🕒 1. The Clock That Never Stops (Health & Burnout)
In the world of a trainee, 24 hours is never enough. The "Standard Trainee Schedule" is a myth because there is no "off" switch.
- The 5:00 AM Start: Many trainees balance regular school with training. This means waking up before dawn to fit in a vocal lesson or a gym session before the first bell rings.
- The "Endless Loop" Practice: It isn’t just about learning a dance; it’s about muscle memory so deep that you can perform it while fainting. It is common to practice a single 10-second transition for 6 hours straight.
- The Sleep Debt: Most trainees average 4–5 hours of sleep. The "itching point" here is the constant mental fog where you begin to question if your body will hold up until evaluations.
🥗 2. The Weight of Expectations (The Health & Value Conflict)
Perhaps the most "itching" point for any trainee is the relationship with their own body. In the industry, your body is not just yours; it is a product.
- The Paper Cup Diet: We’ve heard the stories, but the reality is a psychological battle. Trainees often face weekly "weigh-ins" where even a 0.5kg gain can lead to a harsh lecture or being cut from the debut lineup.
- The Identity Blur: When you are told how to dress, how to speak, and what to eat, you start to lose the "Why" of who you are. This creates a massive cognitive conflict: Am I becoming a star, or am I becoming a doll?
💸 3. The "Trainee Debt" Shadow (Wealth & Risk)
For parents and older trainees, the financial pressure is the silent killer.
Most people don’t realize that training isn't free. Companies invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in vocal coaches, housing, and food.
The Harsh Truth: If you don't debut, or if you break your contract, that "investment" can turn into a massive debt. This creates a "comparison anxiety" where trainees from "Big 4" agencies (who often waive debt) are viewed with envy by those in smaller, "nugu" companies.
💔 4. The Isolation of the Practice Room (Relationship Conflict)
To be a trainee is to be a ghost in your own life.
- No "Normal" Friends: Your friends are your rivals. The person stretching next to you is the person you are competing with for a spot in a 5-member group.
- The Family Gap: Many trainees haven't seen their parents in months. They miss birthdays, graduations, and holidays. The "Did I Know" moment often hits during a late-night practice when you realize you don't know what's happening in your best friend's life anymore.
