I Trained With BTS: Being on the Brink of Fame and Then Losing it All 

*"If I had made the group, I don't think they would have been as famous as they are now"* ... the amount of maturity it takes to say that

The most painful thing in the world is, knowing that you did your best but still not enough.

"I'm now an intern at the health services but this isn't what I wanted to be" that line really hurts hard , and what hurts more is seeing people you hanged out with make it in life while you aren't making it , good luck my friend

I want to hold his hand and say, "Good job. You've done really well."

I feel bad for him. You can actually see the sadness in his eyes. He has to live forever with his sweet past memories while constantly thinking about his future. He represents many of the other ex trainees.

Being jealous of BTS for staying together is the most realistic thing. I know what it feels like to see my high school friends who still hang out together even after 10 years. I hope he's doing well

It’s crazy how he is probably just a memory for them, like when we used to go to school and had friends as classmates and lost contact, but for him they are his life He has to see them everywhere and it’s a constant what if… if he reads this: sometimes things in life go a certain way for a reason, maybe you were saved from something be happy that you got these stories to tell even years later, those memories stay forever

I love how he turned out, he didn't let it destroy him

It’s actually so sad when you think of how many broken dreams there are of ex trainees who got cut in Korea. KPop is everywhere there so you’re constantly reminded of your past

"i am not jealous of their money or their fame it's just that they get to stay together" man this broke my heart

I hope he finds his own path and become successful, I hope his wishes will come true🥹🥺 it breaks my heart to see that he didn’t make it especially how incredibly kind he is, and I hope BTS members will go visit him too 🥺 this hurts to watch, there are many who never make it to the finish line… 💔💔 hope Army will support his work too

It hurts me in my soul hearing the regret in his voice with every word, still longing for the memories which passed by a long time ago I hope he will find the life that makes him happy, I cannot imagine how it must feel having been so close to success but yet so far, almost there but it slipped through your fingers Best wishes

Idk why but when he said "I used to be a BTS trainee, but now I am just living a normal life working as an intern at a government office" and then he gave this awkward little smile, you can see the sadness in his smile. I hope someday he'll make his dreams come true and get what he truly deserves.💖

This definitely didn’t feel like a trainee who lost their opportunity video. It’s felt like a man who really misses and want sit reconnect with his best friends. 🥺

i myself am jealous of bts's loving friendship, so i cannot imagine the emotional weight of having been friends with them and then having been cut so suddenly. there's a nostalgia i think many of us have for the people we bonded with through our difficult times, especially in our teens. thanks to Ji-hun for sharing his emotions and his aspirations. wishing him the best

One of the hardest things in life is letting go of what could have been. We often grief too much on the life we wish we had and the accomplishments that we forget to enjoy the life we actually have. This interview hurt my heart because I know all too well how it is to live with the regret of "could've and should've"... YET I admire this man, he seems genuine and I'm so glad his heart is pure and sincere when it comes to the boys. He doesn't envy their money or fame, he envies the family like friendship they have and only wishes he was still part of it. My sincere and best wishes to him, and I hope one day he gets to hang out with them and eat fried chicken like that night he went to their dorm. May the boys from BTS be able to make time to see him at least once and help him be the happiest again.

"Back then we shared the same goal, but now my only goal is to be like them" man that hit hard 😢

the fact that he still takes pride in them and doesnt have harsh feelings tells a lot about how nice of a person he must be

Glad to know that he also has the simplicity and pure heart like his old BTS friends, he could had been a great idol like the others. "My biggest goal is to throw a massive party with everyone from my training days", hopefully one day he can make it happen.

The saddest part about this is not debuting together with the 7 boys but the longing . I'm sure he longed for the friendship they created, missed being with them . Wondering if they still remember them . Bc we all have friends that we no longer have communications with when we become adults .

"Even now, they don't look cool to me. They just seem cute. To me, they still just feel like my old friends" This line made me teary. I know bangtan missed their old friends too🥺

"we weren't as passionate as them." "if I'd made it on, they wouldn't have been as big." I respect him so much for being able to say that. it takes a LOT of humility and courage. it's really admirable. he seems like a very kind and ambitious person. I hope he'll make his dreams come true.

