TXT Soobin Reveals Harsh Physical Punishment During Trainee Days At BIGHIT, ‘We Were Just 8th And 10th Graders’

The recent revelation by Soobin of TXT was an eye-opener for the fans. To many, Soobin’s statement exposed the dark side of the K-pop business. On the Weverse livestream Soobin shared that he and his bandmate Taehyun were punished physically for a mistake in their dancing, which led to fury and arguments everywhere.

Soobin’s Revelations of Trainee Life

In a livestream of August 16, 2025, Soobin shared his detailed early days as a middle schooler at Big Hit Entertainment (now HYBE). He and Taehyun were struggling to learn very difficult new choreography for a SEVENTEEN performance without proper guidance.

“We were just 8th and 10th graders, barely able to stretch our arms,” shared Soobin. Taehyun went on the stream to confirm live and said that they were “hit” for below-average performances, which Soobin said was a common practice for trainees with less skills. This enraged the fans, with one X user saying, “Hitting kids away from their families is a level of evil that makes my blood boil.”

Fan Outrage and Industry Criticism

The revelation started a big uproar online, with fans condemning BIGHIT MUSIC for its past practices. Posts on X highlighted the ages of Soobin (14) and Taehyun (13) at the time of the incidents, further escalating calls for accountability.

“This is heartbreaking,” said one fan, while others voiced NewJeans allegations of wrongful treatment by HYBE, attaching Soobin’s tale to the ongoing debate about systematics of K-pop training. Some BIGHIT defenders pointed out that the practices ceased with Soobin noting how “They’d get in huge trouble if they hit anyone now.”

A Changed Landscape for Trainees

Soobin and Taehyun have assured that physical punishments will never happen at BIGHIT MUSIC in accordance with present standards obviating what was actually condoned in the past. The livestream, with 3.1 million viewers, showcased Soobin’s brave discussion of past abuses, earning him praise for instigating due dialogue.

Fans wish for more reforms to be sought from his confession to protect future K-pop trainees. While discussions continue, Soobin’s story reflects the spirit of TXT and the need for the industry’s transparency.

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