While everything is done quietly and trainees will not show their faces or appear in performances, there are still some exceptions. Sometimes trainees will act as backup dancers for artists who have debuted, and often for seniors in the same company if they are really noticed for their professional dancing sкιℓℓs.
Many idols have supported BTS as backup dancers before officially appearing in public such as Stray Kids' Lee Know, Rayoon - MVP, Yonghyun - Boys 24, Kain - ARGON...
Among them, James - a former member of Trainee A, famous for his role as backup dancer for Jungkook after this trainee group disbanded, received a lot of public attention. Especially when he recently appeared in photos said to be of HYBE trainees in the US that spread on SNS.
Many sources speculate that the new faces appearing in these photos are members of the upcoming "BTS junior group". Looking at the cameras and the care of the staff in the photos shows that they are participating in the filming process for a project.
Although the trainees look busy, they still shine with their outstanding appearance and professional demeanor. The frames revealing the trainees filming have made netizens constantly discuss and ask questions about the group's concept, music style, and official lineup.
In particular, fans feel excited and happy that James has a second chance to debut under BIGHIT MUSIC. Those who have followed James' trainee process know how talented he is.
James was originally one of the 7 elite trainees of the Trainee A project - Big Hit's multinational boy group project, and had a huge number of followers on social media before debuting. However, the group received mixed reviews when they busked overseas, and key member Leo left the group due to controversy over misogynistic lyrics.
By 2022, Trainee A was no longer listed on HYBE's schedule for the following year. After that, all of the group's social media accounts were announced to be suspended indefinitely.
But in the two years since the project was canceled, James has continued to practice diligently despite only having the opportunity to be a backup dancer in a few Jungkook's performances on Inkigayo, SUGA's concert... Now, he is facing the opportunity to officially appear on stage as an idol.
Netizens expressed their eager anticipation:
- Can't wait to see james and jungkook reuniting !!
- I'm so proud of him! This is huge experience! I just keep thinking of Lee Know from Stray Kids! He started as a back up dancer for BTS!
- Got a feeling he will debut under any hybe subsidiary this year
- I wish one day they could show us the reason why they pick James to be one of Jungkook dancer for his last seven performance when the other dancers are bigнιт’s performance directors..
- James will debut! I believe that so when he debut hope we can hear behind stories of this
- James debut is coming yall. He's so talented
- My lovely boy, his visual is stunning even in a low-quality photo
Meanwhile, HYBE is a giant entertainment corporation that owns many subsidiaries and famous groups, but currently only has three artists under Big Hit Music: BTS, TXT, and solo singer Lee Hyun. So the news that Big Hit Music will debut a new group in 2025 has stirred up the Kpop music industry.
