Actor Lee Jong-hyuk Reveals Son Was a Starship Trainee: “He Gave It Up Because He Couldn’t Sleep”
Veteran actor Lee Jong-hyuk recently opened up about his son’s brief stint as a K-pop idol trainee, revealing for the first time that his son was once offered a position at Starship Entertainment but ultimately quit due to exhaustion.
In a video uploaded on June 10 to the YouTube channel XIUMIN’s Ramyeon Place, Lee reminisced about his sons and their unique paths.
While speaking with EXO’s Xiumin, the host of the show, Lee Jong-hyuk shared that his younger son Tak-soo was once scouted by Starship Entertainment due to his interest in learning broadcast dance.
“He used to want to learn K-pop dance, and Starship offered him a spot as a trainee,” Lee said. “But after school, he would go to training, then take the last subway home. He wasn’t getting any sleep and eventually decided to quit.”
Lee even linked the demanding lifestyle to his son’s physical growth, noting:
“He’s 181 cm tall, but I think he could have been taller. I believe it’s because he wasn’t sleeping enough during that time.”
His older son, Joon-soo, on the other hand, now stands at an impressive 194 cm, which Lee attributed to better sleep habits.
In a lighthearted moment, Lee reflected on the importance of sleep, even joking about his own school days:
“Back in high school, I was second in my class when it came to sleeping. The first place went to a friend who had rhinitis and was always dizzy—so he slept even more than I did!”
He went on to suggest that many child actors and young trainees may experience stunted growth due to long hours and lack of rest, a common issue in the entertainment industry.
Lee Jong-hyuk’s candid remarks shed light on the often-overlooked challenges faced by K-pop trainees, including grueling schedules and health implications. His son’s experience is a reminder of the tough choices young hopefuls must make between pursuing dreams and preserving their well-being.
