Long before the multi-million-selling global powerhouse Pledis Entertainment group hit superstardom, a roster of young trainees spent their formative years broadcasting live on Seventeen TV. Among them was a young pre-debut member named Kim Samuel, who joined the agency at a remarkably tender age. His sudden departure before the official group formation left many fans asking questions that persist years later.
Understanding the real story requires looking past the rumors and examining how a child trainee navigated early agency departures, short-lived duo projects, survival show heartbreak, and legal battles to forge an independent musical path.
The Pledis Years and Early Seventeen Training
In 2012, Samuel entered Pledis Entertainment as a trainee. He was only eleven years old when he began appearing on Seventeen TV, an online reality broadcast designed to introduce prospective members of the upcoming boy group to the public. Viewers watched him dance, sing, and train alongside boys who would eventually debut under the Seventeen banner.
However, Samuel left the agency in 2013. While internet lore frequently attributes his exit strictly to age restrictions or parental decisions regarding his schooling, the reality involved shifting pre-debut lineups and management changes typical of early-stage K-pop development. Because he parted ways with Pledis well before the group finalized its roster and debuted in 2015, he missed out on the historic group rollout.
Transition to Brave Entertainment and 1PUNCH
Following his departure from Pledis, Samuel moved to Brave Entertainment, headed by the prominent producer Brave Brothers. Under this new label, he partnered with rapper One to form the hip-hop duo 1PUNCH. Performing under the stage name Punch, he debuted in January 2015 with the track "Turn Me Back".
The duo generated initial curiosity with their old-school 1990s aesthetic, but the partnership was short-lived. Just eight months after their debut, One left Brave Entertainment to sign with YG Entertainment, resulting in the immediate disbandment of 1PUNCH. Samuel briefly continued as a solo-collaborator, teaming up with American rapper Silentó for the single "Spotlight," which won a Seoul Music Award.
Produce 101 and Solo Career Breakthrough
In 2017, Samuel stepped back into the massive public spotlight by competing in the second season of Produce 101. Representing Brave Entertainment, his exceptional dance skills and stable vocals earned him an initial 'A' grade and early high rankings, placing second during early eliminations.
Despite heavy fan expectations that he would secure a spot in the final project group Wanna One, Samuel finished at number eighteen in the finale. Rather than letting the setback stall his momentum, he launched his solo career later that year with the mini-album Sixteen. He followed this with his first full-length album, Eye Candy, and expanded his promotions into Japan and China.
Legal Disputes and Independent Operations
By 2019, creative and structural differences with Brave Entertainment led to a major career pivot. Samuel announced his intention to promote independently, which prompted a legal pushback from his label. This triggered a protracted legal battle that concluded in late 2021 when the Seoul Central District Court ruled in Samuel's favor, allowing him to terminate his exclusive contract.
Free from corporate constraints, he took control of his career trajectory, releasing independent projects like his self-produced EP Now. He also reconnected with his past by participating in tracks associated with his former labelmates, proving that early trainee ties sometimes resurface in unexpected ways.
Common Misconceptions About Samuel and Seventeen
- Was Samuel officially a member of Seventeen? No. He was a pre-debut trainee on Seventeen TV, but he left the agency years before the group's official debut.
- Was he kicked out of Seventeen? No official records or statements indicate a punitive expulsion; his departure stemmed from normal trainee turnover and shifting lineups during the long pre-debut phase.
- Does he still perform music? Yes. He continues to release independent music, manage his own projects, and interact with fans globally.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old was Samuel when he trained with Seventeen?
He was around eleven years old when he first appeared on Seventeen TV as a Pledis Entertainment trainee.
Why didn't Samuel debut with Seventeen?
He left Pledis Entertainment in 2013 due to personal and pre-debut restructuring reasons, long before the final lineup was locked in for their 2015 debut.
What happened to the duo 1PUNCH?
The duo disbanded after just eight months when member One left to join YG Entertainment, forcing Samuel to pivot toward solo activities.
How did Samuel resolve his contract dispute with Brave Entertainment?
After filing a lawsuit to terminate his exclusive agreement, Samuel won his legal case in the Seoul Central District Court, granting him the freedom to operate as an independent artist.
