MBC Plus has announced that preliminary voting for the "2024 Universal Superstar Awards" ("2024 USA") is now open! For those interested in voting for their favorite groups and artists, they can head over to the mobile fandom app, IDOLCHAMP. The preliminary voting period will be from February 1st to February 14th, which will serve as a pivotal step for groups to make it to the "2024 USA" finals.

Within IDOLCHAMP fans will find seven different categories they can vote in. These categories include 'Universal Super Icon', 'Universal Golden Best', 'Universal Best Popularity (Male/Female)', Universal Next Generation (Male/Female)', and 'Universal Super Rookie'. The hottest idol groups who've received love on both a national and global level have been selected as candidates, setting the foundations for a heated competition.

Featured Artists During Preliminary Voting

WAKE ONE / MLD Entertainment / KQ Entertainment / Pledis Entertainment

The category for 'Universal Super Icon' has a total of 21 artists which include NCT 127, BTS' V, BTS' JungKook, BLACKPINK's JiSoo, SEVENTEEN, Lim YoungWoong, and many more. 'Universal Golden Best' has a total of 22 artists which include NewJeans, STAYC, IVE, ATEEZ, Kang Daniel, and Kim HoJoong, among others.

'Universal Best Popularity (Male)' has a total of 55 teams to choose from, with names like NCT DREAM, BTS' JiMin, BTOB, Stray Kids, ATEEZ, ZEROBASEONE, and etc. For 'Universal Best Popularity (Female)' there's a choice of 52 artists which include (G)I-DLE, BLACKPINK's Jennie, SECRET NUMBER, NMIXX, OH MY GIRL, Kep1er, and more.

'Universal Next Generation (Male)' features 20 rising artists that include n.SSign, HORI7ON, PLAVE, XODIAC, &TEAM, BOYNEXTDOOR, RIIZE, and so much more. Then for 'Universal Next Generation (Female)', fans have a choice of 22 groups — NiziU, LIGHTSUM, Lapillus, Queenz Eye, KISS OF LIFE, and VIVIZ, to name a few.

Lastly, the category of 'Universal Super Rookie' has a total of 23 candidates which features groups like ONE PACT, FANTASY BOYS, EVNNE, Loossemble, and EL7Z UP, among many others.

Final Voting Information

After the conclusion of the preliminary voting, the final voting will be open during a 3 week period from February 23rd until March 14th. The final results will be announced at the "2024 Universal Superstar Awards", which will be held at the Grand Peace Palace at Kyung Hee University Seoul on March 27th.

At the KM Chart "2024 USA", artists active within various music genres like K-Pop, trot, ballad, and hip-hop will present unforgettable stages that all fans can look forward to. The "2024 USA" will create a festival-like experience with fans of all walks of life to celebrate the artists who brightly shone in K-Pop in 2023.

Special Event Announcement

Update (February 23)

Kpopmap has now officially launched its special sales event in partnership with IDOLCHAMP! If you purchase IDOLCHAMP coupons through Kpopmap, you will be automatically entered for an opportunity to win a ticket to attend the "2024 USA" in Seoul.

Head here to purchase IDOLCHAMP coupons today and for more information on the sales event!

Who will you be voting for?

The K-Pop world has embraced foreign idols for decades now, and they form a significant part of the industry. However, the K-Drama industry is still quite closed off when it comes to casting foreign idols as actors.

Despite the incredible popularity of foreign idols, not many of them are seen on the small screen.

Some foreign K-Pop idols who have acted in K-Dramas include Henry Lau, who has even acted as a Korean ("Oh My Venus"), (G)I-DLE's Minnie in "So Not Worth It" and Terada Takuya in "The Lover".

Isn't it surprising that more foreign K-Pop idols are not seen in K-Dramas?

Here are 5 foreign K-Pop idols we think would be amazing in a K-Drama!

1. NCT's Yuta

Yuta's Instagram

First on this list, we have NCT's Yuta, who has been proving his extraordinary mettle as an actor in Japan.

With his versatility, skills, and visuals, he would be a delight to watch in a K-Drama.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he could well make a place for himself in the prestigious film industry too!

2. Lapillus' Chanty

Chanty's Instagram

Chanty is an actress in her homeland, just like Yuta.

She is extremely talented, gorgeous and a queen of expressions!

We can totally imagine her as the leading protagonist of a rom-com K-Drama.

3. TWICE's Sana

Sana's Instagram

TWICE's Sana is a veteran in the K-Pop industry.

She is just as beloved as she is talented, with unrivaled charisma.

It is truly surprising that Sana has not appeared in a K-Drama yet but if she ever does, it would break the internet.

4. LE SSERAFIM's Sakura

Sakura's Instagram

Miyawaki Sakura is a master of all trades.

So, it is no surprise that she is also a talented actress but unfortunately for us, she hasn't acted in a K-Drama.

Sakura's ethereal visuals may remind you of a romance drama, but she would do fantastic in an action/thriller, too!

5. aespa's NingNing

NingNing's Instagram

NingNing is an idol with angelic beauty and immense talent.

Due to her short appearance on aespa's "Better Things" sitcom, many fans were left wanting more.

We have no doubt that NingNing would be incredible as an actress in a K-Drama, making even more fans fall in love.

