Curious minds often wonder: Can a black person join a K-pop group? Well, if you are also one of them, then it’s time to put on your reading glasses because we are here to clear your curiosity.
K-pop companies don’t really discriminate based on color or race but what they look for is talent and skill. Some companies have accepted Black idols in the K-pop industry in the past and future. More than their color, what speaks is their exceptional talent.
Can a black person join a K-pop group?
It is not common to see non-Korean or Black idols due to Korea’s alleged beauty standards. With time, talent is superseding race and colour. Several Black K-pop artists have gained recognition in the past few years.
For the unversed, K-pop group Blackswan’s member Fatou Samba is a Senegalese-Belgian rapper and singer. She is said to be the first K-pop idol of African descent.
DR Music signed Fatou Samba for the South Korean group Blackswan, which was earlier named Rania. As per the reports, Rania was founded in 1989, however, later in the 90s it was renamed and relaunched as Blackswan.
There are other K-pop idols too who are indirectly related to African descent. One of them is Alex Reid, who is an American singer and rapper and a former member of Rania. Reports state that Reid has Swedish, African American, and Hungarian heritage.
Another Black K-pop idol is Michelle Lee, who is a South Korean-American singer, now signed to DIMA Entertainment. She was born in South Korea’s Paju to a Korean mother and an African-American father. Before Lee’s birth, her parents got divorced and her father returned to the US.
Kim In-soon, professionally known as Insooni, is also another K-pop idol who has an African heritage. Insooni, a renowned singer, was born to a South Korean mother and an African-American father. She is three-quarters Korean and a quarter African-American.
Recalling her school days, Insooni said her classmates used to compare her with dirt due to her dark complexion. She said she started singing to overcome negativity and difficulties.
Another K-pop idol with African heritage is Yoon Mi-rae, an American-born South Korean-based solo rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer and a member of the Korean hip-hop trio MFBTY.
Yoon Mi-rae was born to a South Korean mother and an African-American father. The singer once revealed that she had to drop out of school at the age of 15 due to discrimination stemming from her mixed heritage.
Fatou’s journey of becoming a K-pop artist
During one of the interviews, Fatou revealed that she had been fond of music since her early days. She wanted to pursue her career as a music artist, however, her parents were skeptical about the stability in this industry and asked her to pursue tourism.
The ‘Pass The Rhyme’ singer said her passion for music, especially K-pop, made her visit South Korea where she said she spent nearly a month and made new friends. After coming back from a trip, she returned home to Belgium and started working at an airport, yet, mentally, her heart and mind lingered in Korea.
After six months, she left her job at the airport and went to South Korea on a work visa. Fatou followed her passion for music and reached out to a crew that did K-pop dance covers who also had a tie-up with the modelling agency.
However, it was only about a month after she signed with the modeling agency that she met the CEO of DR Music. BlackSwan, formally known as Rania, is a K-pop group under DR Music. Fatou signed with DR Music to become a trainee and after almost two years of training, she was revealed as the fourth member of Blackswan.
Talking about the discrimination she faced, Fatou said that it was not easy for her initially as people used to make harsh and inhumane comments. She said that being an idol is not for the faint of heart, adding that at one point she felt like giving up, but with the support of her fellow Blackswan members and her dedication to her work, she stood strong and made a place in people’s hearts.
Small kpop companies that accept black foreigners
Aficionados often muse if any K-pop companies accept black foreigners. The answer is yes. DR Music accepted the first African-American girl, named Alex Reid, in the girl group BP Rania which disbanded in June 2020. Later, the label admitted Fatou under the newly relaunched band Blackswan.
Blackswan is said to be the only K-pop group with no Korean members. The group members hail from around the world. Gabi is from Brazil, NVee is from the United States, Sriya is from India, and Fatou is from Senegal, who is currently living in Belgium.
FAQs: Can a black person join a K-pop group?
Here are frequently asked questions related to Black members being a part of K-pop groups.
#1. Can a black girl audition for YG Entertainment?
According to the reports, any person can become a member of YG Entertainment, irrespective of caste, colour and race. The only way to get admitted to YG Entertainment is via auditions. You can become a member of the K-pop group if you qualify for an audition.
#2. Can a black girl be a JYP trainee?
There are no limitations based on race when it comes to becoming a K-pop idol. According to the reports, JYP accepts black trainees. The online audition is open to everyone in and out of the country.
#3. Which K-pop group has a black girl?
Blackswan is a member of African descent. Born in Senegal, raised in Belgium, and now residing in South Korea, 28-year-old rapper and singer Fatou Samba is the first fully African K-pop idol.
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Conclusion: Can a black person join a K-pop group?
Whenever we think of K-pop idols, what comes to our mind is fair and dewy skin, a v-shaped face cut, a pint-sized waist, and an hourglass figure. The beauty standards set by K-pop idols appear unrealistic and harsh.
But with time, some companies are accepting non-Korean idols, especially black idols. The acceptance of Black K-pop idols like Fatou Samba in Blackswan signifies a positive shift in the industry.
The K-pop industry is now transforming into a space where everyone can be recognized for their skills and abilities. With the acceptance of Black K-pop idols in the industry, it seems as if they are adding new colors to the coolest musical painting ever!