Ex-SKarf member cautions K-pop boot camp wannabes about 'real harshness' of industry

[stutterflies.livejournal.com]

Ex-SKarf member Ferlyn Wong cautions K-pop boot camp wannabes: Don't expect too much

By Tan Kee Yun for The New Paper

If K-pop wannabes think the two-week K-Xperience Bootcamp, organised by local entertainment company Big Boss Entertainment, will prep them enough for the harsh realities of a K-pop trainee in Seoul, they are very wrong.

Take that from local singer Ferlyn Wong, former member of Korean female quintet SKarf.

The 23-year-old spent four years chasing her dream in Seoul after being selected for SKarf at an open-call audition by Alpha Entertainment in 2011.

She left her group last September, citing reasons such as "not being able to fit into SKarf's sweetie-pie concept and not being able to voice her own opinions", to pursue a solo career.

Wong released her debut solo album, First, in January.

"I strongly suggest that they use this money to invest in classes in Singapore, which are more affordable and effective in the long run."

- Local singer Ferlyn Wong, former member of K-pop group SKarf (above)

Yesterday, The New Paper reported that a parent is spending US$3,800 (S$5,300) on her 15-year-old daughter to join the boot camp in South Korea.

Participants will be trained by Korean record label trainers and get to attend auditions held by some of Korea's top entertainment agencies, like JYP, MBK and Cube, at the end of the camp.

In an interview with TNP, Wong said that while aspiring stars might get a taste of the regimental lifestyle, she has "high doubts" they will know "the real harshness".

"How long can a boot camp be? A few weeks? If that's the case, they won't be able to experience the 'full course meal' which I had. They will likely just be trying the 'appetisers'.

"Not being able to fully understand Korean might be a good thing for them.

"At least they won't be getting the full impact of insults, or rather verbal abuse, which was something I was unprepared for."

Her mum was called by her Korean manager because Wong was allegedly "too opinionated".

"My manager told my mum off, saying she should have taught her daughter better and that her daughter is not living the way a proper human being should," said Wong.

Wong's manager also allegedly scolded her, saying "she will never succeed in anything she does".

OTHER OPTIONS

Wong said: "US$3,800 is not a small sum. Kids might not understand that their parents worked hard to earn that money.

"In fact, there's a high chance the (camp fees) might be the monthly income of their household.

"I strongly suggest that they use this money to invest in classes in Singapore, which are more affordable and effective in the long run."

She explained that while the camp "might be beneficial for character building, toughening up and experiencing a new culture", it would "not be useful in terms of picking up skills due to its short duration and lack of continuity".

Wong said she would instead recommend "exchange programmes in schools, or even church camps which are free".

"As for picking up dancing or singing, I think that signing up for long-term regular lessons would be more effective," she said.

To those who have already signed up, Wong advised: "They are very blessed and lucky to have parents who are so supportive. I'd advise them not to expect too much out of it, just enjoy and learn as much as they can.

"It'll definitely not be a total waste of time and money. They might learn that this career path is not for them or vice versa, and might be more determined in working hard for their passion.

"I hope they are motivated by passion towards the art, and not just blind passion about being a celebrity and being famous."

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/psychedelico_/]

was she one of the girls who revealed they had to call her managers "mom" and "dad"?

Her mum was called by her Korean manager because Wong was allegedly "too opinionated".

"My manager told my mum off, saying she should have taught her daughter better and that her daughter is not living the way a proper human being should," said Wong.

my mom would've killed this person for saying that to her. between this and the verbal abuse, i'm glad ferlyn got out of that situation.

[stutterflies.livejournal.com]

Yep, that's her! From what I've read, their management was seriously fucked up. Omona has an years-old article about it their day-to-day lives: http://omonatheydidnt.livejournal.com/6846449.html.

They will address their Korean management as their family - the men they will call "appa" (father in Korean) and women "umma" (mother in Korean).

That wasn't even the worst of it smh

[http://users.livejournal.com/psychedelico_/]

yeah i remember reading the article in the newspaper but i couldn't remember for sure if it was her. i'm glad she got out of there even if her current career in singapore is quite lacklustre.

[kwikimart.livejournal.com]

Lol same, my mom would have been like 'FIRST OF ALL HO, don't talk to me that way, SECOND of all, who do you think you are?!' and then an hour later would have destroyed that person and had me out of the school so fast

I wish that kids in the entertainment industry were better protected. It would probably be easier if their show parents actually gave a shit and helped make sure of that.

