Three Girl Groups With Members Who Had to Learn Korean

With so many talented and beautiful idols out there, you’ve probably thought to yourself, “What would I do if I ran into my bias?” Lots of K-Pop fans play with the idea of learning Korean, but soon get discouraged when they find themselves overwhelmed with a new language. The Kraze is here to encourage you by letting you know you’re not alone! Some of your favorites have been in the same position as you. Keep up the good work and get inspired by your favorite female idols!

TWICE - Mina, Momo, Sana, and Tzuyu

TWICE has four out of nine members who are not Korean. These girls had to hit the books to learn in order to communicate not only with the rest of the group, but also with their fanbase. Sana took the time to explain that when she arrived in Korea, what truly helped was her exposure to the language. Between vocal lessons, dance lessons, and her Korean lessons, she was able to improve quickly. It seems the best way to grasp the language for her was immersion. If you’re struggling to learn, make sure to surround yourself with lots of Korean content so you’re constantly exposed to the language.

BLACKPINK - Lisa 

The “LALISA” singer, originally of Thai descent, joined BLACKPINK August of 2016. She stated in a Rolling Stone interview that she worked with a tutor who only spoke to her in Korean. Again, the method of full immersion seems to be the best way to catch on to a new language. A lot of K-Pop fans learning Korean are self-taught and may not have the means for a tutor, but if you have a friend who is already fluent in the language, consider asking them to speak to you in Korean. The action should help you feel more comfortable and catch proper intonation for your expressions.

BLACKSWAN - Fatou, Leia, Sriya, and Gabi

When speaking of different cultures being represented in K-Pop, BLACKSWAN is always in the conversation. The group is currently made up of only non-Korean members, as Youngheun and Judy graduated from the group while Hyeme did not renew her contract. Member Sriya gained the title of the first idol from India when she joined the group along with leader Fatou, who is also recognized as the first idol from Senegal. Sriya mentioned in an interview with Asia 101 by The Korea Herald that the best advice she can give to Korean learners is to watch lots of K-Dramas. Watching dramas is an engaging way to practice your listening skills while also learning cultural references. 

Edited by Erin R.