K-Pop idols train tirelessly in order to stand on stage and present their best selves to their fans. They reach the highest notes, execute the most complex dance moves, and look spectacular while doing it. Now more than ever, the entire globe has come to know the power of K-Pop as a genre and the impact artists can have on their fans.

The K-Beauty industry and K-Pop go hand in hand, as companies like ETUDE (formerly known as Etude House) employ various artists to model and promote their products. ETUDE has a long history, becoming a trusted name in the beauty industry. Much of their success can be attributed to their high quality products, as well as the people who endorse them.

With that in mind, let's take a look at some of the idols who have modeled for ETUDE in recent history!

 

1. Red Velvet

Red Velvet are K-Pop powerhouses who have played an integral part in pushing the music genre forward. They've produced incredible music, fueled by their passionate and mesmerizing personalities both on and off camera. They endorsed a variety of different products for ETUDE, including lipsticks, base makeup, and so much more.

 

2. FANATICS' DoAh

DoAh first rose to fame through her appearance in Mnet's "Produce 48". Fans couldn't help but fall in love for her bubbly charms and endearingly cute personality. Even beauty brand ETUDE couldn't deny her apparent charms as they enlisted her to join their ever-growing list of iconic models. Even now the idol's face can be seen all across ETUDE's social media platforms, endorsing a multitude of different products.

 

3. Golden Child's Choi BoMin

Within the K-Pop scene, makeup is used by everyone, regardless of gender. This makes it possible for even male idols to become the face of beauty brands everywhere. Golden Child's BoMin previously became one of the few male K-Pop idols to model for the K-Beauty company. At the time, netizens praised ETUDE for their model selection, as BoMin exuded boyfriend material aura that everyone loved. Although his contract with ETUDE ended, fans continue to fondly recall the various eye-catching photographs this partnership produced.

 

4. LE SSERAFIM's Kazuha

LE SSERAFIM just recently made a comeback with their newest mini album, "EASY", and continue to showcase why they've become one of the leaders of their generation. With such an immense impact on the K-Pop industry, it seems like an 'EASY' decision for any brand to choose one of the members as a model. In ETUDE's case, they decided to partner with the bright and vibrant Kazuha. Making the transition from ballet to idol life, she's an absolute natural on stage. But outside of the spotlight, she has a fresh, revitalizing image that's perfect for the K-Beauty brand.

 

5. SHINee

ETUDE has a history of bringing on big names to model for their products, raising the hype and interest from the public. SHINee does this and so much more, speaking to their veteran status in the scene. They previously acted as the brand's main models close to a decade ago, but stepped away due to other commitments. However, they've retained a friendly working relationship with one another as the iconic idol group was recently seen advertising ETUDE's beauty products. As SHINee modeled for the Replay collection, fans couldn't help but fill up their shopping carts on ETUDE's website, purchasing items the SM boy group endorsed.

Have you purchased anything from ETUDE because of these idols? What's your favorite product from K-Beauty brand ETUDE?

The number of non-Korean K-Pop idols active in the industry has been increasing steadily over time. It's quite common to see foreign idols as members of most K-Pop groups these days. As such, many fans have been noticing how certain nationalities are particularly dominating the K-Pop scene. For example, there are quite a lot of Japanese K-Pop idols and Thai K-Pop idols who are active in the Korean entertainment industry. Another country with a lot of debuted K-Pop idols is Taiwan. There are many Taiwanese K-Pop idols active in the industry at the moment.

Let's find out who they are below!

Note: This list is in no particular order nor is it a ranking, The list only includes idols and trainees that are currently active in Korea. 

 

Debuted Taiwanese K-Pop Idols

1. TWICE's Tzuyu

Tzuyu debuted as a member of TWICE in 2015.

 

2. (G)I-DLE's Shuhua

Shuhua debuted as a member of (G)I-DLE in 2018.

 

3. GOT7's Mark

Mark made his debut as a member of GOT7 in 2014. He is Taiwanese-American.