[krispy-bacon.livejournal.com]

Back when I worked at Target, they made us do this. Because we were a 'family.' I refused to call my coworkers brothers and sisters or my boss 'dad.' They aren't my family. I hated 90% of them! lol It was really creepy to me, and I was constantly told to stop having ideas and opinions so I kind of understand what this girl went through with that.

[http://users.livejournal.com/psychedelico_/]

wtf target. i thought they were one of the good guys. (i don't live in USA but i was under the impression that target treats its employees well unlike walmart? idk lol) but that's really messed up of your employers. i wouldn't have stood for that either.

[krispy-bacon.livejournal.com]

Oh they would -love- for you to believe that. Target is like maybe one slight step above Walmart. It was the worst two years of my life. Management is full of bullies :\ I've caught and heard stories of them doing illegal things against employees -__-

[kyokomurasaki.livejournal.com]

WTF kind of cult Target? The one I worked at years ago didn't make us do anything like that, thank god.

[krispy-bacon.livejournal.com]

Really?? You must've worked there in it's 'still decent' era lol The first time they said to me, "Hey, where's your sister?" I gave them the weirdest look cuz I was like wtf are you talking about? I don't have a sister?? And they meant my coworker...

[iznanassi.livejournal.com]

Gotta look into her after this brilliance

[ah-mui.livejournal.com]

What happened to the group? They kinda disappeared after Ferlyn left. I really liked the leader, the other Singaporean. Tasha?

[waves-of-light.livejournal.com]

I swear they released a sing fairly recently, like in the summer? I remember a self shot mv by a pool.

[10135.livejournal.com]

Maybe you are thinking of Blady https://youtu.be/6Yukzfv47m0

[madielou.livejournal.com]

those out there who want to be a kpop idol should really read from things like this. you don't become besties with staff and other trainees and work hard together and laugh through the tears. like i'm kinda amazed so many fans of kpop want to actually try and be an idol. why would you put yourself through that when it's clear as day that almost all idols look miserable as hell and would probably never do it again if offered the chance.

ugh like that one girl on tumblr who's already in her mid twenties and thinks she can be an idol.

[torontok.livejournal.com]

Oh god the delusional white chick who's scared of reverse racism in Korea?

[madielou.livejournal.com]

ugh unfortunately
"i have pale skin and big eyes....they would love me!!" ugh i feel the intense need to bleach my eyes after having to read that post.

[tree-star123.livejournal.com]

No idea who you're talking about but ia idol life is 24/7 craziness. At least if you're working or schooling you can clock out after a certain time of day but for idols I don't even know how they do it. Can't even imagine how it is for trainees in the smaller companies.

[magicpineapple.livejournal.com]

Same. It's fascinating to me.

[juhli.livejournal.com]

What great timing, mrjkpop just uploaded a video advertising for such a k-pop educational training program. It's from Mamamoo's company, one week for $1629.

[pbutterlion.livejournal.com]

ok we know how small companies and nugu groups work but i wish we would get some tea spilling from some of sm/yg trainees etc

i know its probably not much different but it has to be juicer

[magicpineapple.livejournal.com]

IIRC, there was a AMAfrom a (former) SM trainee that was posted here awhile back; did you happen to read it? Pretty interesting stuff.

[nana-the-dwarf.livejournal.com]

A legit SM trainee?
Link, please.

[magicpineapple.livejournal.com]

http://omonatheydidnt.livejournal.com/15805789.html

Here ya go, sorry for the late reply~ Really interesting stuff! (Lol how many times can I say interesting stuff?)

[uguukawaii.livejournal.com]

wild its good shes so honest i hope her solo career goes well

[lazmy.livejournal.com]

send all the koreaboos there so they'll stop entertaining the idea of hitting it big to follow their oppa around all day

[awsteven.livejournal.com]

lol that won't stop them. they'll just try getting english teaching jobs instead

[lazmy.livejournal.com]

LOL

[violoncelliste.livejournal.com]

wow, she sounds so smart :0 i want to find out more about her, this is the first time I've heard her name or about her group

[awsteven.livejournal.com]

yikes her former manager seems like a nightmare. glad she's out and has her own solo career. she's got a gorgeous voice!

[kyokomurasaki.livejournal.com]

I don't know why anybody would ever willingly sign up for something like this when everybody's heard stories about how horrible conditions in the industry are, even in the big companies. It would probably cost about as much to take singing/dance lessons privately like she said, and they'd probably actually be effective since you'd be practicing for more than two weeks.

This might be useful for people who want to go into the industry to kind of see what it's like, but it just seems like a cash grab. Doing anything for two weeks is going to accomplish basically nothing.