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New Paper
13-08-2025
- Entertainment
- New Paper
K-pop girl groups are taking over Singapore amid KPop Demon Hunters craze
The season of K-pop girl groups is officially upon Singapore. Not only have fictional trio Huntrix from the hit animated movie KPop Demon Hunters become the first girl group to hit No. 1 on US Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart - for their ubiquitous banger Golden - since America's Destiny's Child almost 25 years ago, but a slew of South Korean all-female acts are also set to perform in Singapore every month until the end of 2025. Le Sserafim and Stayc lead the charge on Aug 16 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium and The Star Theatre respectively. The 2025 edition of music festival Waterbomb Singapore features five girl groups - 2NE1, Exid, Team Bebe, Jam Republic, and Sorn and Seungyeon, formerly from CLC - at Sentosa's Siloso Beach on Aug 30 and 31. I-dle will take the stage at the Bubbling & Boiling Music and Arts Festival Singapore at Resorts World Ballroom on Sept 13, while Twice's two-night gig will be held at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Oct 11 and 12. The monthly K-pop girl group takeover in Singapore culminates in Blackpink's two sold-out concerts at the National Stadium on Nov 29 and 30. Singaporean polytechnic student Qti Tan cannot wait. The 17-year-old nabbed $308 Cat 2 tickets for Blackpink's Nov 29 show, and is trying her luck for the second date. In addition, she is hoping for some last-minute luck to attend Le Sserafim's upcoming sold-out gig and wishes to see Twice - tickets to which will be released from Aug 14. Qti tells The Straits Times: "There are so many girl groups coming, it is hard to choose. I am super excited, and it feels like I'm spoilt for choice, but my wallet is crying." Blackpink members (from left) Lisa, Jisoo, Rose and Jennie performing at the Citi Field baseball stadium in New York City in July as part of their Deadline world tour. PHOTO: YG ENTERTAINMENT OTT video-streaming service Viu Singapore, the organiser of Waterbomb Singapore 2025, has noticed a resurgence in the popularity of K-pop girl groups in 2025, says Mr Anson Tan, country head for Viu Singapore. In his view, a key factor driving this renewed interest is the increased visibility of female idols beyond the music stage. "Many are now taking on acting and hosting roles, appearing in high-profile dramas and variety shows. This crossover into mainstream entertainment allows audiences to connect with these artistes on a deeper level, sparking fresh engagement and curiosity." There has been growing viewer interest in content featuring idols turned actresses and hosts, reflecting the evolving appetite of local audiences for multifaceted storytelling within the K-pop universe, Mr Tan notes. For example, Girls' Generation's Sooyoung starred in the romantic comedy series Second Shot At Love (2025), while Apink's Eunji is the leading lady in the fitness-themed series Pump Up The Healthy Love (2025). Girls' Generation's Sooyoung stars in the romantic comedy series Second Shot At Love (2025). PHOTO: TVN Ive's An Yu-jin has been part of all three seasons of variety show Earth Arcade (2022 to 2025), while Oh My Girl's Arin and I.O.I's Chaeyeon have had lead roles in original productions such as My Girlfriend Is The Man (2025) and Family By Choice (2024), under the Viu Original initiative. Waterbomb Singapore, which is part of the Viu Scream Dates initiative, is designed to reflect a full spectrum of what excites K-pop fans today, Mr Tan adds. "Fans of first- and second-generation girl groups can look forward to 2NE1 and Exid, who have helped shape K-pop since its early days. Among the girl groups performing at Waterbomb Singapore 2025 are South Korean girl group Exid, comprising (clockwise from left) Solji, Elly, Jeonghwa, Hyelin and Hani. PHOTO: VIU SINGAPORE "Sorn and Seungyeon are a duo that many fans have been looking forward to seeing since their CLC days. "In addition, Team Bebe and Jam Republic are dance crews and contestants from dance reality