For many South Korean seniors in high school, the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) marks a turning point in their lives rather than merely a test. Since exam scores define most university admissions, the CSAT is seen as the secret to create opportunities for additional study. For most students, it symbolizes the end of years of intensive study with dreams of admission into one of the prestigious national universities.
For other students—especially those who are already employed professionally—the CSAT becomes a question about whether academic excellence is as crucial as vocational aspirations. K-pop singers, especially those born about 2006, are finding this challenging as they approach the end of high school and choose whether to focus more on their education or keep advancing their careers in the music industry.
Haerin’s Selected Musical Priority
Haerin, a member of the well-known female band NewJeans, is among the first K-pop singers to share her CSAT choice with the world. According to her agency, ADOR, Haerin will not be attending the CSAT for 2025. The young star, qualified to take the test, has chosen to focus exclusively on her musical career instead. Haerin’s decision echoes that of Minji, the head of her group, who declined the 2023 CSAT in order to prioritize her musical path. The choices made by Haerin and Minji reflect a wider trend in the K-pop industry whereby idols—especially those in popular groups—are purposefully choosing the professional routes offered to them as worldwide entertainers over traditional educational options. Haerin, who is just 17, would be more wise to focus on music than on studies since he already has a good following and professional responsibilities.
K-pop Idols Avoiding the CSAT: Trends
Haerin’s choice is not unusual by itself. Some 2006 born stars have also decided to follow their musical careers instead of the CSAT. Among the other celebrities not booked for the test are Wonyoung from IVE, Kyujin from NMIXX, Eunchae from LE SSERAFIM, Jihoon from TWS, Hana from FIFTY FIFTY, and Sion from TripleS. This trend highlights the growing number of young stars who, albeit at the height of their careers, choose against taking the traditional academic route. These singers already feel the global influence of K-pop and understand the need of pursuing their careers in the entertainment industry, where opportunities could often be ephemeral. By choosing to focus on their careers, these artists are boldly stating how the road to success in the entertainment industry does not always follow traditional educational criteria.
Argument in favor of balancing education and career
While many idols are opting not to take part in the CSAT, several others have decided to do so, proving that education and a career in entertainment can coexist. Among the idols slated for the 2025 CSAT are Woonhak from BOynextdoor, Mackiah from Ampers&One, and former child star Gal So Won—best known for her role in the movie Miracle in Cell No. 7. These stars have proved that it is possible to blend their show business ambitions with their academic ones. The CSAT gives these stars an opportunity to further their education; they seem dedicated to preserve their academic goals even as they follow careers in music. Their decision suggests that for some in the K-pop culture, education is still considered as a fundamental component of personal development and can coexist with the pressures of a well-publicized profession in entertainment.
For pupils in the 2025 CSAT, what is under danger?
For those idols and students taking the CSAT, the pressure is quite high. Planned for November 14th, the 2025 CSAT is expected to be among the most taken tests in the country. About 520,000 students—including the stated celebrities who have chosen to pursue both their academics and their careers—are expected to sit for the test. Test-takers have to arrive early and present entrance tickets and ID. They were supposed to be in their designated spots to begin the test by 8:10 AM. This is for many students’s chance to ensure their future; the test marks the end of years of education. Students’ entry to higher education institutions will be defined by their performance in each of the numerous disciplines: Korean language, mathematics, English, social studies or science.
Making such a decision to either focus entirely on a career in K-pop or the CSAT is not easy. Early on, K-pop singers sometimes come under public scrutiny combining their education with the demands of rigorous training and performance schedules. Some stars find it too much to keep a high degree of academic achievement in addition to the constant demands of the entertainment sector. Skipping the CSAT could be the outcome of recognizing the K-pop company offers wealthy, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities not available later on. For others, such as Gal So Won and Woonhak, however, education is still seen as a vital stepping stone in their personal development and they are committed not to let their academic goals fade.
Education and Future of K-pop Idols
As K-pop continues to be popular all around, the connection between education and a career in entertainment will evolve. Many heroes clearly see their work in the music industry as a long-term commitment, hence for those who have already established themselves, avoiding the CSAT may be a wise choice. Others, such as Gal So Won and Woonhak, meanwhile, prove that it is possible to have both knowledge and entertainment careers alongside each other. As the K-pop company expands globally, the paths that celebrities use to thrive will only keep changing. Whether by musical benchmarks or educational achievements, K-pop artists born in 2006 are opening the path for the next generation of stars and their decisions will inspire young idols to take the paths most fit for their own objectives.
