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Lucy Jeong

Many K-pop idols come from different walks of life – from entering the industry as child actors or former models, to being scouted on the streets and even performing as backup dancers for other famous names.
Here, we take a look at the K-pop idols who danced out of the spotlight before becoming superstars in their own right …
1. BTS members Jungkook, J-Hope, Jimin, Jin, V and Suga

BTS members, who’ve broken records on Billboard charts, once danced for other senior artists under their agency. In 2012, a year before their debut, 16-year-old Jungkook and 19-year-old J-Hope stood behind Jo Kwon of 2am for his solo performance for the song I’m Da One. As for Jin, V and Suga, they made special appearances in the music video of the song.

This wasn’t the only time they had stood behind senior artists. When the girl group Glam debuted under Hybe (formerly Big Hit Entertainment) in 2012, Jimin, Suga, Jungkook and J-Hope came together once again and performed as back up dancers at the group’s debut.
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2. Chungha

Before Chungha made her name as a solo diva, she went through some ups and downs in the beginning of her career, spending seven long years as a trainee. In 2013, she danced next to Ulala Session for their performance on the show Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend – a show in which she appeared as a solo artist four years after her debut as a backup dancer.

Perhaps due to her past experiences, the 25-year-old star has become known for being good friends with her dancers, and she’s been outspoken about her support for dancers. On EBS radio show Chungha’s Listen in 2019, she said: “I hate the word ‘backup’ dancer. Can we please take out ‘back’ in front of dancers?”
3. SNSD’s Hyoyeon

One of K-pop’s most talented dancers, Hyoyeon is the main dancer in girl group Girls’ Generation. She also recently joined new band GOT the Beat. Also spending seven years as a trainee, she’s danced behind many senior artists, such as performing in queen of K-pop Boa’s shadow at the 2005 Mnet KM Music Video Festival.


The 32-year-old formed a dance duo with Min – a former member of now-disbanded girl group Miss A – called Little Winners. Their performances even got attention in the street scene, winning the 2003 Street Jam contest.
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4. Monsta X’s Shownu

If you’re wondering who stood next to the alluring Lee Hyori in her Bad Girl performance in 2013, it was Shownu before his debut with six-member boy group Monsta X in 2015.
Dancing as a couple in the song, Shownu has expressed his gratitude to Lee many times in entertainment shows, saying that she would get meals with the dancers after shows, and even gave them bookings for tanning services for free, according to Koreaboo.
5. Daniel Kang

Solo artist Kang Daniel’s breakdancing background makes him a perfect fit for his current role as host of popular dance programmes Street Woman Fighter and Street Dance Girls Fighter.
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The 25-year-old singer, who was formerly part of boy group Wanna One, also has “backup dancer” on his resume. Before his debut, he danced beside Fiestar’s Cao Lu on the show Her Secret Weapon in 2015. Cao Lu performed the song Invitation alongside Spica’s Park Sihyun. In an interview with SBS’s Access Showbiz Tonight in 2017, Kang said that since it was his first time dancing with a girl, he was so nervous that his hands were shaking.
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K-pop idols

10 K-pop idols who were once backup dancers, from BTS members Jungkook, J-Hope, Jimin, Jin, V and Suga, to SNSD’s Hyoyeon who performed with Boa, and solo diva Chungha

From Chungha to BTS members, these K-pop superstars got their start as backup dancers. 
Photos: MBC, @Baby_V_V_/Twitter

BTS members Jungkook, J-Hope, Jimin, Jin, V and Suga were all once backup dancers. Photo: @bts_twt/Twitter

BTS members Jin and V in Jo Kwon’s single I’m Da One. Photo: Big Hit Entertainment

Chungha was a backup dancer for girl group Ulala Session. Photo: MBC

Chungha as a back dancer on the show Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend. Photo: KBS

SNSD’s Hyoyeon once danced for K-pop superstar Boa. Photo: @hyoyeon_x_x/Instagram

K-pop star Shownu. Photo: @shownuayo/Instagram

Daniel Kang hosts popular dance programmes Street Woman Fighter and Street Dance Girls Fighter. Photo: @daniel.k.here/Instagram

