For years, K-pop was a world dominated by South Korean artists but not anymore. A revolution is underway. A Southeast Asian wave is sweeping onto the scene, proving to the world that K-pop is no longer confined by geography. From Bangkok to Manila, these icons of the twenty-first century are transforming the world of Korean pop, breaking records, and sweeping hearts across the globe. But who or what is driving this wave? And how are these rising stars reshaping the industry?
The Lisa Effect: One Thai Girl Flipped the Game on Its Head
When BLACKPINK’s Lisa, née Lalisa Manoban, exploded onto the K-pop scene in 2016, no one could have predicted she would wreak such cultural chaos. Born and raised in Thailand, Lisa shattered the glass ceiling for aspiring Southeast Asian idols. Her rap skills, breathtaking choreography, and captivating stage presence propelled her to global superstardom. Flash forward to 2025, and Lisa’s influence goes far, far beyond the music industry. Having made it as a Hollywood actress on HBO shows The White Lotus and collaborated with luxury brands Celine and Bulgari on endorsement campaigns, she’s established the blueprint for how far one Southeast Asian star can go in an industry that Koreans long dominated. Her success rang out loud and clear: talent has no borders.
From Bangkok Streets to Seoul Lights
Lisa’s rapid ascent opened doors for other Thai performers, and now a new generation is at the forefront. GOT7’s Kunpimook Bhuwakul (BamBam) and NCT’s Chittaphon Leechaiyapornkul (Ten) proved that Thai performers can compete in K-pop’s competitive marketplace. Ten’s advanced dance steps and extraterrestrial graphics have earned him a position among the most recognized faces of NCT, and BamBam’s solo debut success and appearances in Thailand’s music scene are a testament to how Southeast Asian idols are not just K-pop idols, but also international icons.
Vietnam’s Silent Revolution: Meet the Rising Stars
Vietnam is also leaving its stamp on K-pop, and the brightest of their names is that of NewJeans’ Hanni. Being one of the first Vietnamese idols in a top K-pop group, she has broken the glass ceiling and lit up many hearts. Ever since NewJeans burst onto the scene in 2022, Hanni has been a fan favorite, praised for her silky vocals and gorgeous stage presence. But she is not alone. Hanbin, now with TEMPEST, has already demonstrated that Vietnamese artists can hold their ground against the industry’s finest. His transformation from a simple trainee no one knew to become an actual idol speaks volumes for the dogged determination so many Southeast Asian artists are built on.
The Philippines’ Surprise Entry Into K-Pop’s Elite
The Philippines possessed world-class singers for decades, but K-pop was another field. Then, there was a halt when Lapillus’s Chantal Videla (Chanty) came on stage. Being Argentinian-Filipino, she brought a new and unique presence to K-pop. Meanwhile, the Filipino boy group SB19, trained in Korean entertainment culture, has attested that K-pop popularity extends beyond Korea. With record-breaking charts and international collaborations, SB19 has placed the Philippines on the global music scene as a player.
What’s Behind This Southeast Asian Invasion?
It’s no coincidence that Southeast Asian idols are thriving. There are a number of factors driving this shift:
1. A Hyper-Dedicated Fanbase – Some of the world’s most passionate K-pop enthusiasts are found in Southeast Asia, and therefore, it is an agency’s paradise to find new markets.
2. Social Media Power – TikTok has given emerging talents never-before-seen levels of visibility to showcase their talent and turn it into viral phenomena.
3. K-Pop Globalization – Korean entertainment companies are intensely scouting Southeast Asian artists, recognizing the region as a gigantic music market.
4. Cultural Affinity – It is easy for Southeast Asian artists to fit into K-pop’s disciplined training program due to cultural affinities.
The Challenges: Is It That Easy to Join K-Pop?
Though the success stories warm the heart, the path to stardom as a K-pop star is not a straightforward one. The foreign idols are usually handicapped by language differences, cultural barriers, and even prejudice. Even fans and industry stakeholders themselves still retain old views regarding what a K-pop star should be, making the achievement all the more difficult for Southeast Asians to achieve in the mainstream. But change is in the air. With more and more non-Korean idols gaining popularity, the walls are gradually crumbling. It is no longer the norm today for a Southeast Asian trainee to be scouted by a K-pop agency—a new benchmark has been established.
What’s Next? The Future of Southeast Asians in K-Pop
The trend is picking up even more speed. With increasingly more Southeast Asian trainees as the faces of the largest Korean agencies, the industry is poised for an even more multicultural world. Even more Thai, Vietnamese, Filipino, and Indonesian idols should appear in the following years. Is K-pop only for Koreans anymore? The answer is a definite no. The era of Southeast Asian idols has arrived—and this is just the beginning.
