with or without Leo.

[@Lina-dx1mq]

i want them to debut i don't care if they add new members i'm too attached to them

[@samcarmen]

Not much time has passed since it's only Jan. 2, but I hope that they continue to be friends. They've spent so much time together and have been through so much that i would hate for that all to go away just because they are no longer training together, and most have probably gone back to their own countries

[@solihaqadri184]

I still love trainee A and support them. ❤hope they will debut idk why hybe ur doing this but u have to let them debut 😌🥺

[@mubashsherafirdous1744]

I hope they will be successful in future

[@cupidttps]

i was really looking forward to them and hearing they won’t continue honestly made me sad😭

[@kenyanbee753]

I'm still waiting for them 😢😢

[@nailsbyLP]

i was really saddened to hear when Leo left and now hearing that the group disbanded :( I will continue to support them with their future endeavors 🤍 and looking at Leo’s recent instagram, he seems to be doing much better which is all that matters

[@RM-b]

crazy how they got mad at Leo for the misogynistic rap (as they should) but western male artists get away with it all time...💀

[@renrin_]

Some people are pointing out how much money their agency must have used for resources and training and even sending them to LA to train over there too. So to mot debut them after all would actually be money lost on their agency. So they must have had a valid reason to not debut them in the end. Whatever it may be, a company wouldnt just stop a project with so much money invested for nothing.

[@A.Adam22]

Most money come from these videos they created KZbin, TikTok so the boys are the ones who lost their career and time not the corporate company.

[@TrinhNguyen-sh4fj]

Sadly some of the reasons are stupid and petty.

[@laceyharrison384]

I hope they still debut as a group in any entertainment😭- All of them who still wanted in, at least.

[@kheii3503]

This is very sad honestly. I didn't know about them until not so long ago before Leo left, and honestly all the content and the fandom that they have really made me think that having one member less wouldn't be like a huge change, except that maybe their debut would take a little longer. But just hearing that the project ended by Yorch really hit me. I sincerely wish that they could continue as a team, but I have no idea if they are going to debut or not :(

[@colonelsanders8320]

I’m not into kpop but ive watched these boys and liked them a lot I’m so sad I wanted them to debut so bad lol i was gonna be a stan 😢

[@1Skorpia]

Love them all. I feel so bad for them. All that hard work. I pray they go into other groups where they debut.

[@eriee233]

I was so looking forward to their debut😭

[@xojanine6387]

i am still goin to believe that the other 5 members are preparing for debut with just 5 of then or maybe some new/other trainees, but i just need to believe and want for at least the 5 of them to debut together… 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼✨✨✨ i wish yorch the best and hope to see him soon either in the drama industry or as an idol, and leo’s music comming this yeR so very excited for that!!!

[@superstarateez6971]

I just started stanning them like a week ago and this happened. I was so sad but i hope that all of the members would debut in other labels or groups that hybe entertainment is making!

[@Hypagemie]

I did lose interest after Leo left but I am pretty sad that bighit did that to them. Its so unfair. 💔 they wasted these boys time.

[@lavienrosewon8811]

Bg Stan re biggest misogynist and love problematic🙃

[@vanshikaandriyas9094]

HYBE has been having some issues regarding management and stuff cause it’s such a big company now. Hoping there’s something good in store for them even if it’s not now.

[@focusjamesfocus4004]

I was so excited for them FR

[@delixcious]

