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| AKB48 21st Gen’s Morikawa Yu Reveals Her Two-Year KPOP Trainee Life in Korea (Photo; Shueisha) |
AKB48’s 21st Generation Kenkyuusei (Trainee) Morikawa Yu is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about new faces, and her story already reads like a drama in itself.
In a recent interview with Shueisha, the 17-year-old from Hyogo revealed that before joining AKB48, she had spent nearly two years training as a K-POP trainee in South Korea, navigating a demanding system that tested both skill and mindset.
Morikawa Yu shared that her journey began in her second year of junior high, when she enrolled in a K-POP-focused dance school.
That decision unexpectedly opened a new door — an audition offer from a Korean entertainment agency. She passed, packed her bags, and moved to Korea, where she trained until June this year.
Life as a trainee, however, was far from glamorous.
“We only had Sundays off,” Morikawa recalled. “Every other day, we trained from morning until night.”
She lived in a dormitory with trainees from Korea and Thailand, creating a multicultural environment where everyone handled their own daily chores, from cleaning to laundry. While the setting was international, the pressure was constant.
One of the most intense parts, she explained, was the monthly evaluations.
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“At the end of every month, people would be told, ‘This is your final day’,” she said. “Trainees would disappear one by one.”
The strictness of the Korean idol system left a strong impression. After returning to Japan, Morikawa found herself at a crossroads — whether to try another Korean agency or consider a new path altogether. That turning point came unexpectedly while scrolling TikTok, where she saw that AKB48 was recruiting its 21st Generation.
Having admired AKB48 for years, she didn’t hesitate.
“I thought, ‘This is it,’ and decided to audition,” she said.
Morikawa Yu also highlighted the key difference between her Korean training and AKB48’s system. In Korea, trainees often spent an entire month perfecting a single song for evaluation. At AKB48, the challenge lies elsewhere.
“The hardest part is learning so many AKB48 songs,” she admitted. “But with each practice, I feel like I’m getting faster at picking things up.”
That adaptability is already shaping her growth as a performer — a skill she’s keen to keep sharpening.
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During the AKB48 audition process, Morikawa Yu stood out by combining confidence with creativity. Drawing on her four years of ballet experience, she introduced herself while performing a Y-balance pose during the second round.
“I wobbled a bit and didn’t execute it perfectly,” she laughed, “but I think it left an impression.”
Despite moments of self-doubt — including tears when her acceptance notice didn’t arrive on the expected day — Morikawa Yu ultimately secured her spot as a 21st Generation Kenkyuusei.
Now, she says she finds joy in idol-related shoots and bonding with her fellow trainees, while also feeling deep respect for AKB48 seniors who have mastered an enormous catalogue of songs.
Looking ahead, Morikawa Yu isn’t shy about her ambitions.
Individually, she hopes to seize every opportunity and grow into someone AKB48 truly needs. Her long-term dream? Becoming a centre member and contributing to the group’s future in a meaningful way.
As for AKB48 as a whole, her goal aligns with the group’s renewed vision.
“I definitely want to stand on the Tokyo Dome stage,” she said, echoing the aspirations set by General Manager Kuranoo Narumi.
Fun Facts About Morikawa Yu
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One word to describe herself: Potential
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Likes: Watching ASMR videos
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Special skills: Korean language, Karate (black belt)