On April 2, 2025, India Times revealed that the much-anticipated boy group from BIGHIT MUSIC made their arrival at Incheon Airport, sparking nostalgia among fans who drew parallels between the newcomers and the debut eras of BTS and TXT. While the exact debut date and group name remain undisclosed, insiders confirm that James from Trainee A is part of this rookie ensemble.
BIGHIT MUSIC first introduced Trainee A in 2022, featuring seven aspiring idols: Leo, Yorch, Sangwon, Woochan, James, JJ, and Jihoon. Initially slated for a 2023 debut, their timeline faced unexpected delays.
Despite the excitement surrounding the new boy group’s announcement, additional details from BIGHIT MUSIC are still pending. However, fan speculation suggests that the lineup may include members Seji, Hajun, Juhoon, James, and Martin.
Photos of this potential rookie group have recently gone viral, with fans praising their polished looks, likening them to seasoned celebrities. Yet, this admiration inspired lighthearted comparisons to the awkward training days of BTS and TXT, as fans shared amusing snapshots from those early times.
In a November 2023 interview, Bang Si-hyuk shared insights about BTS’s humble beginnings, recalling how they debuted in 2013 amid financial struggles at what was then a bankrupt company, BigHit Entertainment (now known as HYBE). Their self-deprecating humor became a cherished joke within the fandom, particularly relating to their debut attire of eyeliner and budget clothing.
TXT’s early days echoed this sentiment, with their fashion choices also subjected to playful scrutiny, marking their entrance into the competitive world of K-pop.
Fans from both BTS and TXT delightfully refer to their groups’ debut looks as “loser”outfits—an affectionate term in the K-pop community for clumsy or quirky fashion choices. These playful jabs at their beloved idols foster a light-hearted sense of camaraderie among the fandoms.
By April 3, 2025, fan chatter exploded on social media, fueled by images of the new boy group’s airport appearance. One fan quipped:
“Where are the loser outfits?”
The humor continued as fans from BTS and TXT joked about the tradition of new group leaders possessing dimples, referencing BTS’s Namjoon and TXT’s Soobin:
“The leader better have dimples; we have traditions in this household,”a fan wrote.
“Three of them better have the same last name, and the leader better have dimples—THERE ARE RULES,”another fan joked.
“The leader better have dimples, yo; we have a tradition to uphold,”another fan added.
In continued jest, fans suggested that BIGHIT MUSIC should embrace the “traditions”of the debut process by providing the new members with “counterfeit clothes and eyeliner,”cherishing the quirky essence of K-pop beginnings:
“Give me counterfeit clothes, eyeliner, and a terrible color palette, or do nothing,”a fan joked.
“I need losers like this: cheap eyeliner, $3 chains, free trial editing apps, and outfits that look like they were first attempted in the kitchen,”another fan added.
“They don’t debut losers anymore; these guys look like celebrities,”another fan humorously remarked.
The Untold Story: Disbandment of BIGHIT’s Trainee A Before Their Debut
The formation of Trainee A captured public attention starting in early 2022. Consisting of Leo, Yorch, Sangwon, Woochan, James, JJ, and Jihoon, the group generated excitement through highly engaging content across platforms like YouTube and Instagram, showcasing their talents and daily lives, which helped create a dedicated fan base.
However, the group’s promising trajectory shifted dramatically in December 2021 after member Leo faced backlash for controversial lyrics in a self-written rap. The backlash prompted the swift removal of the associated video, along with apologies from both Leo and the Trainee A production team.
In August 2022, Leo announced his exit from Trainee A, citing mental health challenges and the pressures of being in the spotlight. In an emotional video message, he expressed his appreciation for his time with the group while explaining that the stress had become overwhelmingly difficult to manage.
The situation escalated in December 2022 when BIGHIT MUSIC decided to cease all social media activities for Trainee A. Yorch later confirmed the group’s disbandment through his own social accounts, thanking fans while announcing the project’s abrupt conclusion.
Despite the end of Trainee A, its former members have embarked on individual journeys within the industry:
- Leo: Joined 131 Label in July 2023, debuting solo with “One Look”in August 2023.
- Yorch: After leaving HYBE, he debuted with POW under GRID Entertainment, following a solo single.
- Sangwon: Active on SoundCloud, indicating aspirations of a solo career.
- Woochan: Maintains a presence on Instagram with no publicly announced plans yet.
- Jihoon: Made his debut in 2024 with the boy group TWS under Pledis Entertainment, a HYBE subsidiary.
- JJ: Became a trainee at SM Entertainment in 2024.
- James: Currently believed to be with HYBE, recently serving as a backup dancer for Jungkook from BTS.
Looking ahead, BTS members are preparing for their military discharges in June 2025, signaling a return to the entertainment scene, while TXT is currently on their ACT: PROMISE -EP.2 2025 World Tour.