show Street Woman Fighter 2 (2023), a programme which has been very popular among Viu audiences. In this way, this year's line-up reflects a sense of nostalgia and that of K-pop's evolution." K-pop training academy SM Universe (Singapore), which opened its doors at *Scape in June, has also noted that fourth and fifth generations of K-pop girl groups are coming in hot. Members (top row, from left) Tatter, Cheche, Sowon, (middle row from left) Kyma, Lusher, Minah and (bottom) Bada from South Korean female dance crew Team Bebe. PHOTO: VIU SINGAPORE The school's marketing director Rachel Lee feels they have always played a crucial role in K-pop, but those among the current wave do not focus solely on visuals or performance. Instead, they have strong concepts, distinct personalities and genre-blending music, which are drawing more fans than before. "In 2025, girl groups are putting on an extremely strong showing, often rivalling and even surpassing their boy band counterparts in terms of global reach, engagement and digital consumption." Apart from the improved production quality of their music videos and live performances, more have diverse compositions, allowing them to be more inclusive and relatable. Take, for example, Los Angeles-based Katseye, who made their debut in 2024 after being formed via the 2023 reality competition series Dream Academy, a collaboration between Hybe Corporation and Geffen Records. They are billed as a "global" girl group, with members from the Philippines, South Korea, Switzerland and the United States. One member, Megan, is half-Singaporean. With the release of two EPs - SIS (Soft Is Strong) (2024) and Beautiful Chaos (2025) - that spawned breakthrough viral singles Touch (2024) and Gnarly (2025) and an upcoming concert tour across North America, the sextet's rise reflects K-pop's increasing emphasis on globalness and digital connectivity, says Ms Lee. "Katseye might not be South Korea-based in the traditional sense, but their success proves the K-pop model is highly adaptable and can be influential far beyond South Korea." (From left) Lara, Yoonchae, Daniela, Manon, Megan and Sophia of Katseye at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards in Santa Monica, California, in June. PHOTO: AFP Another phenomenon reflecting the increasing interest in girl groups is the massive success of KPop Demon Hunters, she notes. The English-language musical flick from Sony Pictures Animation, about K-pop girl group Huntrix who lead double lives as demon hunters, premiered on Netflix on June 20. With more than 158.8 million views in total, it has become Netflix's fourth-most-watched movie of all time - behind action-comedy Red Notice (2021), thriller Carry-On (2024) and sci-fi flick Don't Look Up (2021). For the week of July 28 to Aug 3, it ranked No. 2 on Netflix's list of Global Top 10 Movies. The movie's soundtrack is holding at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 album chart, while Golden has topped both the Billboard Hot 100 and Britain's Official Singles Top 100 charts. Huntrix's members were reportedly modelled after Itzy, Blackpink and Twice, while 2NE1 also provided an early reference. Reports say Huntrix's members were modelled after K-pop girl groups such as Itzy, Blackpink and Twice. PHOTO: NETFLIX Ms Lee says: "There is a growing global appetite for strong, multidimensional female icons, and Huntrix's portrayal as a group with grit, vulnerability and strength taps this desire for more female representation. The show has also ignited more interest in K-pop girl groups, funnelling casual viewers worldwide to invest their attention in real-life ones." So much so that SM Universe (Singapore), which offers dance and vocal workshops as well as K-pop training programmes, is offering K-pop group vocal classes featuring KPop Demon Hunters' most popular track Golden on Aug 14, 21 and 28. The classes sold out within a day of being announced, says Ms Lee. She notes that most of the movie's songs are in English, making them more accessible, and are vocally challenging, allowing students to learn new techniques. In addition, she says the