I hope this guy can have a good relationship with bts member in the future like when he was trainee

I feel so bad for him . Instead of taking it to a wrong side he still takes pride in them and doesn’t have hate against them. I know how it feels seeing your friends succeed and you don’t without them. He had a go at being a trainee which is a good thing!. So proud of ji !

I know he's not jealous but i can understand how he feels. Your friends are successful, famous, together and having fun, doing what they wanted to do and you left behind and probably alone. When he said he went to the park let out a sigh i felt that.

When he said his mom fainted because of the stress made me realise that it's not only stressful for the trainees but very stressful for their parents also. Edit: Thanks for 6.3k likes

Wow he made it to the top 30 why did he stop singing? I’d love to hear him sing!!

i wish jihoon the best. it's not like i was ever a trainee so i can't exactly say i relate to him, but in high school i was in a "special" art school, in a dorm, and all of my friends and i dreamed of becoming artists. those dorm memories are some of the most precious things i have. most of my friends went on to become amazing artists, some working in animation, being tattoo artists, comic book artists, etc. when i left the dorm to go to another city and pursue graphic design, that's when i had to be hospitalized and "give up" on my dream. it wasn't only my dream, but the dream we all shared. i still feel weird, i'm still in contact with most of them but while they're tracing their paths as artists my news are often "i had to get surgery for this" or "i went back to the hospital for that". the situation is different from jihoon's but i still relate to him somehow. i would like to go back to the old dorms and spend an evening with all of us together just having fun and having that free spirit that characterizes adolescence, not thinking about the "what ifs" and the hardships of life but just the fun of youth. i hope jihoon gets to invite everyone from this trainee period and can catch up with his old friends!

not to be dramatic but this would be literally my villain backstory and he's talking about this so comfortably and with such respect for bts??? i just have to respect him for that edit: I didn't expect for this comment to get so much attention, some of yall are taking it way too seriously: if you don't like the joke just move on, no need to tell me how cringe I am :) just be kind, remember that behind every comment there is a real person

"Even now , they don't look cool to me,they just seem cute .to mr they still just feel like my old friends " I cried so much please. I wish for his success .

There are so many reasons why a trainee can be cut from the team, talent aside, it can also be minor issues about the group concept, members' position overlap, etc. That's why my heart goes out for him, glad to know he's not letting go of his dream, even just for a little bit. I'm glad that he got to spend happy days with Bangtan as close friends, I'm sure they'd be rooting him on as well 💜

it's sad that hi-jun got cut from the group and I don't want this to sound dismissive, but I hope he realizes he's in a much better place now. he has more freedom to date, smoke, have his own opinions, dress how he wants, say what he wants, etc. it's unfortunate that his friendship with bts was cut short (and hopefully they can catch up one day), but there's still a little good that came from this

the title may be misleading some people, but actually he is a kind person. some paths are walked alone in life, he has not lost anything but gained experience :)

The way he talks about his trainee days with such fondness is just crushing. It’s so easy to tell that he wanted to live that dream with his friends and that he put in the hard work for it. Unfortunately, this is the reality of the kpop industry. There are so many trainees that spend years training, only to be told that they are not going to debut. I can imagine just how hard it was for him to pick up the pieces after and find a new purpose in life.

It's heartbreaking the way he explains everything with a smile but yet you see him standing in front of some buildings related to when he was a BTS trainee and see him feel so nostalgic. 😢

One thing as a Muslim I always believe is that if I didn't get anything it was never meant for me ... and was never written for me ... cause perhaps somewhere it would have been proved to be bad for me ... and it really helps on stress depression and regret ...

How humble they are. They admit that they envy their friends who debut as BTS, but not about the money or fame, but about the bond, togetherness. Wish all ex trainees will find their happiness and their dream will come true soon.

You can totally see that jihun wasn’t really sad because of the lost opportunity of fame and money. He really liked BigHit and the friends he made. The mere thought of debuting with your friends, made him the happiest in that moment. Hearing that he stopped classes and even had a breakdown just shows how he treasured the friendships he made in that company. I hope he is happy now.