 

4. f(x)'s Amber Liu

Amber made her debut as a member of f(x) in 2009. She is Taiwanese-American.

 

5. GWSN's Soso

Soso debuted as a member of GWSN in 2018.

 

6. FANATIC's Chiayi

Chiayi debuted as a member of FANATICS in 2019.

 

7. NCT's Yangyang

Yangyang became a member of WayV and ultimately NCT in 2019.

 

8. ILY:1's Rona

Rona debuted as a member of ILY:1 in 2022.

 

9. ILY:1's Elva

Elva also debuted as a member of ILY:1 in 2022. She is Korean-Taiwanese.

 

10. TRI.BE's Kelly

Kelly debuted as a member of TRI.BE in 2021.

 

11. TRI.BE's Jia

Jia also debuted as a member of TRI.BE in 2021.

 

12. CRAVITY's Allen

Allen debuted as a member of CRAVITY in 2020. He's Taiwanese-American.

 

13. tripleS' Nien

Nien became a member of tripleS in 2023. She's Taiwanese-Vietnamese.

 

BONUS: Debuted Taiwanese K-Pop Idols

14. &TEAM's Nicholas

Nicholas made his debut member of &TEAM in 2022. The group is multinational and signed to HYBE Labels Japan. As such, there are some fans who consider the group to be a K-Pop group and other fans who think otherwise.

Who is your favorite Taiwanese K-Pop idol? Do you know of more Taiwanese K-Pop idols active in the industry? If so, let us know in the comments!

 

Korean romance web dramas are of good quality and offer different types of content. While there are a few school and college dramas airing on TV every year, it is not the case with web dramas. Middle school, high school, college, and early 20s are often a subject for Korean web dramas.

If you are new to web dramas, you might want to check the Best 5 Channels To Watch Korean Web Dramas With Subtitles where we introduce the best YouTube channels to watch web dramas.

Note: the list does not include Netflix Original series.

Here are romance web dramas that you should not miss!

Let us know in the comment which web drama would you advise your friend to watch.

 

1. "A-Teen 2"

When: 2019

Cast: APRIL's Lee NaEun, Kim DongHee, Golden Child's BoMin, Kim SooHyun, Ryu EuiHyun, Kang MinAh, Shin YeEun, Shin SeungHo

Summary: The web drama is about the worries and love stories of teens. The changes that the main characters are going through by changing from 18 to 19 years old. They are going through a lot with the preparation of the SAT (college entrance exam) and this comes with a lot of choices to be made.

Why watch?: The whole "A-Teen" series is worth watching, you can start with season 1 or 2 directly. This is definitely one of the best web dramas and a must-watch if you are looking for a high school story with love and friendship. The lead couple is amazing with a lot of heart-fluttering scenes and the surrounding characters are also entertaining.

You can watch the first episode here.

 

2. "Love Playlist 4"

When: 2019

Cast: Lee YooJin, Park JungWoo, Kim SaeRon, Bae HyunSung, Park ShiAhn, Kim HyungSuk, Jung ShinHye

Summary: The love stories of university students in a relatable melodrama.

Why watch?: "Love Playlist" has four seasons, they are all good but the fourth is especially entertaining (you can start from the fourth without understanding issues). This college web drama is focusing on various characters with their own particular issues and it has different love stories. "Love Playlist" story looks authentic and relatable. If you are curious about real Korean university students' life, this is for you.

You can watch the first episode here.

 

3. "XX"

When: 2020

Cast: EXID's Hani, Hwang SeungEon, Bae InHyuk, Lee JongWon

Summary: It tells the story of the best bartender of the industry who is working in a speakeasy bar. She solves the problems of the couples and is overcoming her past love wounds.

Why watch?: Have you ever been betrayed by your friend or ex? Then, you would completely relate to this interesting web drama. The addictive plot focuses on revenge but also healing and moving onto a new relationship. The male lead is eye-candy and the drama is set in a bar which is quite unique.

You can watch the first episode here.

