As South Korea gears up for the 2026 College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), a growing number of young idols are choosing to skip the grueling national exam and focus entirely on their entertainment careers instead.
Leeseo, Wonhee, and More Opt Out
According to music industry insiders, several 2007-born girl group members have decided not to take this year’s CSAT.
Among them are IVE’s Leeseo, ILLIT’s Wonhee, BABYMONSTER’s Ahyeon and Rami, Hearts2Hearts’ Yuha and Stella, MEOVV’s Narin, and Katseye’s Yoonchae.
These idols reportedly want to concentrate on their music and global schedules rather than juggling studies and stage life. Their agencies confirmed that “education remains an individual choice, and future academic decisions will depend on the artists’ wishes.”
Why More Girl Group Members Are Skipping the CSAT
This trend isn’t new it traces back to the third generation of K-pop, with stars from BLACKPINK, TWICE, and Red Velvet also opting out of traditional university paths.
For many young artists, the value of a degree is no longer tied to success. Their career achievements and global recognition have already given them the professional credibility that higher education once symbolized.
The rise of 4th-generation and next-gen idols, who often debut as teenagers and immediately engage in overseas promotions, has also made full-time studies nearly impossible. Shorter comeback cycles and constant tour schedules leave little room for academic commitments.
Following in IU’s Footsteps
Industry watchers note that role models like IU, who built an exceptional career without attending college, have further normalized this path. Many young idols now view hands-on artistic growth as a more meaningful pursuit.
However, not all idols have abandoned academics — IZNA’s Yoo Sarang, TWS’ Kyungmin, ZEROBASEONE’s Han Yujin, and KICKFLIP’s Donghyun are reportedly among those taking the exam this year.
Editor’s Insight A Shifting Standard in K-pop
As the line between student and professional blurs for teenage stars, K-pop continues to redefine success. In an industry that prizes global performance over test scores, idols like Leeseo and Wonhee represent a new generation choosing the stage over the classroom.
he growing number of idols skipping the CSAT reflects more than scheduling conflicts it highlights a fundamental shift in how success is defined within K-pop. In previous generations, education was often seen as a parallel path or safety net. Today, however, global exposure, early debut, and real-time career growth have replaced traditional milestones like university admission. For idols debuting in their mid-teens and immediately entering international markets, the industry itself becomes their classroom. What’s particularly notable is that this decision is no longer viewed as risky, but increasingly normalized — shaped by precedents set by artists like IU and reinforced by the global scale of K-pop today.