Life after K-pop: as Jay Park retires, here’s what 5 more idols did after quitting showbiz – from Ahn Eun-jin’s YouTube videos to Lee Ji-yeon’s chef career and Lee So-eun becoming a lawyer

These K-stars left their K-pop careers behind in order to pursue other jobs. Photos: @sportskh, @adiflover/Twitter; xfreehub.com; blog.daum.net/bi74472/9847

Dia’s Eunjin. Photo: @May06_09/Twitter

Former K-pop singer Lee Ji-yeon, who is now a chef. Photo: blog.daum.net/bi74472/9847

Former K-pop singer Lee So-eun. Photo: @sportskh/Twitter

Lee So-eun at her graduation. Photo: @soeunee23/Twitter

Former K-pop singer Ahn Mi-jeong became a tutor. Photo: culture77.tistory.com

Oh Byung-jin. Photo: @342436com/Twitter

10 most powerful Korean celebrities of 2021, revealed: K-pop superstars BTS and Blackpink, footballer Son Heung-min and comedian Yoo Jae-suk made Forbes’ prestigious list

BTS, Blackpink, Son Heung-min and more most powerful South Korean celebrities in the world. 
Photos: @bts.bighitofficial, @jennierubyjane, @hm_son7, @jaesukkie1408, @yoonjung_lemonade, @zerotak_mandarin9707/Instagram


K-pop group BTS became the first Asian group to win the American Music Award for artist of the year. Photo: @bts_bighit/Twitter

BTS performs during the 49th Annual American Music Awards at Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, California on November 21. Photo: Reuters

Blackpink members Rosé, Jisoo, Jennie and Lisa. Photo: @blackpinkofficial/Instagram

 Olympic gold medallist Ryu Hyun-jin. Photo:@hyunjinryu325/Instagram

Professional baseball pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin plays for the Toronto Blue Jays. Photo:@hyunjinryu325/Instagram

Football star Son Heung-min plays as a forward and winger for Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. Photo: @hm_son7/Instagram

Tottenham Hotspur’s South Korean striker Son Heung-min celebrates during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa on October 3. Photo: AFP

Trot singer Lim Young-woong won Mr. Trot in 2020. Photo: @im_hero_____/Instagram

 Major League Baseball star Kim Kwang-hyun. Photo: @cardinals/Instagram

South Korean comedian Yoo Jae-suk is known as the “nation’s MC”. Photo: @yoojaesuk0814/Instagram

Singer Young Tak came in at second place on Korean TV show Mr. Trot. Photo: @zerotak_mandarin9707/Instagram

Young Tak rose to stardom after singing Jjiniya. Photo: @goe_gimhae/Instagram

Jung Dong-won appeared on Mr. Trot. Photo: @dongwon_15/Instagram

South Korean trot singer Jung Dong-won. Photo: @dongwon_15/Instagram

Jang Yoon-jeong is a popular trot singer. Photo: @do.couple/Instagram

K-pop idols’ most epic wedding dresses, from Lee Hyori’s US$120 vintage shop find and Eugene of S.E.S.’ Monique Lhuillier gown, to Crayon Pop singer Soyul’s A-line design with 3D detailing

Photos: @sssssssoyul/Instagram, @Bada0228/Twitter, @wg_lim/Instagram

How K-pop stars dressed for their big day: Crayon Pop’s Soyul dazzled in an A-line wedding dress, S.E.S’ Eugene went all out in A-lister-approved Monique Lhuillier, while Wonder Girls’ Hyerim daringly customised her wedding shoes with bright pretty flowers. Photos: @sssssssoyul’ @wg_lim/Instagram; @Bada0228/Twitter

S.E.S.’ Eugene has similar bridal fashion taste to Angelina Jolie and Scarlett Johansson. Photo: @Bada0228/Twitter

Hyerim’s customised wedding shoes. Photo: @wg_lim/Instagram

Crayon Pop’s Soyul on her big day. Photo: @ssssssssoyul/Instagram

Wonder Girls leader Sunye married missionary James Park in 2013. Photo: JYP Entertainment

