With its first episode dropping in July 2023, "JaeFriends" has quickly climbed towards the top of watchlists worldwide. It bridges the gap between long time K-Pop fans and the new generation. The YouTube variety, with its host Kim JaeJoong, has become a beloved talk show that many wholeheartedly enjoy.

This week, viewers were delighted to see the legendary artist meet rising rookies: KISS OF LIFE. Joined by two of their members, Natty and Belle, this episode once again acted as a personal serotonin boost, bringing smiles and laughter to those on set and everyone watching from home.

Episode 29 of "JaeFriends" was an undeniable heaping of fun. So with that in mind, here's just a few revitalizing interactions that occurred between JaeJoong and the lovely rookies.

1. Speechless In Front Of A Superstar

It's difficult to deny the impact Kim JaeJoong has had on the K-Pop industry. He is considered by many a legend and a walking blueprint of what it means to be an idol. Seeing how both Belle and Natty became so shy in front of the superstar is heartwarming to say the least.

Everything from their facial expressions to their body language just screams how much they like JaeJoong as his passionate fans. Even we have to admit, if a superstar like JaeJoong stood in front of us, we would be at a loss for words too!

2. The Cleopatra Game

The objective of the Cleopatra Game is to take turns saying a phrase, with every person going one octave higher than the last. With three outstanding  vocalists, expectations were already high from the start. As usual, the first round was the easiest, with JaeJoong, Belle, and Natty effortlessly hitting each syllable. However, JaeJoong soon found out that he was no match for the two female vocalists.

After Natty reached whistle-level octaves, the iconic star immediately put an end to the game, causing everyone to burst out into laughter. Although the game doesn't last too long, don't be surprised if you put it on loop out of pure awe.

3. JaeJoong Teaching Japanese

JaeJoong, Belle, and Natty quickly established that they're masters of three different languages, outside of Korean. Knowing this, they decide to learn a word or phrase from each other's respective languages. When it came to JaeJoong, he went ahead and taught the KISS OF LIFE members a phrase in Japanese: 'Daisukidayo', or 'I like you'.

Hearing this, Natty and Belle went into a frenzy, their faces flushed red in embarrassment. They were unable to hide their outright joy from hearing those words from JaeJoong, even if it was a small learning session. Considering JaeJoong's honey-like voice, it seems only natural for the two rookies to react this way.

This episode of "JaeFriends" was amazing to watch and if you're curious about what else happened, check it out down below!

What was your favorite moment from this week's episode of "JaeFriends" featuring KISS OF LIFE's Natty and Belle?

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!

Who's the hottest "it girl" of K-Pop's 5th generation? It's KISS OF LIFE's Natty, of course! For new K-Pop fans, Natty broke into the K-Pop scene like a force to be reckoned with. She has the most effortless confidence and energy and is equipped with a certain finesse and poise that generally comes with years of experience. What many might not know is that the idol isn't quite a rookie in the industry, and her long journey to debut is proving to be worth all the toil because KISS OF LIFE is one of the best 5th generation K-Pop groups right now, earning global praise. If you want to know more about the heart-warming past of KISS OF LIFE member Natty, keep reading!

KISS OF LIFE on X

Born Anatchaya Suputhipong, Natty had a penchant for dance from a very young age. She learned rhythmic gymnastics and took dance lessons before deciding to reach for her dream of becoming a K-Pop idol. Soon enough, she was accepted as a trainee at SM Entertainment, where she trained for about one to two months. At that time, Natty was living in the same dorm as the Red Velvet members.

In 2013, when Natty was only 11 years old, she passed the JYP audition and started training under the company. Two years later, at 13 years old, Natty was first introduced to the public eye through the reality show "Sixteen", which formed the iconic girl group TWICE. She instantly drew viewers' attention, and even though she didn't make it into the final lineup, she had already made a place for herself in the hearts of fans who were rooting for her.

In 2017, Natty participated in another idol survival show called "Idol School", but unfortunately, did not make the cut to be in the final group fromis_9. However, with her improved dance and vocal skills on full display, Natty successfully established a dedicated fanbase. Naturally, fans were heartbroken at the result, even more so when it was revealed that "Idol School" was one of the reality shows affected by the Mnet vote manipulation scandal.

Nevertheless, Natty was not to be deterred. She moved to Stone Music Entertainment and later its exclusive label Swing Entertainment, where Natty made her highly anticipated solo debut with the single album "Nineteen". The song of the same name has since attained legendary status, earning Natty international acclaim as well as much love and respect from Korean netizens as she appeared on several variety shows. Natty quickly endeared herself to a wider audience, and all eyes were on Natty for her first comeback.

Natty's first solo comeback came with 'Teddy Bear', where her fresh, youthful, and delicate charms shone brightly, raising expectations for her future as a soloist even more. However, with a lack of further news, fans, who were now called "TwiNny", gradually became uncertain about Natty's activities. After a period of radio silence, the queen emerged once more, this time signed to S2 Entertainment.

Now, what's so special about S2 Entertainment, you might ask. Well, Natty's fellow "Idol School" contestant, Lee HaeIn, is the Creative Director of S2 Entertainment and personally recruited Natty to be a part of the company's future girl group, which would be KISS OF LIFE. By offering to nurture Natty's unique individuality and artistry, even encouraging her interest in songwriting and composition, HaeIn brought Natty on board, giving her a fresh start in the industry.

On July 5, 2023, KISS OF LIFE officially debuted with a self-titled mini-album. The group prefaced this debut with solo music videos of each member, out of which Natty sang 'Sugarcoat', setting off the group's worldview and giving us a whole new version of herself. Not only did Natty's gorgeous visuals catch the eye of K-Pop fans, but her skills reached a whole new level of perfection, reflecting the decade-long hard work and unstilted effort she poured into mastering her art. The K-Pop industry was witnessing an ace reborn, and we were oh so ready for it.

Korean netizens were calling Natty the "next BoA", thanks to her refined vocals and distinctive tone, and comparisons to diva and icon Lee HyoRi were also drawn, given Natty's undeniable charisma and stage presence. Her image and styling underwent a complete rebranding, and this time, it seemed to perfectly match Natty's true self.

It was evident that Natty was thriving, both creatively and otherwise, giving us the impression that she had finally reached the peak of her potential, which would also be a new starting point for her to evolve from. Needless to say, it didn't take us long to see just how fast Natty was growing, as KISS OF LIFE made their first comeback with their second mini-album "Born to Be XX". Natty participated in writing the lyrics for the song 'My 808' on this album, showing immense prospect as a singer-songwriter.

Natty's Instagram

Right now, Natty is the talk of the town, the woman of the hour, enchanting K-Pop fans with her captivating allure that keeps getting more and more irresistible. Standing in her power, basking in her own glory, Natty is only getting started and we cannot begin to imagine what she has in store for us next. If Natty was K-Pop's princess before, with KISS OF LIFE, she is coming for the throne and we will gladly bow to her greatness.