academy's curriculum is constantly updated to reflect emerging trends in the K-pop landscape, including the current girl group craze. "Our trainers understand the unique demands of girl group performances and are able to hone specific skills that are often essential, from refining feminine lines and movement quality, to building confidence in stage presence and expressiveness. "Their insights and mentorship help students better understand what it takes to succeed as part of a K-pop girl group today." SM Universe (Singapore) student Lisa Tan, who loves girl group Aespa and boy bands, enjoyed KPop Demon Hunters tremendously. The 13-year-old Singaporean says: "I really like the message of teamwork and theme of girl power. It is also so cool that even though the characters are animated, their song Golden managed to top real music charts. It shows how strong the music is." Having some members of Twice record the single Takedown for the soundtrack brought even more attention to the film. Lisa adds: "It made more people want to check the show out." South Korean girl group Twice performing at the Inspire Arena in Incheon, South Korea, in July as part of their This Is For World Tour. PHOTO: JYP ENTERTAINMENT Kiss92 DJ Shawnia Seah says KPop Demon Hunters songs such as Golden and Soda Pop - performed by Huntrix's rival boy band Saja Boys - have been added to the local radio station's playlist as listeners have been requesting them. "Despite being sung by fictional groups, these songs were beating those of real-life K-pop groups like Blackpink and BTS," she says. "And even if people who watched KPop Demon Hunters don't know actual girl groups, they know the animated characters Rumi, Mira and Zoey. From there, it is just a short leap into actual fandom." Seah, who hosted a Pop! Off party on Aug 7 at Far East Square's Glass Dome that featured hits from the movie and songs by Katseye, recalls: "It was crazy and so fun. Some attendees came dressed up as Huntrix, and there was a photo booth, slushie bar, claw machine, singalongs and plenty of dancing." The 24-year-old presenter-host attended Twice's Singapore concert in 2023 and plans to score tickets for Le Sserafim and Blackpink. She says: "K-pop girl groups are literally taking over the world now. I am clearing my schedule to catch as many as I can." South Korean girl group Le Sserafim comprise (from left) Sakura, Huh Yunjin, Hong Eunchae, Kim Chaewon and Kazuha. PHOTO: LE SSERAFIM/FACEBOOK But is the current bonanza simply due to supply rather than demand? That is the belief of Mr Alan Chan, who produced Singapore's first K-pop girl group Skarf, which were active from 2011 to 2014 and included local actress-singers Tasha Low and Ferlyn Wong. Girl groups, he reckons, are also much easier to put together than boy bands. The 62-year-old, now chief executive of Southern IX Media, which oversees music production, artiste management and live event organisation, says: "South Korean men have to serve in the military, so it is difficult to produce a boy band because you have to make sure the guys are available to record a song or hold a concert. The women do not have this problem." That said, Mr Chan feels there might be oversaturation because of the sheer number of girl groups coming to town. He cites how Le Sserafim's gig on Aug 16 starts at 5pm, while Stayc's begins at 6pm on the same day. South Korean girl group Stayc's (clockwise from left) Seeun, J, Sieun, Sumin, Isa and Yoon. PHOTO: LIVE NATION SINGAPORE "The clash in timing means that even if fans can afford to attend both shows, they physically cannot. That might be one reason the Stayc concert has not sold out yet." But for fans, it is a case of the more, the merrier - and the deluge is not stopping diehards from splurging across the board. Mr Muhd Raimi Kadir, a 32-year-old who would reveal only that he is "doing various jobs and his own business", managed to nab $348 VIP tickets to Le Sserafim and paid $626 for Blackpink. The Singaporean has also set aside more than $600 for Twice. "Although many girl groups are coming to Singapore, I know what I want, and I plan my finances well."