Just imagine BTS watching this and contact him and hangout with him like they used to back in time when they all were trainees ... And telling him that they are proud of him and they are always there to support him and they're still good friends >>> 🥺💜✨ As an BTS army i wanna say that I'm very proud of you .. we need humans like you more in this planet , you're so selfless and humble . Best luck for your future , we purple you 💜 Ji-hun

What bothers me the most is not that he's regretting, but being rejected while he was literally a kid, imagine going to a room, full of adults, then they tell you "you're not good enough, go pack your things". There really should be an age limit on trainees.

There's nothing more painful than seeing your friends still together on a different path than yours experiencing things that you'll never be able to relate to. He must have suffered a lot because of others' comments that he could have been successful. I hope his future is just as bright as he is and that he doesn't hold on to any regrets.

“It is in the character of very few men to honor without envy a friend who has prospered.”

You can feel his sincerity and pureness. I hope life treats you well, Jihoon!

it's truly amazing that he didn't let himself or was jealous but instead had a genuine smile when he was talking about how he spent time with other bts members. really proud of him and other trainees! you guys did amazing and i really hope you all have a successful life ahead of you. - with alot of love from army

This really hurts my heart. I love how they don’t speak about the past with negative feelings or blaming others. They both seem very kind, I hope their futures are filled with good happenings.

You'd be surprised by how many famous people wish they had "normal" lives. I remember Taemin from SHINee during his solo concert remarking how his fans have progressed in their lives, finishing college, getting married and having kids while he's still in the same place. His words opened my eyes that day because I realised he was comparing himself. Just goes to show no matter who or what you are in life, we all fall victim to comparison, we all fall victim to wondering what life could have been like if we had taken a different path.

2 years later and I still feel bad like really bad super bad I really want to hug him badly😢😢😢

even when he's smiling i can see the pain in his eyes. its sad that he is still happy for them and cares for them but BTS forgot abt him. petition to let BTS see him again and bring him up stage 😭

This must be so difficult to deal with. He seems to be so humble, kind and passionate ... I hope he reaches everything he wants

The feeling of being left behind is so awful. Especially when the "what could have been" is so grand and spectacular, he must have been feeling very hopeless for a long time. For someone to have experienced such a thing against him it is truly commendable that he never resorted to blaming or hating BTS out of bitterness. He never forgot that they were his friends and he's proud of how far they've come. I really really hope this man can reach a point in his life where he is truly happy and doesn't have to regret anything from the past. He deserves the best.

The fact that he doesn't envy them for money or fame but they get to stay together. Says a lot about his mindset. Friendship is mre important than fame.

I wanna hug him and say, "you did well and it's ok, I'm proud of you ❤"

the thing that really got me was when he said “they wouldn’t have been famous if I was there” is so sad ☹️ u are enough. pls don’t ever think that :/

"my only goal is to be like them" made me cry, I hope he finds happiness in whatever he does

무슨 말을 해드려야 할진 모르겠지만... 응원한다고 말하고 싶네요 아무리 탈락이더라도 한때 방탄 멤버들과 같은 꿈을 꿨던 사람으로서 그런 감정이 드는게 정말 당연하다고 생각해요 간혹가다 보이는 안 좋은 한국 댓글들은 신경쓰지 마시고 스스로 멋진 삶을 살길 응원합니다

The real and genuine heart break of youth . I wish this person success and true happiness.

I genuinely feel for him. Especially the fact that he couldn't mention the fact that he did train with the BTS members and in BigHit because BTS blew up. It was definitely hard for him to not mention his trainee days with the BTS members which he deemed was the happiest memory of his life. I really hope he can have the big party and reunion he truly desires and most of all, I wish him all the best for the life he is living now.

