Johnny Kitagawa
During the late 90s, talent agencies began to market K-pop stars by implementing an idol business model used in J-pop. Lee Soo-man, the founder of S.M. Entertainment, adopted the trainee system pioneered by Johnny Kitagawa and popularized it as part of a concept labelled cultural technology. Hundreds of candidates each day attend the global auditions held by Korean entertainment agencies to perform for the chance of becoming a trainee.