The Star
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Pioneer batch of Singapore teens chase K-pop dreams at local training academy SM Universe
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): The road to being a K-pop star is extremely challenging, and even after years of rigorous training, one may not even make it past an audition. Yet, it is not stopping some Singaporean teens from pursuing their K-pop dreams, one baby step at a time. Qti Tan, 17, and Cherise Sim, 13, were among the pioneer batch of 15 students aged 11 to 19 who underwent an intensive five-day K-pop intermediate training programme conducted by K-pop training academy SM Universe (Singapore). It was held at youth space *Scape in Orchard Road from June 16 to 20. The youth took dance, vocal, recording and modelling lessons from 10am to 5pm, and were put through the wringer like a real K-pop trainee. SM Universe specialises in K-pop training programmes. It is a subsidiary of SM Entertainment, one of the 'Big Four' K-pop agencies alongside Hybe, YG Entertainment and JYP Entertainment. The *Scape campus opened its doors in June and is the only SM Universe training academy in South-east Asia. All the trainers involved in the Singapore curriculum are South Korean industry experts who are part of the teaching pool in the main SM Universe campus. Qti, who taught herself K-pop choreography from YouTube videos, has always loved dancing and performing. Joining the K-pop training programme by SM Universe (Singapore) – priced at $1,000 (RM3,300) – was 'a good chance to learn new things and get proper guidance from real instructors', she tells The Straits Times. Qti Tan (in white cropped top), who taught herself K-pop choreography from YouTube videos, has always loved dancing and performing. -- ST PHOTO: TARYN NG Learning from industry experts 'I also want to experience what it is like to train in a professional environment,' adds Qti, who is a fan of Blackpink. The fashion management and design student at Temasek Polytechnic says her introduction to the music genre was from watching the K-pop girl group's How You Like That music video in 2020 when she was in primary school. 'I was immediately drawn to their powerful energy and style, and since then, I have been exploring K-pop music, performances and idols.' The training was 'an eye-opening experience', and though it was tiring and challenging, Qti says she enjoyed every minute of it. Students learnt to sing and dance to girl group Aespa's hit single Spicy (2023), and recorded a video performance at the end of the week. Aespa, a quartet formed by SM Entertainment, made their debut in 2020. Part of the syllabus includes a mock K-pop trainee audition, where students apply what they have learnt. They are then given feedback from their trainers and SM Universe's faculty members, who are K-pop industry veterans, like in a real audition. 'Some critiques are painful to hear, but they push me to improve,' Qti says. She auditioned for several K-pop companies – including YG, the label behind Blackpink – in 2022 and 2023. In 2024, she attended two auditions: with Cube Entertainment, which manages girl group I-dle; and Pledis Entertainment, the agency of boy band Seventeen. After completing the intermediate programme, students can continue the curriculum for another week in the advanced training programme for the same price, which Cherise did. While Qti could not carry on due to school commitments, she plans to sign up when time permits. All the South Korean trainers involved in the Singapore curriculum are industry experts who are part of the teaching pool in the main Seoul campus. -- ST PHOTO: TARYN NG Juggling schoolwork and K-pop training Cherise started jazz dance at four years old and switched to Latin dance at seven, and has participated in numerous regional dancesport competitions where she was placed. Though the National Junior College Integrated Programme student discovered K-pop only in 2023, the fan of I-dle, Babymonster, IVE and Aespa has already decided that K-pop is the path for her. Prior to her lessons at SM Universe (Singapore), Cherise attended several private vocal and dance classes in Seoul in October 2024 after finishing her PSLE. She auditioned for The Black Label when the South Korean agency – which is behind popular artistes like Blackpink's Rose and BigBang's Taeyang – held the Singapore leg of its global tryouts in May. Cherise recalls the experience as nerve-racking but valuable, and says it further spurred her interest in K-pop. 'Over the two weeks, I gained a clearer understanding of how the K-pop industry works behind the scenes and what idols go through on a day-to-day basis,' she says. The Secondary 1 student admits juggling schoolwork, her dance co-curricular activity and K-pop training can be tiring, but says it is still manageable. She plans to continue her training, be it after school hours or during the school holidays, depending on the programme schedules at SM Universe (Singapore). If there is an opportunity, she also hopes to take up K-pop classes in Seoul. She is also brushing up on her Korean to understand and communicate better during training and auditions. 