" I am now an intern at the korean veterans health service. And I'm just QUIETLY working at an office ". That hit me hard. Having had dreams of spot light and deafening fan-cheers, and ending up at an quiet office place... isn't how he must have expected it. Is this how life usually turns up? I'm not sure what kind of a closure he had with his whole trainee journey, but I hope he finds something that races his heart, and sets passion into his soul again.....ITs NeVEr TOO latE .... Good luck buddy ❤️

솔직히 방탄은 데뷔까지도 데뷔해서도 힘들었던거 아시잖아요. 지금의 모습보면 참 많은 생각이 드시겠지만 그냥 내 길이 아니었구나 나는 나의길이 있겠다 앞길만보고 걸으시길 바래요. 반대로 저는 늦게 방탄을 알게되사 제 커리어에 지쳐 바닥을 길때 위로받고 응원받았어요. 내 갈길 내 속도대로 걷다보면 낭중지추라면서요. 언젠가 나만의 꽃길이 펼쳐지지않겠어요? 인생은 길고 살비다보니 이런날도오는구나 그럴날이올거에요. 고생스럽고 불안했던 연습생시절의 아픔들이 자양분이되길바래요

This is the only reason why i want to work hard and to make it work for me!!! This guy is one hell of a person. BTS is everywhere and seeing them around during birthday projects must be so difficult, he will always think, i would have been there too but something went wrong. The feeling of doing things you dont love is certainly the toughest thing to do. The amount of success they've had, now he cant even tell people about it. Stay strong mate!! I wouldnt say you have better opportunities waiting!! Because saying so will make me look ignorant. I will just say, be at peace.

It must have been extremely hard for him to get over the fact that his friends would debut without him especially now where BTS is one of the most popular boy band in the world. I really hope that he’s living a good life now and he’s happy with what he has achieved in his personal life so far! I truly believe that God has a plan for all of us and maybe the fact that he didn’t get to debut with BTS might have saved him from a lot of emotional struggles!

I don't know why but this was so painful to watch. I can't imagine the pain and sadness mans going through. But even after all the pain, he's still holding on and sounds so humble. Plus when he said that he wasn't jealous of their fame or wealth but the fact that they get to stay together, that shit hit hard. Imagine not being able to see your friends again because they got famous. I hope his life isn't all gray and he isn't lonely.

He’s got music in him, though heartbreaking he didn’t make it, the music shouldn’t stop. Hope he can find opportunities to still express his talent. His time and experience isn’t wasted

I'm glad that he survived despite losing almost all his happiness, his biggest dream, his hope and self-belief and the more importantly, his friends. I really feel sorry for him and every other BTS' trainee.Just imagine yourself in place of him😢and then you'll feel the pain!!😭 I feel like he needed to be given another chance or opportunity. He looked so determined......

I THINK, WE SHOULD BE PROUD OF HIM BECAUSE HE IS NOT BITTER ABOUT THEM EVEN THOUGH HE COULD BE WHERE BTS IS TODAY. I AM FEELING PROUD AS I SEE HIM IN THE INTERVIEW, THAT IS HOW PEOPLE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE. HE IS AMAZING. I WISH HE GETS EVERYTHING HE WANTS NOW.

"If I had made the group, I don't think they would have been as famous as they are now" that's so touching for an ex-trainee to say that. It only shows that they have respected and love BTS. They don't have bitterness in life. I hope and pray for their individual success and happiness in life. For sure BTS wish them well too.

What’s more important is that he tried to pursue his passion and there’s no regret in that, the regret is when you never even try

Him to his friends: "Are you debuting?" "Will you really be called Bulletproof Boy Scouts?" pain, that hurts

This was so fascinating and makes you think about the trainees who didn't make the cut. I hope they're all doing well and find happiness.

His story reminds me the story of jinny park, jang hanna, gina maeng, kim eunbi (which was one of the saddest ever) and, i respect so much to all of them. They were cutted from their team too but they kept trying just like him. In k-pop, it is common to see magnificent success stories often but when sun goes down and night comes out, the stories of the ones who didn't make it always leaves a mark in my heart.

I pray that you live a happy and healthy life. This guy is pure kindness. He deserves the love and all. And I pray that he gets to hangout with his old pals again in BTS. I’m pretty sure the friendship is still there.

