Blackpink’s Lisa, a native Thai, is one of the world’s biggest Korean pop stars. Could Singapore see one of its own soon? The programme Talking Point gets a glimpse into the lives of some young hopefuls.
Singaporeans Kade Wong and Treia Tan, both 14, getting dance training at a 10-day K-pop boot camp in South Korea.SINGAPORE: Kade Wong has gone for five global K-pop auditions, attended four private auditions with casting managers and, most recently, was asked to audition directly with a K-pop agency director. She is only 14.
Do Singaporeans stand a chance of emerging on the K-pop scene? What would it take for a breakthrough? CNA programmeFollowing the global expansion of the K-pop market, with acts such as BTS, talent companies are keen on finding foreign members, said talent scout Darren Won. “Making efforts like re-applying a month or two later, even if they didn’t make it at the audition a while back, could be a method to bring a bit more luck to themselves.”Indeed, becoming the next Lisa of Blackpink, a native Thai who was chosen from among 4,000 aspirants at her audition, requires not only luck but a tremendous amount of effort — for example by participating in boot camps.
Kade was one of 73 young hopefuls from Singapore, Australia, Brazil and France, among other countries, to be selected to join a 10-day boot camp in South Korea last month.It was run by The Academy Australia and cost close to S$2,500, which covered lodging and course fees. Talking Point presenter Munah Bagharib joined the participants to get a sense of the rigours of their training.
Kade was one of them, clinching an audition with Won from Gori Agency, plus three other agencies. He described her as a “cute” and “bright” character who caught his notice during the group showcase.“Her singing was better than I expected, and I see the potential for further growth,” he told Talking Point after the private audition.
“Each entertainment company has different needs, and we have to cast according to each company’s taste. There are many variables.Even if Kade stands a chance after her private auditions, it is almost certain that she would have to put her dreams aside — or at least until she turns 21, said her father, Anthony Wong.
If she ever makes trainee with an agency, she would “definitely want to go for it”, she said. “I’ll try my best to convince to continue my studies in Korea while training.”Beyond becoming a trainee, one would need to appear on popular television shows like Music Bank, which features performances by artistes weekly, or on variety shows, said Singaporean K-pop investor David Yong.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Budget 2024 watch party: What do young Singaporeans think about the announcements?TODAY organised a watch party with five young Singaporeans aged 35 and below to discuss their thoughts on the measures announced in Budget 2024 on Friday (Feb 16) by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong. Here are some excerpts from the discussion.
Read more »
PM Lee Hsien Loong Reminds Singaporeans to Protect Reserves for Future GenerationsPrime Minister Lee Hsien Loong reminds Singaporeans to view themselves as trustees of the country's reserves and to protect them for future generations. He emphasizes the importance of saving, resisting pressures to use the reserves, and unlocking them only when necessary.
Read more »
PM Lee urges Singaporeans to have more children, and to do so earlierThe Dragon year is as good a time as any to try for a baby, he said in his Chinese New Year message.
Read more »
Singaporeans in their 50s and 60s to receive more help for retirement under Majulah Package1.6 million lower and middle income Singaporeans in their 50s and 60s will receive additional support for retirement through the Majulah Package, which is expected to have a lifetime cost of $8.2 billion. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong will allocate $7.5 billion from the Majulah Package Fund to cover the cost of the package. All Singaporeans born in 1973 or earlier will benefit from at least one component of the package.
Read more »
New York bar called Singlish amuses Singaporeans, serves drinks called BTO and ChiobuIt's always nice to see a piece of Singapore away from home. So when local voiceover actress Caitanya Schmickrath-Tan was in New York, she was amused to find a bar named after something we are all familiar with — Singlish. In a TikTok video uploaded on Tuesday (Feb 20), the 36-year-old shared that her Singaporean friend who lives in New...
Read more »