BREAKING: Companies Embarking On Vagabond Tour Announce Trainee Programs
Earlier this morning, 360 updated on Heart2Heart and their role in the big tour coming up, and while questions were answered, more questions were raised regarding trainees that aren’t Angel or Harley, as well as trainees from other companies, and their roles in the Vagabond Festival.
It didn’t take very long at all for those questions to be answered, however. Shortly after 360 staff members addressed the media regarding Heart2Heart, officials from all six companies participating in the tour held a press conference to address concerns about trainees. They started off by explaining that the trainees would be able to use it as a learning experience; watching their sunbaes and the crew so closely would surely teach them much. Trainees proficient in dancing would act as back-up dancers for the performs, and the others would act as interns, helping keep the festival running smoothly.
That wasn’t the end of it, however. One by one, the six companies announced Advanced Trainee Programs that they would be launching for the tour and continuing after their return to South Korea. “We’re using it as an opportunity to give the trainees so performance time, as well as promote them pre-debut,” a representative of Spotlight Productions said. “Idol Project has exposed the public to a lot of hidden talent that all of our companies possess, and while we can’t currently debut all trainees we have that are ready, we feel as though this is a very good alternative until debut plans can be made.”
“All six groups will get stage time on tour,” an Alpha official explained. “We will be opening Vlive channels and Instagram accounts for the programs, so fans can regularly be updated on their favorites, and so that the trainees can interact with their followers. We feel like it will curate a very intimate relationship with their fans, and strengthen future fandoms when they debut.”
“Once we touch back down in Seoul, there will also be opportunity for trainee group releases,” a DS PR manager added. “Just because we don’t have the resources to debut them all doesn’t mean we want them to sit idly by. It wouldn’t be fair to them, their fans, or us as a company-- much revenue can be found in investing in our trainees.”
“The teams are 90% finished being assembled,” a Radioactive staff member explained. “While for the most part, we know which trainees are ready, there are a few open spots left up for grabs. Over the next few days, the remaining trainees will be working hard to earn one of those spots.”
While not all trainees will be included in the programs, all representatives assured media that all trainees would be brought along-- those who aren’t picked for the programs will just not get to be part of the social media aspect, or perform during their special time slots. 360 also added that Heart2Heart will not be taking part in the Advanced Program. “They’re already a group,” Dispatch was told. “While they may not have debuted, they will. They’re already a team and we intend to promote them as such.”
