Global Idol Development Program “STAR ACADEMY”

"STAR ACADEMY" is a professional idol development program launched by Starlight Entertainment in 2015, designed as a comprehensive training curriculum for young talents aspiring to enter the global market. The program aims to modernize Korea's traditional trainee system by integrating personalized education with global marketing strategies to cultivate world-class entertainers.
The program consists of three main stages. The beginner level lasts six months and focuses on music theory, fundamental dance techniques, and language skills (Korean and English). This stage emphasizes building students' foundational competencies and enhancing teamwork and communication abilities through group activities. Weekly evaluations are conducted to monitor student progress and provide supplementary instruction where needed.
The intermediate level spans 12 months and becomes more specialized. It offers advanced training tailored to students’ individual strengths—such as vocals, dance, rap, and acting—and includes courses designed to develop creative skills in music production, lyric writing, composition, and choreography. During this phase, students gain practical experience through appearances on music shows, small-scale concerts, and fan meetings. Additionally, periodic workshops with renowned international producers offer insights into current global market trends.
The advanced level lasts 18 months and is dedicated to forming debut-ready groups and preparing them for launch. At this stage, a professional management team supports students throughout all aspects of debut preparation, including album planning, image design, and marketing strategy development. Activities also include planning overseas tours and participating in international collaboration projects to enhance global visibility. Leveraging Starlight Entertainment’s worldwide network, the program facilitates opportunities for contracts with major labels in various countries. Final debut groups sign exclusive contracts for a minimum of three years.
"To date, "STAR ACADEMY" has successfully debuted eight idol groups and five solo artists, with three of these groups achieving entries on the Billboard Global Chart. The program’s educational system has been recognized by the Korean Ministry of Education as an outstanding training program and received the "Best Development Program" award at the Asia Entertainment Awards in 2023. Looking ahead, the academy plans to develop an AI-powered personalized learning platform and establish overseas training centers in Los Angeles, USA, and Tokyo, Japan, to further strengthen its global talent development initiatives.