'I know some basic words and phrases. I'm not fluent, but I can read Hangul (the Korean alphabet).' Cherise's mother Kelly Ong, an entrepreneur in her 30s, encourages her only child to pursue her ambitions. 'People have questioned us on why we indulge in her K-pop dream, as this is an unconventional path for Singaporeans,' says Ms Ong. 'But we believe in Cherise and we will do everything we can to help her.' Adds the doting mum: 'She has made sacrifices. We know it is not easy on her, but she is incredibly disciplined and understands the importance of striking a balance between her passion and academics.' The family has also considered letting Cherise relocate to Seoul to undergo full-time K-pop training if the opportunity arises. Though Ms Ong acknowledges that the chances of debuting are slim, she believes Cherise 'has a real shot through hard work, persistence and a bit of luck'. Training in the K-pop capital Singaporean teen Cassa Tan is pursuing her K-pop dreams at SM Universe training academy in Seoul. -- PHOTO: COURTESY OF CASSA TAN A Singaporean teenager who has taken one step closer to her dreams is Cassa Tan. The 15-year-old has been training at SM Universe in Seoul since February, after it scouted her in January based on her dance videos on social media. Noting her drive and high potential for growth, SM Universe (Singapore) offered Cassa a six-month scholarship programme to train at the main academy. The scholarship covers training academy fees and partial support for her living expenses in Seoul. As a pre-trainee – one who has yet to be officially accepted by SM Entertainment – Cassa is expected to keep up with the demanding K-pop training as well as her studies at a South Korean performing arts high school. 'On weekdays, I attend school until the afternoon, followed by vocal and dance training, practice sessions and Korean lessons,' she says. Her weekends are equally packed, with more vocal and dance classes, and group practice sessions that stretch from noon to night. But the former Anderson Secondary School student has no regrets moving to the K-pop capital on her own. 'I miss my family and friends, but being in Seoul allows me to immerse myself in the local culture and improve my Korean through daily interactions,' says Cassa. 'I'm much closer to my dreams, but there is still a lot of room to grow. I'm pushing myself to improve each day.' Cherise Sim continued with the advanced training programme after completing her intermediate lessons. -- ST PHOTO: JAMIE KOH Commitment and perseverance Mr Jonathan Ang, director of SM Universe (Singapore), says the academy – which has enrolled 200 students so far – is 'encouraged by the passion, discipline and drive shown by the Singaporean youth in our classes'. His advice to those who are serious about pursuing a K-pop career is to consistently refine their technical skills through specialised training, and to take advantage of 'Singapore's multilingualism to give them an edge in today's increasingly globalised K-pop industry'. K-pop agencies look for star potential, individuals who show promise to grow artistically and carry themselves with authenticity and confidence, says Mr Ang. He adds that as the K-pop industry is highly competitive, versatility has become key. It is no longer sufficient to specialise in one area, such as dance or vocals. 'SM Universe (Singapore) is committed to creating tangible pathways for our students, connecting high-potential talent with the right industry opportunities, and equipping them with the skills and attitude needed to thrive in the entertainment industry,' says Mr Ang. The academy is designing its flagship 21-week training programme, which is likely to commence in early 2026. It will culminate in a one-week enrichment trip to the SM Universe campus in Seoul, where top students have the opportunity to audition with South Korean entertainment agencies. Says Mr Ang: 'The journey towards becoming a K-pop idol requires commitment and perseverance, and a strong foundation must first be built.' Cherise says: 'I know I still have a long way to go, but my goal is to become the best version of myself.' Qti adds: 'Being consistent and hardworking is super important – you can't just rely on talent. Having an understanding of the K-pop industry is also helpful. 'If I can't become an idol, I will pursue a behind-the-scenes role in the K-pop world, like being a stylist for the idols.' - The Straits Times/Asia News Network
Straits Times
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Pioneer batch of Singapore teens chase K-pop dreams at local training academy SM Universe
