Edited by Han Sung Soo
Translated by Eungee Joh
Looking back at the history of Korean pop music, we must recognize the diverse contributions made by artists with global backgrounds. Through shows like Superstar K and K-Pop Star, Korean musicians who grew up outside of Korea have made a significant impact on the music scene. John Park, Kevin Oh, Eric Nam, and many others have charmed audiences with their unique talents and personal touches in songwriting and composition. Beyond the music industry, these artists continue to shine in various entertainment programs, showcasing their charisma in diverse genres. Let’s explore these talented individuals who deserve attention in the current music landscape.
1. HUNJIYA
HUNJIYA, signed under PAIX PER MIL, was raised in New York with her artist mother’s influence and kickstarted her career by winning The Johnny Mercer Songwriting Project. Through SoundCloud, she caught MILLIC’s attention and released her EP KHAMAI in Korea. She’s now collaborating with Korean artists like MILLIC, pH-1, and Jeminai, showcasing her talent.
2. DeVita
DeVita, an artist under AOMG, immigrated to the United States at a young age and gained recognition for her music on SoundCloud. She started to garner attention through the Korean audition program K Pop Star and is now one of the most anticipated artists in AOMG.
3. AleXa
Alexa, who gained recognition by starring in Producer 48, was born to a Russian-American father and a Korean-American mother. Growing up in Oklahoma, she won the American NBC’s America’s Song Contest and is known to have a strong fan base overseas, even more so than in Korea.
4. SION
SION, under the label Beautiful Noise, was born in Bielefeld, Germany. He is the youngest semi-finalist on The Voice of Germany 10, and given that he is only 19 years old, there are even higher expectations for his career.
These singer-songwriters with international backgrounds bring diversity to the K-pop stage by infusing their music with their unique experiences and perspectives. They have not only resonated with fans in Korea but also gained international followers, contributing to the global appeal of K-pop as a genre.
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