On the eve of the 2026 CSAT, several popular girl group members are opting not to take the exam this year. On the 12th, the music industry noted that a large number of 2007-born girl group members did not sit for the CSAT.

IVE’s Yeseo, ILLIT’s Wonhee, Baby Monster’s Ahyeon and Rami, Hats To Hats’ Yuha and Stella, Miyao Narin, and CAT’S EYE’s Yoonchae have decided to focus on their main activities rather than taking the CSAT. The trend is especially evident among 3rd-generation K-pop girl groups who are active overseas as much as at home, including BLACKPINK, TWICE, and Red Velvet, suggesting a declining emphasis on college entrance.

With many already possessing professional expertise in their fields, the prestige of a university degree no longer holds the same pull for these artists. Moreover, for 4th-generation groups that debut while maintaining heavy overseas activity, college has become a less practical option; short comeback cycles leave little time for tuition.

There are also role models like IU who built careers without attending university, which has reinforced these choices as viable paths. Agencies say they will decide future schooling based on the artists’ opinions and progression of activities.

This year, Tours Kyungmin, ZeroBaseOne’s Han Yu-jin, and Kick Flip’s Donghyun are among those sitting the CSAT. The CSAT is scheduled for the 13th at 1,310 testing centers nationwide, with 554,174 examinees expected to take part.

The trend reflects a broader shift in how young K-pop artists balance education and a demanding entertainment schedule, with emphasis increasingly placed on professional development and international activity.