A total of 366 elementary, middle and high school students are working as entertainers here, a governmental report showed Tuesday.

However, the number is estimated to be higher as entertainers or celebrities are among the most admired occupations among youths.

According to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, 208 elementary school, 76 middle school and 82 high school students have registered with local entertainers’ associations across the country.

Females outnumbered males 199 to 167. Most of them reside in Seoul (159), followed by 64 living in Incheon and 97 living in Gyeonggi Province surrounding the capital city.

The student entertainers often miss classes for filming, recording, concerts and other entertainment activities with their head teachers’ approval.

Industry insiders estimate the actual number of “kid celebrities” to be much higher, if those unregistered or who are about to make their debut on screen independently are counted.

“Considering students missing school to train as future entertainers, the ‘student talents’ may be three to four times as many as the registered figure,” said a vocal trainer who looks after aspiring singers in southern Seoul.

According to local Donga Weekly last year, the number of youths seeking career opportunities on screen or stage exceeds one million.

Concerns are rising over their loss of school education. The Fair Trade Commission in June standardized the contract for entertainment firms and celebrity hopefuls to guarantee students’ rights to learn and attend regular schools, but most entertainment agencies reportedly do not adopt it.

“Many of these students are in a vulnerable position because the last thing they would do is upset their boss ― the producers ― by attending classes when they are not allowed to train as future celebrities.

“Moreover, because of their hard training regime after school, most of these youths spend their regular classes dozing or sleeping, isolating themselves from academic activities even inside the campus,” said a high school teacher in southern Seoul, who said he has taught many students seeking a future in show business.

“Unless producers acknowledge the necessities of these students’ academic training, their situation will never improve,” he pointed out. .

Rep. Lee Myoung-soo of the minor opposition Liberty Forward Party called for the Education Ministry’s regulations on such students’ schooldays. “The authorities should draw out a class quota for these students to receive a minimum level of education,” he said in a press release.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)