 

4. "Twenty Twenty"

When: 2020

Cast: UP10TION's Kim WooSeok, Han SungMin, Park SangNam, Jin HoEun, Chae WonBin, A.C.E's Chan

Summary: It tells the dream and love of twenty-year-olds who share the realistic problems that they face as they just became adults. Lee HyunJin and Chae DaHee meet and start to mature together by creating their own boundaries.

Why watch?: This web drama is perfect for those of you who are looking for a college romance web drama. The drama is not only about romance but also about growth and familial issues. Each character is finding their true self in this drama. The directing is also particularly good and the secondary characters are funny.

You can watch the first episode here.

 

5. "One Fine Week"

When: 2019

Cast: Lovelyz's JiSoo, Former MYTEEN's Shin JunSeop, Supernova's Park GeonIl 

Summary: DaEun works part-time and Kim Byul is an idol in her 5th year since debut. These two girls who look alike decide to change each other's lives just for 7 days. It tells the romantic encounters of these 2 girls.

Why watch?: This drama might be a simple and cute love story but it is addictive and romantic. Moreover, it is about K-Pop idols' lives, a subject that interests many. It is worth watching if you are looking for a captivating love story. The male lead is also charming.

You can watch the first episode here.

 

6. "Ending Again"

When: 2020

Cast: Jo SooMin, Kang Hui, Kim GunWon

Summary: It tells the fraud marriage romance of two persons who do not want to marry but decided to get married to get be able to receive the "Newlyweds jeonse loan" [e.g. governmental financial support for newly married couples to help them rent houses].

Why watch?: The story is intriguing and there is good chemistry between the leads. It is not a comedy as it is more on the emotional side. If you are looking for something quite new with a college love story, you might want to watch this one.

You can watch the first episode here.

 

7. "Best Mistake 2"

When: 2020

Cast: Lee EunJae, Kang Yul, Lee JungJun, Park EHyun, THE MAN BLK's Yoon JunWon, THE MAN BLK's Choe ChanYi, Ju HyunYoung, Yang YuJin, Keum DongHyun

Summary: It tells the love and friendship stories of teens. It is a new semester with new faces. YeonDoo is now in the last year of high school. Her life is complicated with misunderstandings and conflicts. What should she choose love or friendship?

Why watch?: "Best Mistake" (season 1 and 2) is a drama for those who are looking for a simple and cute teen love story. Don't watch if you are looking for something serious and if you don't like cheesy content. The drama touches on teens' friendship, trust, fight, love, and more in an engaging story and lovable characters. "Best Mistake 3" is as good.

You can watch the first episode here.

 

8. “The World Of My 17"

When: 2020

Cast: OH MY GIRL's Arin, Hwang BoReumByeol, FANATICS's DoAh, Han ChaeKyung, RyeoUn, Kwon HyunBin (VIINI)

Summary: Through the stories of friendship and growth of high school friends, it tells the lovely story of school days when friends are one's whole world.

Why watch?: As someone who did not read the webtoon, the story about these four cute girls with their friendship and love stories is cute. The characters were fun and the overall story is interesting. If you are looking for a high school web drama, this is a good one.

You can watch the first episode here.

 

9. "Queen of the Ring"

When: 2017

Cast: Kim SeulGi, Ahn HyoSeop, Yoon SoHee

Summary: It tells the romance of a girl who thinks she is unattractive. She receives a secret ring from her family that changed her appearance and starts to get the attention of a handsome and cold guy.

Why watch?: This fantasy drama has a good plot that questions a society judging people's appearance but don't expect the plot to be too deep. It is an easy-to-watch and catchy love story.

It is available on NaverTV.

 

10. "beautiology101"

When: 2016

Cast: Han JiEun, Kim JaeYoung, JinHyuk, Lee ChulWoo, Choi JiHun

Summary: It is a beauty drama that tells the story of young people in the "K-Beauty School".

Why watch?: This drama was made to promote the makeup brand Innisfree but the whole story and characters are so interesting that it worth watching. If you are interested in makeup, this is pretty much a must-watch.

You can watch the first episode here.

