How Do You Know When to Keep Trying?

Before you give up, ask: is it over, or should I keep trying?

When you’ve been working toward something for years and the payoff still hasn’t come, it’s hard not to wonder: Is this a sign to give up or a test to keep trying?

That’s what makes Johnny’s story so powerful. Not just because of where he ended up, but because of what he endured to get there.

Nine Years of “Not Yet”

Johnny, a 6’1” Korean-American from Chicago, auditioned for SM Entertainment in 2007. He got in. That alone was rare. He trained under one of the biggest entertainment companies in South Korea and watched debut after debut that wasn’t his. He was with SM Rookies, practiced with EXO, and fans expected he’d debut soon. But when EXO launched in 2012, Johnny wasn’t part of it.

Four more years went by. NCT was announced in 2016 with three sub-units. Still no Johnny.

Nine years. No debut.

In an industry where most trainees give up after a few years, Johnny stayed. He trained longer than most idols are active. He stayed hopeful, even when it looked like SM had moved on. Then, in December 2016, it was announced: Johnny would finally debut with NCT 127. The group’s next album, Limitless, hit #1 on the Billboard World Album Chart. It wasn’t just a debut. It was a moment.

Johnny didn’t get lucky. He stayed ready.

When Everything Says “Quit,” But You Don’t

Most people would have quit. And no one would have blamed them.

Johnny had plenty going “against” him:

  • He was older than most rookies.
  • He was tall… unusually tall for an idol.
  • He was Korean-American in a Korean-dominated industry.

But here’s what he had going for him:

  • SM never dropped him. They kept training him, even if quietly.
  • He gained invaluable skills, performance, language, resilience, that prepared him for more than just one chance.
  • He had fans. Even before debut, people supported him. That kind of loyalty isn’t guaranteed.

The signs weren’t always loud or clear. But they were there. He just had to be patient enough to see them.

Timing Is a Skill, Too

Sometimes, life doesn’t say “no”. It says “not yet.”

That’s a lesson that doesn’t make sense while you’re going through it. But hindsight has a way of revealing the purpose behind the delay. Maybe you weren’t ready yet. Maybe the world wasn’t. Maybe the opportunity needed time to become the right opportunity.

The longer you go without seeing results, the more tempting it is to call it quits. But before you do, ask yourself:

  • Am I walking away because my dream has changed, or because the timeline disappointed me?
  • Have I really done everything I can to grow in this space or just hoped that passion alone would be enough?

Talent matters. So does timing. And consistency. And grit.

What Johnny’s Story Reminds Us

It’s not just about achieving the dream. It’s about what it takes to keep believing in the dream when everything around you tells you it’s over.

You don’t have to chase something forever. But if you still want it, and there are still signs that it’s possible, don’t stop. Not just because of hope. But because you’ve come too far to walk away before you see what’s waiting for you on the other side of “not yet.”

Believe in yourself. Stay ready. Your moment may not be late. It might be right on time.

📌 Changelog

  • June 26, 2025: Article re-written and formatted to narrow focus.
  • Jan 19, 2017: Original article posted.

 

 

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