The legacy of Kpop extends beyond the songs themselves. It’s the intense music videos, the choreography, the live events, as well as the performers’ personalities and connections. However, these Korean groups don’t just involve their natives’ individuals; they also include a range of international idols based in Korea. Although reaching the height of being known to be an idol, an inspiration for many is not easy. But it’s way more difficult for an outsider to achieve it. Thus, we present to you the most popular K-pop idols who are foreigners.
If we talk about the fame of these idols, it’s more or less the same for the native as well as the foreign idols. It’s evidently seen how the K-pop fanbase does not judge their idols on any basis, they solely acknowledge and appreciate the efforts put in by each member of the industry.
Tzuyu of Twice
Born in East District, Tainan, Taiwan, Chou Tzu-yu, popularly known by her stage name Tzuyu, is a Korean-based Taiwanese singer. She is prominently known as the lead dancer, sub-vocalist, and visual for the South Korean girl band ‘Twice’.
The ‘Yoda’ of K-pop, Tzuyu was nicknamed by her bandmate Jisoo for her pointy ears and wide, gorgeous eyes, which have evoked similarities to Yoda, the iconic Jedi Master from Star Wars.
She debuted under JYP Entertainment as a member of Twice in October 2015. Their first EP ‘The Story Begins’ was like a lucky charm for the group. The title track of the EP debuted as the first k-pop song to reach 100 million views on Youtube. Tzuyu rose to fame after the group’s hit EP. In 2016, she was also ranked as the third most popular idol among South Koreans.
Lisa Of Blackpink
Born in Buriram, Thailand, Lalisa Manobal, professionally known by her stage name Lisa, is a Korean Based Thai rapper, singer, and dancer. She is prominently known as the main rapper and main dancer of the South Korean band ‘Blackpink’.
Know for her breathtaking dancing skills, she is not only famous in Korea and Thailand but also globally. She is also been recently awarded as the Best Newcomer in ‘Bravo Otto’ (2022).
She debuted under YG Entertainment as a member of Blackpink in August 2016. She also recently debuted as a soloist with her album ‘Lalisa’ which garnered her huge success. The album sold over 736,000 copies in its first week in South Korea, making her the first female singer to accomplish so.
Jackson Wang of Got7
Born in Kowloon Tong, British Hong Kong, Wang Ka-Yee, popularly known by his stage name Jackson Wang, is a Chinese as well as Korean-based Hong Kong rapper, singer, fashion designer, and dancer. He is prominently known as the main rapper, lead dancer, and the face of Got7. He is also known for his exceptional performances as part of the hip-hop Chinese band Panthepack.
Having a huge fan following not only in Korea and China but also worldwide, Jackson is known to be one of the most popular K-pop idols. As icing on the cake, he is also known as one of the most well-known foreign K-pop idols.
He debuted under JYP Entertainment as a member of Got7 in January 2014. We’re sure you guys are not at all aware of this exceptional singer’s former sports side, he has been on china’s national fencing team and is known to have earned the gold medal in Asian Games.
Yuta of Nct
Born in Kadoma, Osaka, Japan, Yuta Nakamoto, professionally known by his stage name Yuta, is a Korean-based Japanese singer, dancer, radio personality, rapper, and model. He is prominently known as the lead dancer and sub-vocalist of the South Korean boy band ‘Nct’.
Known to be one of the major bookworms of K-pop, he is a passionate reader and is seen to be always eager to learn about all sorts of new things. He’s also made an appearance on ‘Abnormal Summit, a show depicting non-Korean men residing in South Korea.
He debuted in March 2018 as a member of NCT releasing their first full album which garnered the group huge success. The album ranked second on the Oricon Weekly Albums chart. Not only a member of this iconic boy band, but Yuta is also famous for his own radio show ‘NCT Yuta At Home‘.
Joshua Seventeen
Born in Los Angeles, California, the United States, Hong Jisoo, professionally known by his stage name Joshua, is a Korean-based American singer, and performer. He is prominently known as the lead vocalist, and visual of the South Korean boy band ‘SEVENTEEN’.
