One side of the classroom on the second floor of the 'SM Universe (SMU)' academy in Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul was made of mirrors. On the 28th of last month, 10 male and female students aged 16 were practicing walking according to the instructor's instructions. The students slowly stepped onto the smooth floor illuminated by multiple pin lights. They have been attending this academy since last March, dreaming of becoming top models on the runway of a global fashion show. After the walking class, a 'speech' lecture follows. This is because speaking skills are essential to becoming a 'K-star'.
K-Star 'private education' SMU... The competition rate for freshmen this year is 2.5 to 1
SMU is the first academy established by SM Entertainment in Daechi-dong, 'Private Education No. 1'. The curriculum was created with Jongno Academy, an entrance exam academy, and Esteem, a model and actor management company. The goal is to nurture global 'K-stars' majoring in vocal, dance, producing, modeling and acting. The three-year program plans to select 120 students each year, including 36 Koreans and 84 foreigners.
If you pass SMU, you must drop out of school. It is legally an academy, but in reality it is run like a school. Classes are held 5 days a week from 9am to 6pm. Students can apply from the 3rd year of middle school to the 2nd year of high school. However, since middle school is compulsory education in Korea, the dropout process for middle school students is complicated. Perhaps because of this, most of the first generation students were 16 years old, equivalent to the first year of high school. The competition rate for admission in the first application was 2.5 to 1. Foreign students plan to be selected as soon as the 'Korean Wave Visa' for students who want to learn K-culture is made. The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism are preparing.
3 hours a day of 'Gukyeongsoo' is required... “It’s good not to waste time”
At SMU, study 'Kook Young-soo' is a must. Although it is an academy that cannot be recognized for its academic background, it aims to pass the high school qualification exam. students take Korean, English, math, and history classes for three hours every morning. Jongno Academy Gangnam Daechi branch instructors come and conduct classes. There are also English vocabulary tests and level tests such as midterm and final exams. In the 'SMU English' class, students learn English through interviews with global stars and SNS posts. It is a kind of 'practical English'.
There is a GED, but dropping out is not an easy choice for students and parents. However, the students unanimously said that they chose SMU because 'time was a waste'. One student said, “When I was in a regular school, I was always bored and just slept in school. It was the first time I came here to find out if I was the kind of person who could stay awake in class,” she said. Another student said, "I couldn't adapt to regular school and spent time thinking about the future, but I don't have to waste time here."
SM Entertainment has been preparing to establish an educational institution to nurture K-stars even before COVID-19. At first, they prepared to establish a school like an alternative school, but the procedure was complicated, so they turned to private academies. It is a three-year course, but like other academies, you can drop out at any time in the middle. Principal Hong Jong-hwa, who is in charge of SMU, said, "I put the GED program into the curriculum because I thought that even if there were students who quit midway, they should take responsibility for the minimum academic ability."
In fact, there are not a few cases in which idol trainees drop out of school because they are unable to study at the same time. SMU plans to connect students who want to go to college with preparation for the college entrance exam after the GED. For foreign students, the plan is to prepare for the US GED or SAT.
Afternoon 'major time'... Customized training for dance and composition
From lunchtime, the actual major classes begin. After morning classes, they eat lunch at the cafeteria on the first basement floor, and there is an InBody machine on one side that can measure body fat. This is because weight control is also important to become a K-star.
From 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm, practice and advanced classes for each major are held. Even on the day the reporter visited, students majoring in dance were repeating basic steps, and students in vocal and producing were composing code on a computer. In addition to practical training, there are also theoretical classes such as art history and music history. From 6:00 p.m., it is time for 'night self-study'. Individuals can practice individually until 9:00 PM.
Not a trainee, just an 'academy student'... Criticism of 'dream business'
It was created by SM, but SM trainees and debut are not guaranteed. Joining another agency also has no disadvantages or advantages. He dreams of becoming a K-star, but he is still just a 'academy student'. This is also the most emphasized part of SMU. Principal Hong said, “I told the students, ‘You haven’t achieved anything yet. He said, “This is just the beginning.”
There are also criticisms and concerns. The academy fee is 2.2 million to 2.6 million won per month, which is similar to Gangnam comprehensive academy. However, compared to other practical music academies, even if the class time is longer, it may feel expensive. An official from a practical music academy in Seoul said, "Some say that he is using his status as SM to run a business with children's dreams and hopes."
There are also concerns that children miss out on what they can learn at school. This is because the opportunity cost of choosing to drop out can be too high. A high school teacher in Seoul expressed concern, saying, "If the number of institutions without proper educational programs increases, the students will have to bear the brunt of the damage."
Along with the popularity of K-culture, the number of aspiring idols, actors, and models continues to increase. Other entertainment companies are also moving to operate educational institutions similar to SMU. Principal Hong Jong-hwa said, “It is not a place where students who are not trainees but have no potential are forced to receive education.”
Comments:
1. Seeing things like this, I think it's great to be cast on the street by a large agency. It seems that being street casted by a large agency and debuting is the best thing.
2. But that kind of academy has existed for quite a long time. It was rare at that time, but there were friends who went to the academy after taking a leave of absence or dropping out of high school.
3. Right now, school is all about studying because you can't see your dreams... If you have money, you look good, but you can't because you don't have money.
4. It looks better because there is an alternative to having students drop out unconditionally like BoA, but if possible, let them receive regular education. There are quite a few emotional differences between those who enjoy their peer culture and those who don’t.
5. It might be a good alternative for a friend who only sleeps at school every day and goes back and forth without a dream.
6. It was originally a commercial education system for aspiring foreign idols. At that time, it was over 10 million won per month, but it has become much cheaper.
7. I don't think it's bad if the dream is firm. Rather, it would be better for people with dreams to learn what they want to learn rather than spending time at school...
8. There are a lot of kids who drop out of high school to become trainees anyway, but I think it was founded for those kids . It's a bit of a waste of time
9. High school itself may be a good memory for them, but I saw a lot of friends who dropped out because they got tired of the competitive atmosphere because it was the college entrance exam.
10. I'm also a dropout, but I have no regrets, just!!!!! Dropping out too early can be a pity, so I hope you make a lot of memories when you go to school.
11. Problems with academies trying to play the role of alternative schools
12. If I have a lot of money and my children want to work in the entertainment industry, I would send them.
13. If you have a clear dream, this looks better than going to school in a daze without a dream or anything.
14. Why on earth do you shield an unverified academy like that to replace high school?
15. I don't know what will happen, I talked about wanting to drop out, but there are more people who are prejudiced about this than I thought, so I think it's good that they came out of school. but I think the risk is too big for 16-18 to make decisions and handle
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