Where Are '17TV' Trainees Now? Four Original Members in SEVENTEEN Pre-Debut Lineup
Many have always wondered why SEVENTEEN is named that way despite having only 13 members in the group. While SEVENTEEN reasons that it's because they have 13 members, three units, and one team, which adds up to 17, that isn't wasn't originally the case.
Prior to making their debut, SEVENTEEN did in fact have 17 members as seen on their pre-debut show "17TV." However, four of the trainees originally part of SEVENTEEN's lineup eventually left Pledis Entertainment. Now that the group has been active for seven years, where are the four trainees now?
1. Yao Mingming
Yao Mingming
Yao Mingming was born in 1997 and traveled from China to join Pledis Entertainment as a trainee from 2012 to 2014. Known for his great dance skills, Yao Mingming would have been part of SEVENTEEN's dance line if he had debuted with the group. While it is not confirmed why he left the label and returned to China, there were rumors of Pledis Entertainment possibly mistreating Yao Mingming.
He later participated in the 2017 JTBC and YG Entertainment survival program "MIXNINE," where he placed 10th and didn't make the debut lineup. In 2018, Yao Mingming was confirmed to be the seventh member of Korean-Chinese group BLK. However, he never officially made his debut as BLK disbanded a few months after.
Yao Mingming
In 2019, he joined the Chinese idol survival show "Idol Producer," in which he was heavily praised for his dance skills. In fact, he was able to meet SEVENTEEN member The8 for the first time through the show, although the two never met as trainees.
After competing on "Idol Producer" and ranking third in the finale, Yao Mingming made his debut in the project group UNINE, and promoted with the group from May 2019 to November 2020.
2. Jang Doyoon
Jang Doyoon
Born in 1995, Jang Doyoon was initially the oldest member of SEVENTEEN, and potentially the leader. But prior to training with SEVENTEEN, Jang Doyoon was set to be part of the group TEMPEST, however, he didn't make his debut the group.
After training under Pledis Entertainment and before SEVENTEEN debuted, Jang Doyoon decided to leave to pursue an acting career in 2014. In fact, he has expressed he doesn't regret leaving as acting was his passion to begin with.
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Jang Doyoon
However, in 2017, he auditioned for "MIXNINE," but didn't make it. Since then, Jang Doyoon has appeared on several dramas such as "All About My Mom ," "The Promise," "Hiya," and "A Bird That Doesn't Sing," among others.
3. Samuel Kim
Samuel Kim
Samuel Kim is arguably the most well-known trainee originally part of SEVENTEEN's debut lineup. Born in 2002, Samuel Kim was the youngest member from when he was a Pledis Entertainment trainee from 2012 to 2013. However, he left the label as his mom deemed him too young to an idol, only being 11 years old at the time.
In 2015, he joined Brave Entertainment and debuted in the hip hop duo 1Punch. But after a year of promoting, 1Punch disbanded. Although he debuted as a solo artist in 2016, under the stage name Punch.
Samuel Kim
In 2017, he competed on "Produce 101 Season 2" and was a top contender to make it in the debut lineup. However, he unexpectedly ranked 18th place in the finale, failing to debut in the project group Wanna One.
Though in the same year, Samuel Kim made his solo debut, and later he began pursuing an acting career. More recently, Samuel Kim won his lawsuit against Brave Entertainment to terminate his contract.
4. Shin Dongjin
Shin Dongjin
Shin Dongjin was the second youngest member during SEVENTEEN's pre-debut days, having been born in 2000. He trained under Pledis Entertainment from 2013 to 2014, leaving the label to focus on his education. However, rumors have it that he was kicked out for dating a fan.
Some have also said that he is a trainee under ATEEZ's label, KQ Entertainment. Unfortunately, not much is known about Shin Dongjin's current activities, and it is highly likely that he is living a normal life outside of the entertainment industry.
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Written by Robyn Joan
