From K-Pop Agency Rejections to Audition Failures: Rising Actor Shares His Challenging Career Journey
Wi Ha Joon opened up about his tough early days and the pressure to support his family.
The actor appeared on Jung Jae Hyung’s YouTube channel on the 22nd. He talked about growing up in Wando, South Jeolla Province, where money was tight.
“I had a strong desire to earn money quickly and support my family,” Wi said.
His parents worked in aquaculture, struggling financially, which pushed him hard to succeed.
“My parents worked in the aquaculture industry, and I often saw them struggling financially. That made me want to succeed even more,” he shared.
Wi Ha Joon moved to Seoul with no clear plan but a dream to become an entertainer. At first, he tried to make it as an idol.
He auditioned for big-name agencies like SM Entertainment and JYP Entertainment.
“I danced with determination during the rhythm test,” he said.
He didn’t pass. But Wi took it in stride.
“I took it more calmly than I expected and started thinking about other paths,” he explained.
After that, he switched to acting. Wi admitted it was rough at first.
“When I started acting, I realized I was really bad at it,” he said, “But that just made me more determined to improve.”
Correcting his dialect was a big challenge.
“I couldn’t even speak standard Korean properly at that time,” he recalled, “I had to start from the basics again.”
Even after signing with an agency, auditions kept failing.
“The hardest part was after I joined the company,” Wi said, “I kept auditioning and kept failing.”
He felt the pressure as a male rookie getting attention but not meeting expectations.
“As a male rookie, I got a lot of attention, but every time I didn’t meet expectations, it was even harder,” he shared. “Each rejection made me feel more sorry. That period was the toughest time to endure.”
Wi Ha Joon is now starring in tvN’s drama Siren as insurance investigator Cha Woo Seok.
He said the role shows a new side of him.
“This role combines charisma and sensitivity,” Wi added. “I think I can show a different side of myself than before.”