Popular Fifth-Gen Idol Confesses He Almost Didn’t Make It Into SM

Fans could not imagine K-Pop without him.

Recently, RIIZE’s Sohee appeared as a guest on Lee Mujin‘s YouTube Series, Lee Mujin Service.

In the episode, he shared a story he had never revealed before.

I’ve talked about this several times on live broadcasts and programs, but there is something that I haven’t revealed before.

— Sohee

the story behind sohee coming back as a SM’s trainee!

sohee actually left SM when he was 18 and started preparing for his college entrance exams. when he turned 20, he took the exam, but things didn’t go as planned. after finishing the exam, he met SM casting team, then theyre… pic.twitter.com/eA1ZwW0sSB

— ່ (@sohichaan) June 16, 2026

He shared the story of how actually joined SM Entertainment.

“I joined SM when I was 18, then left the agency, and prepared for my college entrance exams after leaving. When I turned 20, I started taking the college entrance exams at several universities, but things didn’t really go as planned. I got way more nervous than I expected, and there were so many people who were really good.

In the midst of things not going well, on my way out of taking an exam, I met the SM casting team, and they asked if I would consider coming back. They remembered me. But given my poor college exam prep situation…at that time, my family told me to go for it and practice, so I went back.”

— Sohee

Hearing this, fans were grateful he returned and shared his talent with the world.

i will never not stop thanking sohee for coming back 🧡 https://t.co/AVvOGvRRkk

— ann252 (@ddoriii252) June 16, 2026

couldnt imagine if we didnt know him and his talents https://t.co/q1SDB6Q5Bl

— ishanz (@yutanisme) June 16, 2026

Meanwhile, check out the full episode below.