Known to be the master of acrostic poems, Joshua is an outstanding singer famous for his calm personality and soothing voice. He is not only an exceptional singer but also has been appreciated for his acting gigs. He’s known to have made cameos in some dramas as well as Tv shows.
Joshua debuted under Pledis Entertainment as a member of SEVENTEENwith their first EP 17 Carat in May 2015. The album went on to become the longest-charting K-pop album of the year in the United States. In addition to this, it was the only debut album to appear in Billboard’s ’10 Best K-Pop Albums of 2015′ rankings.
Nichkhun of 2 pm
Born in Rancho Cucamonga, California, the United States, Nichkhun Buck Horvejkul, professionally known by his stage name Nichkhun, is a Korean-based Thai American singer, songwriter, rapper, actor, and model. He is prominently known as the vocalist, rapper, and visual of the South Korean boy band ‘2 pm’.
Known to be one of the most successful foreign celebrities in Korea, Nichkhun is recognized by his huge fanbase for his charismatic as well as romantic personality.
He debuted under JYP Entertainment as a member of 2 pm, a band known for its distinctive tough and macho beast-like image. He is also acknowledged for his works as a soloist. Among his well-known pieces include- ‘Home’, ‘Lucky Charm’, ‘Jealous’, and ‘Umbrella’.
Krystal Jung of f(x)
Born in San Francisco, California, the United States, Chrystal Soo Jung, popularly known by her stage name Krystal Jung, is a Korean-based American singer and actress. She is prominently known as the lead vocalist, visual, and face of the South Korean girl band ‘f(x)’.
Mistakenly known to be a cold-hearted celebrity, Krystal actually carries a very warm persona. But unlike most public figures she is known to be an overthinker who easily gets affected by the negative comments spread by the audience. Her fans refer to her as the actual “Goddess of brain and beauty.” She is currently receiving truckloads of love from the audience for her awestruck performance in the ongoing KBS2 drama ‘Crazy Love’.
She debuted as a member of f(x) with their first single ‘La Cha Ta’ in September 2009. Apart from being an exemplary singer, she’s also one of the most famous actresses in the Korean industry. Some of her well-known dramas include- ‘The Bride of Habaek’, ‘Prison Playbook’, ‘My Lovely Girl’, and ‘Player’.
Minnie of (G)I-DLE
Born in Bangkok, Thailand, Nicha Yontarak, better known by her stage name Minnie, is a Korean-based Thai singer, songwriter, and actress. She is prominently known as the main vocalist of the South Korean girl band ‘(G)I-DLE’.
Famous for her textured and unique vocals, Minnie is one of the up-and-coming foreign stars in the K-pop industry. She has credited her mother’s influence for her immense love for music. She made her acting debut with the Netflix sitcom So Not Worth It in September 2020 where she plays a version similar to herself, a Thai girl in love with K-Dramas.
The group debuted with a mini-album called I Am and made a quantum leap into the K-Pop world with their title song Latata. Minnie was highly praised for her voice in the song. They are intensely involved in the music-making process, unlike other K-Pop groups. They are one of the most popular and successful girl groups who are not signed to the ‘big three’ labels.
Lay of EXO
Born in Changsha, Hunan, China, Zhang Yixing, professionally known by his stage name Lay, is a Korean-based Chinese rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, director, dancer, and actor. He is prominently known as the Main Dancer, Sub Vocalist, Sub Rapper of the South Korean boy band ‘EXO’.
Known for his prankster personality, Lay has a fun-loving and humorous soul. He loves his food- whether it is eating junk or cooking up his own meals. He associates himself with sheep, his Chinese zodiac sign, and even has a single titled the same in his solo album. His fans lovingly call him ‘little sheep’. He is widely loved by both his Chinese and Korean fans and has also made a name for himself worldwide.
He debuted under SM Entertainment in the hugely popular K-Pop boy group Exo and its sub-unit Exo-M in 2012. Exo-M mainly performed in Mandarin while their counterparts were Exo-K who performed in Korean. They rose to the top of the charts with their breakthrough single Growl. In April of 2022, in a heartfelt handwritten note to his fans, Lay announced his departure from SM Entertainment but maintained that he is still a part of EXO.
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Also Read: Most Popular K-Pop Idols Born in April – A Brief Look
