[SBS Star] "Being K-Pop Trainee Wrecked My Self-Esteem" Lee Sian Talks About Struggles of Trainee Life

Lee Sian from Netflix's dating show "Single's Inferno 4" opened up about her tough days as a K-pop trainee.

On February 28, a video featuring Lee Sian and NATTY of K-pop girl group KISS OF LIFE was uploaded to the YouTube channel "Natty House."

Lee Sian and NATTY first met as contestants on Mnet's survival audition show "Idol School" in 2017, and they talked about that during their conversation. 

Lee Sian admitted, "When I first watched 'Natty House,' I couldn't believe you were the host. A few years ago, you could barely talk to yourself for more than 30 seconds, so I was shocked to see you MC-ing—but you were actually good at it. That's why I decided to came on today. I'm counting on you." 

When the production crew asked about NATTY first impression of Lee Sian on "Idol School," she said, "I just thought she was really pretty." 

To this, Lee Sian laughed and said, "You know, I weighed 63kg back then!" then added, "You were 16 at the time, and I was 19. I can't believe we've known each other for eight years." 

After that, the two talked about how they became close: "We shared a room during 'Idol School,' just the two of us, and our personalities just clicked. One time, we turned on the lights to deep clean, and everyone was shocked because we had stuff piled up everywhere since we had no space for it. But we keep things neat now."
Looking back on her hard times as a trainee, Lee Sian said, "Dieting was definitely the hardest for me. My company's CEO told me that if I weighed over 60kg, I wouldn't be allowed to perform at 'MAMA.' So I starved myself for a week. I felt so dizzy and weak. Remember, NATTY? I was so out of it that you helped me put on my pants and even pushed me up hills." 

NATTY responded, "Yeah, being a trainee wasn't easy. Being one for so long just wore me out, and the uncertainty about the future was really tough. Looking back now, I don't even know how I made it through." 

Lee Sian also shared why she decided to switch to modeling. "I like being in front of the camera. I was a K-pop trainee until I was 24, but at some point, I couldn't keep relying on my mom's credit card—I needed to support myself. And in the K-pop industry, 24 is considered old to debut. If I hadn't worked hard, maybe I'd have regrets, but I gave it my all. When things didn't work out, I decided to switch to modeling instead."

She added, "Luckily, it turned out to be a great fit for me, and I still find it exciting. Being a trainee really wrecked my self-esteem, but modeling helped me build my confidence again. It made me realize, 'I'm actually capable of something.'"
 
(Credit= '띠집' YouTube, Mnet Idol School) 

(SBS Star)