kpop1-4, Exercise 1: From audition to debut

Model answer:

1. Audition: through agency auditions, online auditions or street casting; hundreds of candidates a day attend the global auditions.
2. Training: months to years, with vocal, dance and language classes, living with other trainees (some still at school).
3. Regulation: personal life, physical condition and appearance are regulated; trainees must keep a "wholesome image" and stay "private about their lives and thoughts".
4. Debut: the company gives each member a character to play, kept consistent partly through company-managed social media.

Origin: the Korean idol article says the trainee model came from the Japanese idol industry founded by Johnny Kitagawa, and credits Lee Soo-man of SM Entertainment with popularising it in Korea.

Sources: Wikipedia, K-pop; Korean idol.