"before they blew up, I used to tell people how I was a trainee in big hit, after they become so popular I no longer told people about it" man this really is respect, this dude deserves a lot more attention. It broke me, I know how jealousy of them being together feels like, you are really an angel for not breaking them apart.

this makes me think about how healthy of an environment bighit must have been for their ex-trainees to come out still well-rounded and not holding any bitterness inside them. he even said that his trainee years were the happiest years of his life. mr. ji-hun i wish you all the best in life and i hope you get to hold that party with your friends soon!!! 💗 this was a really good watch. this speaks volumes about your character and also the character of every BTS member

he doesn’t really seem like he’d fit in bts , but i hope he’s doing well now. you can tell he’s so kind

I just want to give a big hug and tell him how brave and courageous he is for speaking about this. May the universe continue to bless you even still.

almost is the most heart breaking word for real "i was almost there" "he/she almost loved me" "i almost did it" "i almost debuted"

Wow I'm so glad I stumbled across this. In 2016 I auditioned in a very large Korean entertainment company as a trainee to be a singer-performer. I remember the day that I got the email from the proctors telling me that I made the first round, and that they would want to see me again. It wasn't trainee-status, but after 4 auditions, I finally got a call back. This felt like something was finally looking up - for someone who wanted to perform and sing and feel represented as an Asian guy. They told me to sing the same song as last time, but now there was a couple of other guys in the room, along with a rather popular choreographer from Korea there. I only probably sang for 30 seconds, and then they asked me how old I was. I was 19 at the time - and that's when they told me, "Actually, you sing well, dance well, and look the part. You're what we are looking for in a trainee, but I have to be honest - you're just about a couple years too old for us to take you. We need someone who's like you but younger so that we'd have time to train." Of course - I knew that as a hunch because as a 19 year old, I also knew many kpop idols began their *careers* at that age. I sort of knew I was a bit old. Flash forward a couple years, and I'm producing music freelance, and all my friends are always saying things like "Wow youre so kpop style" "Wow youre so cool looking now" But little did they know that those words, however gracious and harmless it was to the lips that uttered - striked me down and reminded me of a life that could have been but never was. I now work a regular job, just like Ji-hun ci, at a Korean American bank, in the IT department. I only sing at church now. :) No regrets, but just thought I'd share.

I wish they meet again someday 🌟🙏

This story is actually inspiring and heartbreaking at the same time. My heart wants to hug all the ex trainees that wouldve been part of BTS if only their destiny said otherwise. But i must say, when the door closes, a window of opportunity opens. It would be great is Jihun and Hwan continued to be backup dancers or dnace teachers if they really were passionate abt dancing or singing. Otherwise become tourist officers or guides for Bts fandom, they cna share valuable wisdom from stories of living with legendary BTS members back when they were trainees. Id love to hear it from them

I feel it when he says "I never thought they would go that big." I was a fan from the moment they debuted and I remember everyone in school still thought kpop during that time wasn't cool. I even went to their concert way back in 2014 and then eventually I got over fangirling because I had to focus on university. Now, I see news about them whenever I'm on my social media and all. I'm really happy I was there when they were starting and I'm glad BTS achieved the goals they have always wanted. They truly were geeks, I could tell from how they act during the concert Red Bullet that I attended. I remember even saying to myself that Jungkook sounded so young in person. Time flies truly. I'm happy for BTS and I'm happy for Ji-hun.

I love his vibe and the fact that he isn't bitter about it. Being a trainee isn't easy at all and it's sad that he didn't get to debut but I hope he achieves his new goals.

This video made me think that there are many successful idols out there but there are also many who fail and bury their dreams

Awww man. He is so sweet. I wish he gets all the happiness in life.

*I love his vibe and the fact that he isn’t bitter about it. Being a trainee isn’t easy at all and it’s sad that he didn’t get to debut but I hope he achieves his new goals*

As a 2014 ARMY I totally agree with the part when he said that "he didn't thought that they'll became that big" cause it's true, when they debuted they had a lot against them and 2014-2015 where hard times specially with all the EXO controversy but it's really nostalgic and beautiful to see them become this big and being like a family and I hope that all the trainees are living a good life.

