The 5th generation of K-Pop is all the rage right now and dominating this generation as one of the top rising groups is none other than RIIZE. With talented members, gorgeous visuals, and addictive music, RIIZE is steadily making their mark on the industry. Their latest comeback with the prologue single 'Impossible' was a house track that featured outstanding choreography, and the member who caught fans' attention the most with his unmatched dancing skills was Shotaro.

Thoroughly impressed by Shotaro's flawless talent, we were left wanting more. So, it got us thinking about a dream variety show where Shotaro could collaborate with fellow K-Pop idols who were also known for their incredible skills.

So, here are the top 5 idol dancers we would love to see collab with RIIZE's Shotaro!

1. Shotaro x SHINee's TaeMin

RIIZE on X / TaeMin's Instagram

The person who wants this collaboration even more than us is probably Shotaro himself. TaeMin is Shotaro's role model and as we all know, TaeMin is one of the best, if not THE best dancer in K-Pop. A collaboration between the reigning King and a rising Prince would be fantastic, to say the least. Both dancers have their own unique groove and style that, we believe, would complement each other wonderfully.

2. Shotaro x SEVENTEEN's Hoshi

RIIZE on X / Hoshi's Instagram

Another dancing machine whose talent knows no bounds, Hoshi would be perfect for a dance collaboration with Shotaro. With both Hoshi and Shotaro being sunshine personified, this collab would break the internet for being the coolest and the cutest at the same time. We can already imagine the two idols getting along well together and we would love to see them come up with an original choreography.

3. Shotaro x EXO's Lay Zhang

RIIZE on X / Lay's Instagram

If we're talking about the best of the best when it comes to dance, we cannot possibly forget Lay Zhang. The idol recently made his comeback on Korean music shows with his latest song 'Psychic'. With the man, the myth, and the legend back, we would love to see him dance with SM's rising star, Shotaro. From one dance prodigy to another, this could be a collaboration that's truly one of a kind.

4. Shotaro x KISS OF LIFE's Natty

RIIZE on X / Natty's Instagram

Widely recognized as one of the it-girls of K-Pop right now, Natty is an outstanding dancer, to say the least. A collaboration between the two 5th-generation dance icons - Natty and Shotaro, would make the headlines for days. Both artists have a knack for a variety of dance styles and are known for their high-energy, precise performances. We'd love to see a fusion of different dance styles from them.

5. Shotaro x New:ID's Wilson

RIIZE on X / New:ID's Instagram

Currently a trainee under MLD Entertainment, New:ID's Wilson is already gaining attention from all over the world for his dance skills. New:ID's SNS is buzzing with dance cover videos and fans just can't get enough of Wilson's moves. Collaborating with Shotaro would be a great opportunity for Wilson to learn from his sunbaenim and give us even more reasons to fall in love with both of them all over again.

Which K-Pop idol do you want to see Shotaro collaborate with? Tell us on X!

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!