Understand the path before you make the destination your dream

But first, a quick word from today’s sponsor!

Find out why 100K+ engineers read The Code twice a week.

That engineer who always knows what's next? This is their secret.

Here's how you can get ahead too:

• Sign up for The Code - tech newsletter read by 100K+ engineers

• Get latest tech news, top research papers & resources

• Become 10X more valuable

Join 100k+ engineers

Thank you for supporting the sponsors who help keep this newsletter free. If you’re interested in sponsoring a future edition and getting in front of 33,000 professionals, reply to this email.

STORY
The truth behind becoming a K-pop idol

You’ve probably heard of K-pop. You may have even heard of some K-pop global stars like BTS, Blackpink, and EXO. Their music videos rack up hundreds of millions of views. Their concerts sell out in minutes. Their net worths hit the tens of millions.

Many dream of reaching that level of fame. In a recent survey, being a K-Pop idol ranked among the top dream jobs for South Korean teens—and for good reason. 

K-Pop idols can earn millions from concerts, endorsements, and merchandise. They travel the world, perform in stadiums of cheering fans, and appear in glamorous magazine shoots.

But did you know the reality is far from glamorous?

In a traditional casting, aspiring idols go through an open audition and sign contracts to become K-Pop trainees. They are often no older than 17, and sometimes as young as 11 or 12. They then endure years, and sometimes even a decade, of relentless training.

“We’d get a day off every fortnight and then practice again for another 13 days,” recalled Rosé of Blackpink.

Trainees live under strict surveillance and rules. Dorms enforce curfews, and security cameras monitor nearly every inch of the practice spaces. Dance rehearsals stretch 10–12 hours daily, with the same moves drilled until exhaustion, layered on top of vocal lessons, language classes, and even etiquette training.

Everything from how they bow to how they smile is scrutinized. “There were so many rules... Everything I did was wrong,” said Rosé.

Most never debut. For those who do, success comes at the cost of relentless schedules, minimal rest, and contracts that can last up to 13 years, giving companies sweeping control over their careers and personal lives.

This isn’t unique to K-Pop. Every profession has a reality behind the highlight reel. 

UNSPOKEN RULE
Understand the path before you make the destination your dream

The danger of a "dream job" is falling for the stage lights and forgetting the 12-hour rehearsals. You need to talk to the people who are living the path to get the full story.

Here’s how to reality-check your dream job before committing:

1. Get a warm intro: “Did I see that you’re connected to _______? Might you be close enough to them to make an introduction? I’m interested in _______ and would love to _______.”
   

2. Ask someone living it: “I’ve always wanted to work in _______, especially given my [interest / background] in _______. Do you mind if I ask you some questions about expectations versus reality? I’d love to follow in your footsteps.”
   

3. Do a micro-test if you can: Before committing to a career or even a new job, make sure you try it, whether it’s through an internship or even a side project at work if you’re already employed.

(Continued reading: Learn to network like a nepo baby here.)

Dream jobs are worth chasing—just make sure you love both the spotlight and the rehearsals.

See you next Tuesday for our next story and unspoken rule,

—Gorick

What’s an “unspoken rule”? They’re the things that separate those who get ahead from those who stumble—and don’t know why. You can learn more about these rules in the workplace in my Wall Street Journal bestselling book called—you guessed it—The Unspoken Rules.

Every newsletter is free and a fraction of my work.

Here are 4 of my paid offerings that may interest you:

1. Keynote speaking​​: The second half of my 2025 speaking calendar is filling up! If your organization is looking for speakers for your internship program, new hire orientation, new student orientation, manager training, all-hands meetings, recruiting season, year-end performance evaluation season, or something else, let's chat!

2. How to Say It: Flashcards that teach you to know what to say in every high-stakes professional setting via hundreds of fill-in-the-blank scripts (just like the examples above). Free shipping on all orders over $40.

3. Fast Lane to Leadership​: My online course that takes you from day 1 in a new role through to a promotion with 28 modules and 28 cheatsheets (3.5 hours of content). Use code ‘ireadgoricksnewsletter20’ for 20% off. (Are you an organization looking to roll out my content to your employees? Learn more and contact me here: https://www.gorick.com/companies.)

4. The Unspoken Rules​: My Wall Street Journal Bestseller that Arianna Huffington calls “a blueprint for anyone starting their career, entering a new role, or wanting to get unstuck.” Used by top companies and MBA programs.

Gorick Ng
[email protected]​
Harvard career advisor | WSJ bestselling author | Fortune 500 keynote speaker | First-gen

Follow me on LinkedIn
Ask me a career question

Sources

1. the top dream jobs for South Korean teens

2. K-Pop idols can earn millions from concerts, endorsements, and merchandise.

3. They are often no older than 17, and sometimes as young as 11 or 12

4. They then endure years, sometimes a decade, of relentless training.

5. “We’d get a day off every fortnight and then practice again for another 13 days”

6. Trainees live under strict surveillance and rules.

7. K-pop group Blackpink

8. K-pop idol audition in Thailand.

9. Dorms enforce curfews

10. Security cameras monitor nearly every inch of the practice spaces

11. “There were so many rules.”