Journey K-popwith Dave Yoon

I trained inside a K-pop agency. Now I help families see the path clearly.

Straight answers on auditions, contracts and trainee life, for teens chasing K-pop and the parents keeping them safe.

See how I can help Or ask me a question
Clips from Dave's first audition for The Great Birth: singing, the judges reacting, and celebrating after passing
Take 01: my first audition, The Great Birth, 2010Footage: MBC

Two ways I can help

1Vocal audition review

I trained under agency vocal evaluations. I know what trainers listen for when you sing, and what makes them stop the tape. Send me a recording and I'll show you exactly where you stand and what to work on next.

What you get

  1. A 15 to 20 minute video walkthrough of your tape
  2. A scored rubric, with one fix for each area
  3. The single most important change to make first
  4. One re-review of your revised tape

For auditions or for steady progress. Focused on your voice and performance. Reviews go to a parent for anyone under 18. A review is a second opinion; it cannot get anyone an audition or a contract.

Request an early spot

Opening soon, with a founding price for the first 20 reviews.

Sample scorecardPractice tape, ballad, key of E
  • Pitch accuracy
  • Breath and tone at tempo
  • Upper range control
  • Diction and Korean pronunciation
  • Rhythm and groove
  • Song and key fit
  • On-camera presence

First fix: drop the key a whole step so the chorus sits in your strong range, then rebuild the bridge breath by breath.

2Family briefing

Nobody walked my family through what training actually asks of you. A live video call for a parent and teen, where I lay out the real expectations and the pitfalls I saw firsthand, many of which have not changed and some that have gotten worse.

The goal is simple: you leave able to make the best decision for your child, whatever that decision is.

Request a briefing

Opening soon. General guidance from experience, not legal or immigration advice. I will tell you when you need a lawyer.

What we coverAbout 60 minutes, plus a written summary
  1. A trainee's week. Lessons, practice hours, evaluations, school and rest.
  2. A day in the life. What a typical day looks like, hour by hour.
  3. What is expected of you. Skills, language, discipline and how progress is judged.
  4. The pitfalls. What I saw go wrong, and what to watch for now.
  5. Contracts and money. The questions to ask, and when to bring in a lawyer.
  6. Your decision. An honest read on fit, and the other paths into music.

My story

I grew up singing in New Jersey. In 2010, my freshman year of college, I flew to Seoul for MBC's The Great Birth, reached the top 20 on Shin Seung-hoon's team, and signed with Cube Entertainment as a vocal trainee.

Inside, I learned how agencies train and judge vocalists: the drills, the monthly evaluations, the contracts, the pressure. I was slated as lead vocalist in the pre-debut lineup for the group that became BtoB. In 2011 I chose to leave and return to my master's program.

Back home I kept performing. I won Kollaboration DC IV, opened for Dynamic Duo, sang the national anthem for President Obama, and emceed for Block B and GOT7. I also built a career in tech and became a dad.

Now I share what I know, so families can decide with clear eyes, whatever they choose.

Dave singing the national anthem with a military color guard
The national anthem for President Obama, 2013
Dave busking with an acoustic guitar on a street in Hongdae, Seoul
Busking in Hongdae, Seoul
Dave on stage with his arm raised at Kollaboration DC
Kollaboration DC IV, 2013

The record

Anyone can claim they were a trainee. Check the sources yourself.

위대한 탄생: 윤건희Watch my first audition on The Great BirthMBC, December 2010. Opens on YouTube.
  1. 2008New Jersey All-State and All-Eastern choirsNJ.com, All-State ensembles
  2. 2010MBC The Great Birth, Top 20, on Shin Seung-hoon's teamFirst audition video, eToday article (Korean)
  3. 2011Signed to Cube Entertainment as a vocal traineeChungcheong Today (Korean), Newsen (Korean)
  4. 2011Left Cube to return to my master's program
  5. 2012 to 2015MC for K-pop events in the US, including Block B and GOT7Photos below
  6. 2013Won first place at Kollaboration DC IV, September 28, 2013hellokpop, Patch event listing
  7. 2013Represented DC at the Kollaboration Star finals in Los Angeleshellokpop
  8. 2013Sang the national anthem for President ObamaPhoto in My story

Along the way

Personal photos with artists I emceed for or performed with. They do not endorse this site.

Dave backstage with GOT7 in a hallway lined with concert posters
Backstage with GOT7, as MC for their US tour stops in San Diego and Texas
Selfie of Dave with Zico
With Zico, as MC for Block B's US tour stop in Washington, DC
Dave with Dynamic Duo backstage
With Dynamic Duo, after opening for them
Dave with L.A. Reid
With L.A. Reid

What I will never do

Too many people sell this dream. These are my rules.

  • Charge for an audition, a meeting or any kind of access.
  • Promise an audition, a contract or a debut. Nobody honest can.
  • Message a minor privately. A parent is always included.

Ask me anything, or claim a spot

Auditions, training, contracts, leaving, life after. Send your question and I may answer it in a video. Parents welcome.

I never share your email. Questions may be answered publicly without your name.

Ask a question or claim a spot