You don't need to be Korean to be a K-Pop idol! When young kids all over the world dreaming of standing on South Korea's stage first realized this, a whole new world opened up in front of them. From BLACKPINK's Lisa to TWICE's MiSaMo, BLACKSWAN's Fatou, GOT7's Jackson Wang, Lapillus' Chanty, ChoCo's Anpan, X:IN's Aria, SECRET NUMBER's Dita, KISS OF LIFE's Natty and many more - some of the most beloved and successful K-Pop idols across generations have been foreign, and they have been embraced not just by Koreans but K-Pop fans globally. The immense heights that these foreign K-Pop idols reached quickly proved that talent cannot be bound by borders. So, the ultimate global talent hunt is on, and K-Pop companies are gearing up to find the next big star through worldwide K-Pop auditions.

International K-Pop Idols As A Reflection Of Globalization

PARCINQ

In the beginning, when the second generation of K-Pop was advancing in full force towards expansion in Asia, the presence of a non-Korean member in an idol group was a reflection of this development. Soon after, as Hallyu crash-landed on the farthest corners of the world, leading to the steady globalization of K-Pop, we saw even more trailblazers like Taiwanese idol Amber Liu in f(x), Thai-American Nichkhun in 2PM and Sriya Lenka from India in BLACKSWAN. As such, foreign K-Pop idols have always been indicative of K-Pop's transnational impact.

We have also recently seen the rise of the 1st generation of global pop groups coming out of the K-Pop industry, such as all-Filipino group HORI7ON, JYPE's American girl group VCHA trained in the K-Pop system, HYBE's global girl group KATSEYE, and many more, which has opened the doors to endless possibilities for aspiring K-Pop idols all over the world.

It is quite natural, therefore, that in the current landscape, it is standard practice for K-Pop companies to seek out talent from all over the world for their idol groups. From the big 4 - HYBE, SME, YGE, and JYPE to more diverse companies like MLD Entertainment, WAKEONE, Kakao Entertainment, and ChoCo Entertainment - everyone wants to nurture the next big global star in K-Pop and to do so, inviting global applicants is a must. After all, amidst the fierce competition that defines the K-Pop industry, those who can swiftly identify and recruit from diverse talent pools first emerge victorious. The world is witnessing the globalization of the K-Pop dream, and the industry is catching up.

Spotlight On India: The New Epicenter For Talent

Sriya's Instagram / X:IN's Instagram

The latest hot spot for K-Pop companies to find the next diamond of K-Pop is India. Yes, the country known for its rich culture and heritage is also emerging as the goldmine for finding future K-Pop idols with the potential to take the world by storm.

Following Sriya Lenka's impactful debut in BLACKSWAN as the first Indian K-Pop idol, it was Aria, also from India, who debuted in X:IN, going viral at once for her charming visuals and talent. Both idols received immense love from K-pop fans all over the world and are moving forward in their careers, achieving one milestone after another. Sriya recently walked the runway for the brand GREEDILOUS at the 2024 F/W Seoul Fashion Week, and Aria is currently preparing to debut as a part of the multinational project K-Pop group Triple iz.

So, Who's Next?

According to ChoCo Entertainment, headed by ChoPD, it may just be Kashish Pushpak - a young girl from India who has just landed in Seoul to fulfill her dream of becoming a K-Pop idol.

K-Pop company ChoCo Entertainment has officially launched its 2024 Global Audition, aiming to scout the best talents from all over the world. ChoCo Entertainment, which is renowned for its unique artist incubation system, is setting eyes on India first and foremost to find its next big star. Towards this end, singer and dancer Kashish Pushpak has been chosen to fly out to South Korea and audition for ChoCo Entertainment.

ChoCo Entertainment's team personally escorted Kashish and her guardian from the airport, introducing her to her favorite Korean food, and showed her around, proving their dedication to caring for young artists and nurturing them to the best of their capacity.

On her second day in Seoul, Kashish met ChoPD, the CBO/Executive Producer of ChoCo Entertainment, sharing her dream of marrying Indian pop with K-Pop and creating a whole new genre that will dominate the global music scene. ChoPD was thoroughly impressed by her vision and showed enthusiasm about making her dream come true.

What is particularly significant about this conversation is that Kashish's dream is something that K-Pop fans in India also share. Collaboration between Indian artists and K-Pop artists is highly desired, especially if it materializes in the form of a unique and innovative new genre, paving the way for future developments and sparking a movement in global music. So, fans are already supporting Kashish and cheering her on for her journey.

About her experience in ChoCo Entertainment, Kashish shared, "I totally love this company..friendly, comfortable, helpful" and urged all aspiring K-Pop dreamers to join ChoCo's global audition, set to be conducted in a full-fledged manner in 2024.

How To Audition For ChoCo Entertainment?

ChoCo Entertainment

ChoCo Entertainment's 2024 Global Audition for finding the next K-Pop star is currently underway, and applications are always open.

You can audition for Vocal, Dance, and Rap categories (up to three choices), and anyone is eligible to audition, regardless of nationality, age, or gender, which goes to show ChoCo Entertainment's commitment to prioritizing talent above all.

To apply, download the application form here, fill it out, and submit it with a video highlighting your vocal, rap, or dance skills in a 2-minute clip, along with a short self-introduction to [email protected].

For more details, check out ChoCo Entertainment's official website here.

Are you ready to be the next K-Pop star? What are you waiting for? Globalize your talent and apply now!