SMROOKIES

SMROOKIES were a pre-debut training team created by South Korean entertainment agency SM Entertainment in 2013. It comprised young trainees who have yet to debut in an idol group.^[1] On the course of its program, the team has produced and promoted idol groups such as Red Velvet and NCT.

All seven members of WayV were originally part of SM Rookies, a pre-debut training team maintained by SM Entertainment. For purposes of this Wiki, only activity related to the members of WayV will be discussed on this page.

History

2013-2014: Introduction of Ten

SM Entertainment formally announced the formation of SM Rookies on December 3, 2013.

On December 23, 2013, Ten was introduced along with Johnny and Yuta. On September 16, 2014, the sixth video of Rookie Station was released, featuring the three members plus Jaehyun.

2015: Introduction of Kun

On March 6, 2015, a clip of Hansol, Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Ten and Jaehyun dancing to the song “Bassbot” under the name of SR15B was released. On July 30, a video of Hansol, Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Ten and Jaehyun performing a dance routine, under the name of SR15B was released.

On December 18, 2015, Kun was formally introduced.

2016: Introduction of Winwin; Ten & Winwin's debut in NCT

On January 5, 2016, WinWin was introduced.

In April 2016, the agency announced Taeil, Taeyong, Doyoung, Ten, Jaehyun and Mark as members of NCT's first subgroup, NCT U.^[2]. In July 2016, it also confirmed Yuta, WinWin and Donghyuck (now officially known as Haechan) as members of NCT's second subunit, NCT 127.^[3]

2017: Introduction of Lucas

On April 5, 2017, Lucas was introduced. Kun made his re-appearance in the team alongside Lucas and Jungwoo after almost a year of absence, opening the pre-debut team's Instagram account.

2018: NCT 2018; Introduction of Xiaojun, Hendery, and Yangyang; formation of WayV

In January 2018, NCT unveiled a "large scale project" for the year called NCT 2018^[4] and some members were seen in Ukraine filming a music video for a possible comeback.^[5][6] SM Rookies members Jungwoo and Lucas were spotted alongside the other NCT members in the airport en route to the said country.^[7]

On January 30, SM Entertainment confirmed the upcoming debut of the remaining SM Rookies members Kun, Lucas, and Jungwoo through the video NCT 2018 Yearbook #1.^[8] On February 13, it was revealed that Lucas and Jungwoo would be making their official debut through NCT U's comeback single "BOSS" alongside members Taeyong, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Winwin, and Mark on February 18.

On July 17, 2018, three male Chinese trainees, Hendery, Xiaojun, and Yangyang, were introduced.^[9]

On December 31, 2018, SM Entertainment announced the debut of Hendery, Xiaojun and Yangyang as members of the NCT's Chinese sub-unit, WayV. After the debut of WayV, the SMROOKIES project was informally halted.

Former members

Name	Country	Introduction Date	Debut Date
Ten (텐)	Thailand	December 23, 2013 (SR14B)	April 8, 2016 (NCT U 일곱 번째 감각 (The 7th Sense)) January 17, 2019 (WayV The Vision) October 4, 2019 (SuperM SuperM)
Kun (쿤)	China	December 18, 2015 (SR15A)	March 14, 2018 (NCT 2018 EMPATHY) January 17, 2019 (WayV The Vision)
Winwin (윈윈)	China	January 5, 2016 (SR16A)	July 6, 2016 (NCT 127 소방차 (FIRETRUCK)) January 17, 2019 (WayV The Vision)
Lucas (루카스)	Hong Kong	April 6, 2017 (SR17B)	February 18, 2018 (NCT U BOSS) January 17, 2019 (WayV The Vision) October 4, 2019 (SuperM SuperM)
Xiaojun (샤오쥔)	China	July 17, 2018 (SR18B)	January 17, 2019 (WayV The Vision) October 12, 2020 (NCT RESONANCE Pt. 1)
Hendery (헨드리)	Macau	July 17, 2018 (SR18B)	January 17, 2019 (WayV The Vision) October 12, 2020 (NCT RESONANCE Pt. 1)
Yangyang (양양)	Taiwan	July 17, 2018 (SR18B)	January 17, 2019 (WayV The Vision) October 12, 2020 (NCT RESONANCE Pt. 1)

References