With the K-pop world always seeking to be different or bring something different in the marketplace, it’s an accident that they’re constantly seeking trainees to hire, so what better way to discover talent than to broaden the field by looking beyond South Korea?
As the industry gains popularity, the need for many outside South Korea to make their debut also grows.
How about naming your favorite idol? Within seconds, our random Kpop group name generator can provide you with an array of Kpop group name ideas.
We’ve compiled an alphabetical list of K-pop idols that aren’t from South Korea – some of these names might surprise you!
K-pop Artists Not Ethnically Korean
1. Lisa (Blackpink)
Lalisa Manoban (or Lisa) was born in Thailand and the Buriram Province. She is fluent in English, Thai, Japanese, and Korean. Fun fact: Lisa was the first non-ethnic Korean participant to sign up with YG Entertainment and make their debut.
2. ViVi (LOONA)
It is believed that LOONA’s ViVi was born in Hong Kong’s Tuen Mun District of Hong Kong. She is Wong Ka Shei, and she worked as a trainee for Polaris Entertainment before being transferred to BlockBerry Creative (a subsidiary of Polaris). ViVi was eventually an official member of LOONA.
She can speak English, Cantonese, and Korean.
3. Lucas (NCT)
With 23 members of NCT, It’s not a surprise that a lot of them come from countries other than South Korea. Lucas or Wong Yukhei is an ethnically Chinese-Thai.
The man was raised in Hong Kong’s Sha Tin District of Hong Kong and is fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, English, Korean, and Thai.
4. Sorn (CLC)
Sorn, also known as Chonnasorn Sajakul, is originally from Thailand, particularly Bangkok. She relocated from Thailand to South Korea as a trainee under Cube Entertainment after winning the first season of tvN’s Kpop Star Hunt. She is fluent in English, Korean, Mandarin, and Thai.
5. Momo (TWICE)
The TWICE member hails born in Kyotanabe, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. The full title of her name is Momo Hirai. She relocated from Japan to South Korea in 2012 to become a K-pop idol trainee with JYP Entertainment and eventually debuted as a member of TWICE in the year 2015. She is fluent in Japanese as well as Korean.
6. BamBam (Got7)
BamBam or Kunpimook Bhuwakul is a different K-pop icon from Bangkok, Thailand. He and Lisa were part of the same dance troupe working in their native country and remained in contact.
He relocated from South Korea to be a trainee at JYP Entertainment at 13. The K-pop star is fluent in Korean, English, and Thai.
7. Fatou (BLACKSWAN)
The BLACKSWAN’s Fatou was born in Yoff, Dakar, Senegal. Her real title is Samba Fatou Diouf. The rapper, singer, and dancer are fluent in French, English, German, Dutch, and Korean.
8. Lay Zhang (EXO)
The K-pop and C-pop star originates initially from Changsha, Hunan, China. His identity is Zhang Yixing. Lay relocated to South Korea after passing SM Entertainment’s auditions for trainees in 2008. He is fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Japanese, and English.
9. The8 (Seventeen)
K-pop superstar, The8, is Chinese and was born in Anshan, Liaoning, China. He picked the number 8 as his stage name, which is believed lucky for China. The performer can communicate in Mandarin, Cantonese, as well as Korean.
10. Amber Liu (f(x))
Amber Is Taiwanese and American. Her parents are from Taiwan; however, she was raised in America. United States. Amber was hired as a trainee by SM Entertainment in 2009 and debuted a year later with f(x). The singer is proficient in Korean, Japanese, English, and Mandarin.
