Long before Seventeen became a global stadium-selling powerhouse under Pledis Entertainment, the group's pre-debut lineup looked very different. Among the most talked-about early trainees was Kim Samuel, a young performer who appeared on the promotional reality pre-cursor Seventeen TV. His sudden departure left a massive void in the lineup and sparked years of speculation across K-pop fandoms.
Samuel didn't leave because of a dramatic agency fallout or a scandal. He exited Pledis Entertainment in 2013 primarily due to his young age and family concerns about the timeline of his debut. Born in 2002, Samuel was only eleven years old during his initial training days. His mother felt he was simply too young to withstand the physical and mental pressures of debuting in a large idol group. Rather than locking him into a multi-year contract as a child, his family chose to withdraw him from the project, allowing him to step away before Seventeen's official 2015 debut.
Understanding Samuel's exit requires looking past the rumors and examining how early K-pop trainee systems operate, what happened to him next, and how his career evolved after parting ways with Pledis.
The Pledis Years and Seventeen TV
Back in 2012, Pledis Entertainment introduced a revolutionary concept: a pre-debut training reality show broadcast on Ustream called Seventeen TV. Fans watched young boys train day and night, learning choreography, writing tracks, and building a dedicated pre-debut fanbase. Samuel stood out instantly. Despite being one of the youngest trainees in the room, his hip-hop dancing skills, stage presence, and bilingual background made him a fan favorite.
Viewers watched him sweat through rigorous practice sessions alongside current Seventeen members like S.Coups, Woozi, and Hoshi. However, the debut timeline kept getting pushed back. Pledis faced financial hardships during those years, delaying Seventeen's launch repeatedly. As the months dragged on, the strain on young trainees and their families grew.
Why Age Became a Deciding Factor
The K-pop industry is notoriously grueling. Training schedules often stretch past midnight, colliding with standard schooling. For an eleven-year-old, the physical toll is immense.
- Growth and Health: Intense weight management and hours of daily b-boying and choreography can stunt or strain a growing child's body.
- Education Laws: South Korea has strict regulations regarding working hours and broadcast appearances for minors, complicating long-term group promotions.
- Family Intervention: Recognizing these hurdles, Samuel's mother intervened. She pulled him out of Pledis in 2013 so he could focus on his childhood and normal growth outside the high-stress incubator.
Transition to 1PUNCH and Produce 101
Leaving Seventeen didn't mean Samuel was done with the music industry. After leaving Pledis, he joined Brave Entertainment. In 2015, at just thirteen years old, he debuted in a hip-hop duo named 1PUNCH alongside rapper ONE, using the stage name Punch.
The duo generated initial buzz with their track "Turn Me Back," a nostalgic homage to 90s Korean hip-hop. Unfortunately, the momentum stalled when ONE was scouted by YG Entertainment, leading to the abrupt disbandment of 1PUNCH after only eight months.
Seeking a fresh start, Samuel stepped into the spotlight again in 2017 as a contestant on Mnet's mega-hit survival show Produce 101 Season 2.
The Produce 101 Phenomenon
Fans of Seventeen watched in disbelief as Samuel walked onto the Produce 101 stage as a seasoned trainee despite his young age. Throughout the competition, he consistently ranked in the upper tier, showcasing advanced vocal stability and top-tier performance skills.
Many viewers assumed his spot in the final project group, Wanna One, was guaranteed. In a shocking upset during the live finale, Samuel placed 18th, missing the debut lineup. While the elimination devastated his global fanbase, it served as a catalyst for his immediate solo debut later that year with the mini-album Sixteen.
Legal Battles with Brave Entertainment
Samuel's career faced another major hurdle as he transitioned into adulthood. In 2019, he announced plans to promote as an independent artist, prompting a fierce legal response from Brave Entertainment.
This triggered a prolonged legal battle. Samuel and his legal team filed a lawsuit to terminate his exclusive contract, citing broken trust, unfair event scheduling, and a breakdown in management communication. Brave Entertainment contested the move, arguing that the contract remained valid.
After years of court appearances, the Seoul Central District Court ruled in Samuel's favor in November 2021, terminating his contract. Following appeals and final settlements, Samuel officially cleared his legal burdens, reclaiming full control over his artistic direction and career.
Where is Samuel Kim Now?
Today, Samuel operates independently under his own management setup, focusing on self-produced music, international projects, and engaging directly with fans through social media platforms like TikTok. He released music including his EP Now and subsequent independent projects like Samuelito, proving his resilience after navigating a decade of turbulence in the entertainment industry.
While his path diverged drastically from the members he once trained alongside in Pledis's basement studios, his early roots remain a fascinating footnote in K-pop history. Had he stayed, Seventeen might look entirely different today, but Samuel carved out a unique journey entirely on his own terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Samuel stay in touch with the members of Seventeen?
While public reunions have been rare due to their diverging paths and busy schedules, Samuel has occasionally spoken fondly of his time as a Pledis trainee. Given how close-knit the Seventeen TV trainees were, mutual respect remains between them, even if their careers took opposite directions.
Why didn't Samuel debut with Seventeen when they finally launched in 2015?
He had already departed the company two years prior in 2013. Pledis finalized Seventeen's active lineup long after his departure, locking in the final 13 members who debuted with "Adore U."
Was Samuel the youngest trainee on Seventeen TV?
He was certainly among the youngest. His age was the primary driving factor behind his mother's decision to pull him from the agency before the intense debut preparations began.
What was Samuel's stage name during his 1PUNCH days?
When he debuted in the hip-hop duo 1PUNCH alongside ONE in 2015, he performed under the stage name Punch. He later reverted to using his given name for his solo career and Produce 101 appearance.