Sunye wore three designs by Lee Myung Soon Wedding Dress. Photo: @jypnation/Twitter

Bada of girl group S.E.S. (centre), joined by her bandmates on her wedding day. Photo: @bada0228/Instagram

7 of K-drama’s highest-paid stars in 2021 – earnings, ranked: from Now, We Are Breaking Up’s Song Hye-kyo, to One Ordinary Day star Kim Soo-hyun and Squid Game’s Lee Jung-jae

Lee Jung-jae, Song Hye-kyo, Kim Soo-hyun, Jun Ji-hyun and Lee Young-ae are among this year’s top-paid K-drama actors. Photos: Gucci; @kyo1122, @soohyun_k216, @thehistoryofwhoo_official/Instagram; Alexander McQueen

Kim Soo-hyun earned about US$423,000 per episode for his latest drama One Ordinary Day. Photo: @soohyun_k216/Instagram

South Korean actor Song Joong-ki arrives to attend the Blue Dragon Awards in Seoul, South Korea, on November 26. Photo: AP 

Fendi brand ambassador Song Hye-kyo earned about US$170,000 per episode for Now, We Are Breaking Up. Photo: @kyo1122/Instagram

Jun Ji-hyun is among highest-paid actresses in South Korea, raking in US$170,000 per episode for Jirisan. Photo: @junjihyun_81/Instagram

Actor Lee Jung-jae attends a special event for the television series Squid Game in Los Angeles, California, on November 8. Photo: Reuters 

Actress Lee Young-ae stars in Netflix’s Inspector Koo. Photo: @thehistoryofwhoo_official/Instagram

Go Hyun-jung earned about US$1.4 million for starring in Reflection of You. Photo: @iokcompany/Instagram

The 10 top breakout K-drama actresses of 2021, from Jung Ho-yeon of Netflix’s Squid Game – of course – to My Name and Nevertheless’ Han So-hee and Vincenzo’s Jeon Yeo-bin

Jeon Yeo-bin, Jung Ho-yeon and Han So-hee are just a few of this year’s breakout K-drama actresses. Photos: @jeon.yeobeen, @xeesoxee, @j.estinabag_official/Instagram; AFP,

Jung Ho-yeon rose to fame overnight from her first ever acting gig. Photo: @hoooooyeony/Instagram

Jung Ho-yeon in Squid Game. Photo: Netflix

Han So-hee rose to stardom thanks to Nevertheless and My Name. Photo: @xeesoxee/Instagram

Han So-hee in a still from My Name. Photo: Handout

Jeon Yeo-bin starred in the hit drama Vincenzo. Photo: @jeon.yeobeen/Instagram

Jeon Yeo-bin in Vincenzo. Photo: TVN

Han Ji-hyun started off as a model. Photo: @hanjiji54/Instagram

Han Ji-hyun in The Penthouse. Photo: @hanjiji54/Instagram

Shin Hye-sun starred in Mr. Queen. Photo: @shinhs831/Instagram

Shin Hye-sun in Mr. Queen. Photo: TVN

Go Min-si has starred in a number of popular K-dramas. Photo: @gomisi/Instagram

Choi Sung-eun started out as a theatre actress. Photo: @acefactory.official/Instagram

Park Ju-hyun debuted in 2019. Photo: @charmgirl_1005/Instagram

Lee Ho-jung stole the scene of Nevertheless. Photo: @holly608/Instagram

Lee Ho-jung in Nevertheless. Photo: @holly608/Instagram

Yoon Seo-ah impressed the audience with her performance in Nevertheless. Photo: @yoonseoah_/Instagram

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Former Wanna One member Daniel Kang said he was nervous dancing with Fiestar’s Cao Lu on the show Her Secret Weapon, while Monsta X member Shownu once performed with Lee Hyori
Hyoyeon just joined supergroup GOT the Beat and once formed the dance duo Little Winners with former Miss A member Min, while Daniel Kang hosts dance show Street Woman Fighter



K-pop superstars like BTS’ Jungkook, Daniel Kang and solo diva Chungha all got their start as backup dancers before they stepped out of the shadows and into the spotlight themselves