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Qti Tan (in white cropped top) on the first day of the K-pop intermediate programme held by SM Universe (Singapore). SINGAPORE – The road to being a K-pop star is extremely challenging, and even after years of rigorous training, one may not even make it past an audition. Yet, it is not stopping some Singaporean teens from pursuing their K-pop dreams, one baby step at a time. Qti Tan, 17, and Cherise Sim, 13, were among the pioneer batch of 15 students aged 11 to 19 who underwent an intensive five-day K-pop intermediate training programme conducted by K-pop training academy SM Universe (Singapore). It was held at youth space *Scape in Orchard Road from June 16 to 20. The youth took dance, vocal, recording and modelling lessons from 9am to 5pm, and were put through the wringer like a real K-pop trainee. SM Universe specialises in K-pop training programmes. It is a subsidiary of SM Entertainment, one of the 'Big Four' K-pop agencies alongside Hybe, YG Entertainment and JYP Entertainment. The *Scape campus opened its doors in June and is the only SM Universe training academy in South-east Asia. All the trainers involved in the Singapore curriculum are South Korean industry experts who are part of the teaching pool in the main SM Universe campus. Qti, who taught herself K-pop choreography from YouTube videos, has always loved dancing and performing. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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Learning from industry experts 'I also want to experience what it is like to train in a professional environment,' adds Qti, who is a fan of Blackpink. The fashion management and design student at Temasek Polytechnic says her introduction to the music genre was from watching the K-pop girl group's How You Like That music video in 2020 when she was in primary school. 'I was immediately drawn to their powerful energy and style, and since then, I have been exploring K-pop music, performances and idols.' The training was 'an eye-opening experience', and though it was tiring and challenging, Qti says she enjoyed every minute of it. Qti Tan (in white cropped top), who taught herself K-pop choreography from YouTube videos, has always loved dancing and performing. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG Students learnt to sing and dance to girl group Aespa's hit single Spicy (2023), and recorded a video performance at the end of the week. Aespa, a quartet formed by SM Entertainment, made their debut in 2020. Part of the syllabus includes a mock K-pop trainee audition, where students apply what they have learnt. They are then given feedback from their trainers and SM Universe's faculty members, who are K-pop industry veterans, like in a real audition. 'Some critiques are painful to hear, but they push me to improve,' Qti says. She auditioned for several K-pop companies – including YG, the label behind Blackpink – in 2022 and 2023. In 2024, she attended two auditions: with Cube Entertainment, which manages girl group I-dle; and Pledis Entertainment, the agency of boy band Seventeen. All the South Korean trainers involved in the Singapore curriculum are industry experts who are part of the teaching pool in the main Seoul campus. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG After completing the intermediate programme, students can continue the curriculum for another week in the advanced training programme for the same price, which Cherise did. While Qti could not carry on due to school commitments, she plans to sign up when time permits. Juggling schoolwork and K-pop training Cherise started jazz dance at four years old and switched to Latin dance at seven, and has participated in numerous regional dancesport competitions where she was placed. Though the National Junior College Integrated Programme student discovered K-pop only in 2023, the fan of I-dle, Babymonster, IVE and Aespa has already decided that K-pop is the path for her. Cherise Sim continued with the advanced training programme after completing her intermediate lessons. ST PHOTO: JAMIE KOH Prior to her lessons at SM Universe (Singapore), Cherise attended several private vocal and dance classes in Seoul in October 2024 after finishing her PSLE. She auditioned for The Black Label when the South Korean agency – which is behind popular artistes like Blackpink's Rose and BigBang's Taeyang – held the Singapore leg of its global try-outs in May. Cherise recalls the experience as nerve-racking but valuable, and says it further spurred her interest in K-pop. 