Chu Yu-chan's emotional debut story: the moment he almost quit

Chu Yu-chan, who completed the full trainee process at Starship Entertainment, has opened up about his turbulent journey toward his debut. Having navigated every stage from trainee to idol, Chu candidly revealed his past loneliness and the intense psychological pressure he faced ahead of his debut in a recently released video.

The decision to quit: facing 50 competitors and a destiny shaped by parents

Chu recalled the high-stakes atmosphere during the '2025 New Kids on the Starship' audition. Believing he would join the debut lineup immediately upon passing, he faced a massive crisis when he discovered he was actually competing against 50 other candidates. Witnessing the overwhelming skill level of the other participants, he even told his parents on his subway ride home that he wanted to quit.

However, his parents' encouragement changed everything. Chu confessed he was able to persevere thanks to his mother, who suggested, "Since you've already made it this far, let's just treat it as an experience and keep going." He added that when his name was finally called for the debut, the years spent since his trainee days flashed before his eyes in a panorama of emotion.

'Lone wolf' Kim Min-jae and 'Baby-Ban' Jeong Se-min: memories of divergent paths

During a conversation with fellow participant Kim Min-jae, the pair reflected on their relationships during their trainee days. Kim recalled the once-taciturn Chu as a "lone wolf," explaining that there was such a distance between them that Chu would often walk back to the company alone during meal times. Chu admitted he was naturally quiet and had maintained a certain distance from everyone back then.

The connection with member Jeong Se-min also provided an interesting look into their history. Jeong, who was part of the 'Baby-Ban' era, was called at the last minute to participate in 'Debut's Plan,' and Chu spent his first commute home after re-joining the company with Jeong. By sharing the memory of Jeong telling him, "Hyung, you're tall," they highlighted their fateful narrative of coming together as one team through different paths.

Meanwhile, Kim revealed a touching story about a pencil case that Park Won-bin had kept for three years during their trainee days, showcasing the deep bond shared among the trainees. The fact that a colleague cherished a precious item for three years serves as a testament to the long period of endurance they all endured together.