okay so when they announced the project ended i literally cried.... i was waiting for their debut for such a long time.... i wasn't happy when leo left, since he was my bias but that wasn't gonna stop me from supporting them and rooting for them, as i just grew to love all the members so much. they had an insane amount of followers, they had more attention as a pre debut group than some active kpop groups. i really hope that they ended trainee_a to get a clean cut, to leave the controversy behind. ig some people still think of leo's scandal when they think of trainee_a, so it might be a smart move to end the project, delete all former content and have them come back with probably a different line up and a new name. since they had so much attention i think this will only work to a certain extent but i sincerly hope that those were bighits intentions. i also hope that the amount of attention, their huge following and their obvious talent won't go to waste and that bighit feels like they invested a lot. i mean fr bighit u had a perfectly functioning group. they had it all. okay so leo left and they may feel the need to replace him - i get that and i also understand that it's not easy to just replace him with the groups dynamic. i find that bighit has really poor management when it comes to the mental well being of their artists. the way staff talked to trainee_a was harsh and i understand that you have to be tough on them in order to prepare them for debut but i didn't find is incouraging and i understand why that may lead to members questioning their abilities. leo was considered the ace and he wasn't taken care well enough. if u see someone with obvious talent, please take your time and incourage them, give them nice words for a change, instead they were always just threatening them with the canellation of their debut. i really hope this isn't what has happenend in the end. it's still said that bighit will debut a new group next year, and that zicos label will debut a boygroup, so maybe trainee_a members where moved there. tbh their vibe would fit so well into koz because they had more of a hip hop feel than the "classic" boygroup (i hope people understand what i mean by that). hope dies last ig and i hope i won't be too disappointed if they don't debut as a whole. tho i was pleasently surprised not seeing any of the members joining boys planet 999 which ngl gave me a lot of hope that they will still be active as a group together. i really don't want to see them scattered everywhere ...

[@dagmarbubolz7999]

I don't think BH has really poor management regarding mental health. Members of groups have mentioned that they can get help, but you obviously cannot take away the pressure that comes with debuting and this industry. When it comes to the harsh words, I think that is what the trainees need to be prepared for, because that is exactly what they will get after debuting and way worse. As sad as it is, maybe Leo wasn't really suited for this SK industry. Also, when you think they were too harsh to them, you need to take into consideration, that what we got to see was edited. And it was edited to create a certain effect, a certain drama. Wouldn't it bring you way closer to the members as a spectator when you saw them being scolded? Wouldn't you want to protect them? Wouldn't that grow your bond to them? I bet they also received a lot of positive messages off film.

[@tomatoheaven]

regarding these "controversial speech/lyrics," i love how kpop stans will just "OH HE'S 17 SO HE'S STILL A MINOR, HE DOESN'T KNOW YET" and when he turns 19 "OH HE'S AN ADULT, HE SHOULD'VE KNOWN BETTER" as if in 1 year,, he's all mature and knows about world problems and shits not defending him but kpop stans are so hypocritical.. there's no age limit where you're supposed to know it all. you make mistakes, you learn and you grow... that's how it goes till you die

[@joelchakma5504]

The song "Move On" by Leo.... made me realise how talented in production and versatile Leo is.....

[@mehak3646]

This is so sad, they worked so hard they didn't deserve this 😢 they were all so talented, i wanted to see them grow 😔this would've been my favourite 4th gen BG

[@heyitsmejp]

Not gonna lie, this got me sad. I was waiting for their debut. Hope they’re all doing well and keep pursuing their dreams. I do believe Big Hit (HYBE) wouldn’t waste all this time and money just for it to all disappear. Wishing at least some of the guys to debut with new members (although I was already attached to the original Trainee A members). Guess we’ll see what 2023 brings.

[@ShadyPastel]

Good to see that Yorch ended up in POW.

[@claireylanan1307]

so sad they wont debut i love seeing jj to debut in kpop group

[@TheAmuller]

I was really looking forward to their debu

[@uabsjsbzk]

Update: Yorch debuted in a new group called POW under GRID entertainment in october 11 2023

[@Fangirl4ever87]

And Jihoon in TWS (Pledis' new boygroup) and they just debuted last January 22 this year

[@unhaengilchiisart2921]

noo, i just realize their mv also get deleted :'(

[@startsmart14]

I was really looking forward to them debuting 😫😫😫

[@stfu9170]

Leos song Move on soundcloud is the best song ever. I m sooooo happy i can still listen to it its my fav song