'Over the two weeks, I gained a clearer understanding of how the K-pop industry works behind the scenes and what idols go through on a day-to-day basis,' she says. The Secondary 1 student admits juggling schoolwork, her dance co-curricular activity and K-pop training can be tiring, but is still manageable. She plans to continue her training, be it after school hours or during the school holidays, depending on the programme schedules at SM Universe (Singapore). If there is an opportunity, she also hopes to take up K-pop classes in Seoul. She is also brushing up on her Korean to understand and communicate better during training and auditions. 'I know some basic words and phrases. I'm not fluent, but I can read Hangul (the Korean alphabet).' Cherise's mother Kelly Ong, an entrepreneur in her 40s, encourages her only child to pursue her ambitions. 'People have questioned us on why we indulge in her K-pop dream, as this is an unconventional path for Singaporeans,' says Ms Ong. Cherise Sim and her mother, Ms Kelly Ong. The family is very supportive of Cherise's K-pop dreams. ST PHOTO: JAMIE KOH 'But we believe in Cherise and we will do everything we can to help her.' Adds the doting mum: 'She has made sacrifices. We know it is not easy on her, but she is incredibly disciplined and understands the importance of striking a balance between her passion and academics.' The family has also considered letting Cherise relocate to Seoul to undergo full-time K-pop training if the opportunity arises. Though Ms Ong acknowledges that the chances of debuting are slim, she believes Cherise 'has a real shot through hard work, persistence and a bit of luck'. Training in the K-pop capital A Singaporean teenager who has taken one step closer is Cassa Tan. The 15-year-old has been training at SM Universe in Seoul since February, after it scouted her in January based on her dance videos on social media. Noting her drive and high potential for growth, SM Universe (Singapore) offered Cassa a six-month scholarship programme to train at the main academy. The scholarship covers training academy fees and partial support for her living expenses in Seoul. Singaporean teen Cassa Tan is pursuing her K-pop dreams at SM Universe training academy in Seoul. PHOTO: COURTESY OF CASSA TAN As a pre-trainee – one who has yet to be officially accepted by SM Entertainment – Cassa is expected to keep up with the demanding K-pop training as well as her studies at a South Korean performing arts high school. 'On weekdays, I attend school until the afternoon, followed by vocal and dance training, practice sessions and Korean lessons,' she says. Her weekends are equally packed, with more vocal and dance classes, and group practice sessions that stretch from noon to night. But the former Anderson Secondary School student has no regrets moving to the K-pop capital on her own. 'I miss my family and friends, but being in Seoul allows me to immerse myself in the local culture and improve my Korean through daily interactions,' says Cassa. 'I'm much closer to my dreams, but there is still a lot of room to grow. I'm pushing myself to improve each day.' Commitment and perseverance Mr Jonathan Ang, director of SM Universe (Singapore), says the academy – which has enrolled 200 students so far – is 'encouraged by the passion, discipline and drive shown by the Singaporean youth in our classes'. His advice to those who are serious about pursuing a K-pop career is to consistently refine their technical skills through specialised training, and to take advantage of 'Singapore's multilingualism to give them an edge in today's increasingly globalised K-pop industry'. K-pop agencies look for star potential, individuals who show promise to grow artistically and carry themselves with authenticity and confidence, says Mr Ang. He adds that as the K-pop industry is highly competitive, versatility has become key. It is no longer sufficient to specialise in one area, such as dance or vocals. Qti getting pointers and feedback from an industry expert. ST PHOTO: JAMIE KOH 'SM Universe (Singapore) is committed to creating tangible pathways for our students, connecting high-potential talent with the right industry opportunities, and equipping them with the skills and attitude needed to thrive in the entertainment industry,' says Mr Ang. The academy is designing its flagship 21-week training programme, which is likely to commence in early 2026. It will culminate in a one-week enrichment trip to the SM Universe campus in Seoul, where top students have the opportunity to audition with South Korean entertainment agencies. Says Mr Ang: 'The journey towards becoming a K-pop idol requires commitment and perseverance, and a strong foundation must first be built.' Cherise says: 'I know I still have a long way to go, but my goal is to become the best version of myself.' Qti adds: 'Being consistent and hardworking is super important – you can't just rely on talent. Having an understanding of the K-pop industry is also helpful. 'If I can't become an idol, I will pursue a behind-the-scenes role in the K-pop world, like being a stylist for the idols.'
