For years, Southeast Asia has been a hotbed of passionate K-pop fandoms, with millions of devoted fans streaming music, buying out concert tickets within minutes, and fueling global trends. Now, SM Entertainment is turning that hype into an opportunity, not just for fans of the genre but for aspiring idols!
With the launch of SM Universe, the company’s first K-pop training academy in Southeast Asia, aspiring stars no longer have to journey to South Korea to chase their dreams. Set to open at *SCAPE, Singapore in June of this year, the academy offers an immersive education with a 21-week course focusing on vocals, dance, music production, and stage presence. The course’s climax is a final training week at SM Universe’s Seoul campus, where top students have the chance to audition for South Korea’s entertainment agencies.
By bringing high-quality training closer to home, SM Entertainment is tapping into an ever-growing talent pool and, perhaps, grooming the future of global K-pop. With a number of prominent K-pop idols originating from Southeast Asia, such as Lisa (리사) from Blackpink (블랙핑크) and Gehlee (젤리) from Unis (유니스), the global demand for idols from various backgrounds has proven to be the next step in the evolution of the genre, where inclusivity is prized.
“SM Universe is excited to expand into Southeast Asia and nurture new talent. This academy will provide aspiring K-pop artists in the region with a world-class education and serve as a springboard for their international careers”, stated Jaewon Jang, SM Universe’s chief executive.
Data from Spotify reveals an astonishing 423 percent rise in K-pop music streaming in Southeast Asia between 2018 and 2023, signifying the genre’s growing popularity in the music industry. Recent years have shown a steady rise of K-pop artist debuts and successes in the West, with idols maintaining rankings on Billboard 100.
Will the next big K-pop group feature more Southeast Asian idols? Will this academy break the glass ceiling for a more inclusive lineup in the highly-competitive industry? The future and evolution of K-pop begins now, with the recognition that talent has no borders. For many young dreamers in Southeast Asia, the journey to K-pop stardom has just gotten a little closer to home.
Sources: The Straits Times, Manila Bulletin
Alyssa Gabrielle contributed to this article
