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
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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!
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