Top 6 Thai Artists In K-Industry

Written by Min-ho Kim

The obsession with Korean music culture has been increasing throughout the globe like the wildfires! Adolescents and adults alike have succumbed to the wave of K-pop. South Korea has been promoting K-pop as the source of ''Soft Power'' to empower its influence in the world market. Initially assumed this country to be conservative to foreign ideas.

However, this perception changed swiftly as the top 3 entertainment industries of the country started launching non-Korean idols in the music industry. Over the years, several Japanese, Chinese and Thai artists have walked into the K-pop world. As these artists are Asians, they resemble the facial features of Koreans and perfectly fit into the K-beauty standards, which are otherwise strenuous to be achieved by artists of other races. These idols are no longer strangers to the citizens of South Korea but are accepted wholeheartedly. Over time, such nonnative personalities have become the talk of Korea and are eye candy to numerous overseas fans.

1. BLACKPINK’s Lisa – Pranpriya Manoban

March 27, 1997 (age 24)

Buriram, Thailand

The stage name Lisa is the maknae(youngest member) of internationally known K-pop girl group-BLACKPINK. Being in the lead role of dancer and rapper, Lisa is recognized explicitly for her smooth body flow, sharp hits, and elegant yet captivating expressions. Her journey from Thailand to Korea has been venturesome. A 13 years old Lisa flew to South Korea after being offered to debut as a K-pop idol upon securing 1st place in YG Entertainment'sEntertainment's competition in 2010. Having been a part of a dance crew in her home country, she already had a performer's prior knowledge and professionalism, conquering first place in the competition. However, as she was a nonnative, Lisa spent her trainee years in YG learning the Korean language.

At present, she can fluently speak Korean, Thai, English, and Japanese languages with a moderate level of Mandarin. She is the only non-Korean idol in BLACKPINK and the first overseas artist launched by YG Entertainment. Although she had her entire career based in South Korea, she warmly welcomed her in Cape Dara Resort Pattaya, Thailand, for her commercial film shoot of Sprite brand dated April 3, 2018.

2. GOT7’s BamBam — Kunpimook Bhuwakul

May 2, 1997 (age 24)

Bangkok, Thailand

The phenomenal boy group GOT7 debuted under JYP Entertainment and has its member BamBam summoned from Thailand. He has been a songwriter, rapper, and visual of the group for seven years. Pondering upon the sequences which lead this Thai boy to South Korea are utterly amusing to netizens. BamBam'sBamBam's mother had been a diehard fan of the idol Rain and had taken little BamBam along with her to the artist's numerous shows.

Over time, BamBam developed a liking for Korean music and culture and got acquainted with JYP and other entertainment. A competition hosted by JPY entertainment in Thailand in 2007 for the best dance cover of Rain'sRain's song landed BamBam with an opportunity to be a K-pop trainee. Unfortunately, Rain had ended his contract with JYP Entertainment by the time BamBam got to join.

3. Joy — Jutamas Wichai

July 27, 1990 (age 30)

Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand

Joy, a former member of the K-pop girl group RaNia, is currently a member of the Thai girl group Gaia. Her fame peaked when she debuted as a member of RaNia. Sadly, she had to go on hiatus upon the news that her parents' housing got victimized by floods in Thailand. Nevertheless, her passion for music never let her lose hope, and she re-debuted in 2019 in a Thai duo — THE GIRLZ.

4. (G) I – DLE’s Minnie — Minnie Nicha Yontararak

October 23, 1997 (age 23)

Bangkok, Thailand

The multinational girl group of Korea — (G) I-DLE has Minnie's Thai members. This group has signed under CUBE Entertainment. With her mesmerizing vocals, Minnie has achieved the position of the lead vocalist of the group. Her attractive charms and appearance have landed her numerous modeling projects as well.

Her paved path to becoming a K-pop idol commenced in September 2014 when she took part in the Cube Star World Audition in Thailand and flew to Korea in 2015. Apart from being a fabulous singer, she has been a cheerleader, drummer, actress in a stage play, and more in her school years.

5. CLC’s Sorn — Chonnasorn Sajakul

November 18, 1996 (age 24)

Bangkok, Thailand

CUBE Entertainment'sEntertainment's first-ever nonnative artist is Sorn of CLC. She gets endowed with the position of the main vocalist of the group. Undoubtedly talented and hardworking, Sorn earned her chance to be a K-pop idol by winning the first season of the K-Pop Star Hunt in 2011 held around five Asian countries.

She comes from an affluent family in Thailand, her father is a former member of the Thai parliament, and her half-brother is a famous actor in their home country. Sorn is a proactive artist as she has been continuously serving her fans with content on social platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

6. NCT’s Ten — Chittaphon Leechaiyapornkul

February 27, 1996 (age 25)

Bangkok, Thailand

Ten gets initially enrolled under SM Rookies, a pre-debut training group in SM agency. With his outstanding performance and perseverance, he debuted in the NCT subunit NCT-U with the other four members and later made it to WayV. He had won 2nd place in the Thai idol competition, which enabled him to become a K-pop idol.

His dashing facial features have earned him the nickname of ''Cute Devil'' given by the fans. Even though his ethnicity is Chinese, he still gets recognized as Thai due to his great-grandparents. Who immigrated to Thailand and integrated into the society.

Bonus:

2PM's Nichkhun — Nichkhun Buck Horvejkul

Nichkhun, popularly known as the Thai prince among K-pop stans, was the first foreign idol famous among Korean citizens. His elegant charms and handsome face made almost everybody's heart burst. Observing the acceptance of a Thai artist by the locals encouraged the Entertainment agencies to launch more nonnative idols in the K-pop industry solely for publicity.