2PM’s Jang Wooyoung has revealed that he failed JYP Entertainment auditions six times before finally earning a place at the agency, offering aspiring idols a firsthand account of the persistence behind his career.
https://www.instagram.com/0430_live_boy/?hl=en
Wooyoung shared the story on Aug. 24 while meeting children who dream of becoming K-pop idols in a video posted to his YouTube channel. According to Koreaboo, the singer recalled deciding to pursue an idol career when he was about 11 or 12 and beginning a cycle of auditions every six months.
Wooyoung said he believed six months would give him enough time to improve before trying again. He kept returning to JYP Entertainment despite repeated rejection until his seventh attempt succeeded.
“I failed the JYP audition about six times. Then I passed on the seventh try and joined,” Wooyoung said.
The revelation came as he spoke with young idol hopefuls about what it takes to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. Rather than telling them to focus exclusively on technical skills, he stressed the importance of maintaining a life outside training.
READ MORE: Wooyoung Shares Funny Story About 2PM’s ‘Heartbeat’ Performances on Music Shows
When a parent asked what aspiring idols should avoid, Wooyoung acknowledged that singing, dancing and other abilities are essential but said young people should not concentrate only on practice.
He encouraged them to spend time with friends and family and develop their own artistic interests, including thinking about what music they enjoy and what kind of singer they want to become.
The Chosun Daily, reviewing the same video, highlighted Wooyoung’s confidence as a dancer. During the episode, the production team told him he would visit a dance academy and learn alongside idol trainees as part of a dance-related challenge.
Wooyoung initially joked that he wanted to show off and said he was confident he could take part in a street dance battle, even if he was unsure whether he could win. The challenge also drew attention to his background as a dancer. It noted that he previously served as one of three judges on Mnet’s “Street Man Fighter”, with his predebut experience in dance battles contributing to his casting.
READ MORE: Happy Birthday 2PM Wooyoung: 5 Facts About the Idol You Might Not Know About