the trainee process lasts for an indefinite period of time, ranging from months to years, and usually involves vocal, dance, and language classes taken while living together with other trainees, who sometimes attend school at the same time, although some trainees drop out of school to focus on their careers. the process may include "scouting, auditioning, training, styling, producing, and managing", and was developed around the creation of "h.o.t", a boyband of s.m. entertainment in late 1990s. trainees in the same company compete with each other, with some being eliminated from the coveted chance of settling in "the company-owned dormitories", and continue fighting for the chance to debut in new idol groups, while those who cannot show their company the potential to become an eligible idol artist are weeded out of the company.