The part that got me almost crying was when he and the other ex-trainee said if they were still part of the group they don't think BTS would've been this famous. I almost cried! i can only imagine the constant what ifs they may have. Wishing them well with their journeys and hope they reach their goals

Literally every single Line broke my heart and i hope BTS get in touch with you We love you and will support you You're successful in your life just the way you are that innocent heart of yours deserves so much

His statement: when I got cut, I could’ve gone to another agency but I didn’t because I liked Big Hit so much...says a lot about Big Hit and its people. I wish him much success in life.

When the second friend said ‘ if i had made to the group , i don’t think they would have been as famous as they are now’ , it really hurt me when he said that. I have heard people say that we should rewrite our fate , but I think everything is already written and we just live according to it , it just some believe that we can rewrite. BTS are fated to be together and to be successful and I’m happy. Not always hardwork pays off but we also need some luck and we should be fated to it, or else it just become bitter memories. I hope these two people find their happiness and be successful in their life. All the best!!☺️

Watching this overwhelming documentary again... is difficult to breath and not to cry... As a Holistic Therapist, I believe anyone can become successful at any age... still time for you to be super famous ...you are famous already, but if you wish to be wwf, DON'T GIVE UP. trying hard -working hard will have an outcome sooner or later. There is no result if you give up. No need to be BTS. Be yourself. I love you for being you. 🇧🇷🎄💚🦋🙏 Merry Christmas from Brazil.

The fact this man coped with losing his friends and a massive opportunity is extremely heartbreaking. He's a real man.

If this happened to me it would absolutely crush my soul. It speaks of the strenght of this man's character that he is carrying on with his life so well. When he was saying how they told him he was cut from the group it made me feel like it wasn't even the case that he was actually "not good enough". It was probably some other reason that had nothing to do with him. A part of me wishes he would go to a different agency and find success somewhere else but this unfortunate thing with his mother probably made him stop. It's interesting how, for some of us, all of the starts allign to prevents us from succeeding. He was just unlucky. I don't believe in fate or destiny but sometimes it does feel like some people were just destined for greatness and the rest of us were not. When I was a kid I was told "just work hard and you will be successful" but that is not always the case. Jihun worked hard and was on the right path and he still didn't make it. It just goes to show that hard work alone is not enough. I like how he said that he doesn't envy BTS because they're rich or famous but because they have a bond, a togetherness. What I envy BTS the most is not their money or fame either but the fact that they have made their dreams come true. They have purpose in their lives. Most of us go through life without any purpose, searching for meaning but never finding it. And with our dreams broken or forgotten. But BTS are living their dream every single day and that is something we all crave for in a way.

"that time was the happiest memory of my life" it was his hyyh, his youth, his 'most beautiful moment in life'. :'(

I cried watching this video

I cried a lot.. BTS has been an inspiration and motivation to do well in my studies.. they have been the biggest support to me during my difficult times.. I always remember their story and the hardships they faced to reach the place they are in now and that had always motivated me to get through difficult days.. I slowly started to drift apart from BTS when the members started enlisting.. I barely listen to their songs nowadays.. This video made me realize how much of a support BTS has been to me and I feel guilty for not being much involved.. I also feel like Iam not trying much in life.. From now on Iam going to work extra harder without giving up like they had done, to make my life better and Iam not going to forget the strength and courage I have received through them..

he has a big heart, not successful does not necessarily fail. even he gracefully wants to support his friend. From here I learned that everyone's portion is different, we can live happily and become great people in our own way

when he said he regrets not being able to simply hang out with them, that broke my heart :(

The fact he isn’t jealous of their fame or money but the fact they get to stay together 😭💔

I honestly think he's doing great. That's awesome he was even able to create a real friendship with people that are so legendary now. He should feel proud. It sounds like he has other friends who share his feelings with him because they were also trainees, so at least he's not alone in his feelings.

I could only imagine how he felt when BTS started getting big. To see your friends who trained with you for years slowly reaching the dreams you all dreamt together and you're doing remotely different from what you originally wanted. It must have hurt but I truly applaud him for being so humble all throughout the video. I wish him all the happiness in the world and may he be successful in the path he's walking now. 💜