 

11. "The Way I Hate You"

When: 2019

Cast: NCT's JaeMin, Kim JeeIn, Lee JongWon, Kim YooJin

Summary: It is a college campus romance with freshmen's love and friendships. It tells the story of MiRi who is worrying between love and friendship as she started to like her best friend's boyfriend.

Why watch?: It is a cute and short love story of college students that will make you smile with their heart fluttering scenes.

You can watch the first episode here.

 

12. "Splash Splash Love"

When: 2015

Cast: Highlight's Yoon DooJoon, Kim SeulGi

Summary: It is the fantasy growth drama of the high school student DanBi who arrived in the Joseon dynasty through the rain and met the king.

Why watch?: If you are looking for good laughter and a sweet love story, this is for you. The web drama is adorable and the leads have great chemistry.

It is available on NaverTV.

 

13. "Love Revolution"

When: 2020

Cast: Park JiHoon, THE BOYZ's YoungHoon, Lee RuBy, Jung DaEun, WJSN 's DaYoung, Ko ChanBin, Ahn DoGyu

Summary: "Love Revolution" tells the love story of the couple Gong JuYoung and Wang JaRim while depicting realistically the teen's lives with their love, friendship, study, and dream.

Why watch?: Are you looking for a cute and cheesy web drama to make you giggles and smile? Search no more, "Love Revolution" is for you! The web drama is based on a popular webtoon, and this may be why all its characters are fun. Gong JuYoung (Park JiHoon), the cuteeest boy ever, is the story's highlight. He is never short of confessing his love for Wang JaRim (Lee RuBy) and makes us all laugh.

 

 

14. "Semantic Error"

When: 2022

Cast: Park SeoHam, DKZ’s JaeChan

Summary: A campus romance about the inflexible SangWoo and his encounter with the campus’ most popular student, JaeYoung.

Why watch?: BL fan or not, this is a must-see! This web drama received a lot of love and was even released in the movie theater in Korea following its popularity. Two handsome university students that everything opposes fall in love with each other and show one of the best chemistry on screen. The story might be a deja-vu, but this drama will teach you not to stop at its summary.

 

15. "Be My Boyfriend"

When: 2021

Cast: Lee SiWoo, Shin HyunSeung, Cherry Bullet's YuJu, Im SungKyun, A.C.E's Kim ByeongKwan, Jung BoMin

Summary: Lee SeungMin is a common boy with no presence and he has a crush on the most popular girl in school Oh JiNa. One day she suddenly suggests starting a contract relationship with him. Can SeungMin and JiNa safely end their contract relationship and start a real relationship?

Why watch?: "Be My Boyfriend?" is a KOKTV high school love story of quality. This is not for you if you expect to find something completely new. But if you are looking for a really cute love story and male lead (yes, no tsundere here), you must watch. It is entertaining and relatable.

You can watch the first episode here.

 

16. "User Not Found"

When: 2021-2022

Cast: CIX’s Bae JinYoung, Shin SoHyun, Han YeJi, Jung HyunJi, Ahn SeMin

Summary: MinJae, who made all kinds of efforts dreaming of becoming an insider full of presence at school, feels that everything has changed since she first transferred. Isn't the prettiest girl in school asking to be friends with her? That is until she gets entangled in a provocative skinship rumor with the most popular guy at Woojeong High School. It turned out that all of these incidents happened because people misunderstood MinJae for another girl with the same name "Yoo Minjae.” Can MinJae finish her school life as an insider safely without being caught by anyone?

Why watch?: "User Not Found" is one more KOKTV romance high school web drama on this list. This drama has more depth than you would expect with topics such as acceptance of oneself, past trauma, social media, etc. The primary purpose of watching is the growth of the lead character and her love story. The mysterious two leads also help in making you curious about the characters.

You can watch the first episode here.

 

You can also recommend the dramas you liked to readers through the poll and the comments. (Note that "Love Revolution", "Semantic Error", "Be My Boyfriend" and "User Not Found" were added later than the other dramas in the poll.)