Singapore's next K-pop idols pick up moves in first Southeast Asian academy
Singapore 's Orchard Road, Gabriella Tjokrohadi moves through a carefully practised routine as an instructor calls out cues in Korean. When the music cuts, she rushes to the camera to study the footage, scrutinising every angle, posture and facial expression.
The 25-year-old Indonesian has long dreamed of breaking into
South Korea 's entertainment industry. But instead of Seoul, her journey has led her to Singapore – home to
Southeast Asia 's first K-pop training academy, opened in June by SM Entertainment, the company behind acts like Girls' Generation and
Exo
Tjokrohadi received a S$500 (US$390) scholarship from SM to attend a week-long boot camp – a crash course in the Korean idol system, combining intense dance and vocal sessions with lessons on videography, modelling and media presence. The grant did not cover travel or housing, so she stayed with a friend to keep costs down.
'Twenty-five is considered old in the industry,' she said. 'As long as I have the chance, I'm always willing to take it.'
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