K-pop is no longer limited to East Asia, with Southeast Asian talent coming into the spotlight as the Hallyu wave continually expands. As SM Entertainment unveils Carmen, its first Indonesian artist, the spotlight shifts to K-pop stars hailing from the region.
Here are eight K-pop idols who have made their mark from Indonesia.
Secret number fingers
Dita, originally from Yogyakarta, made history as her country’s first female K-pop idol.
After formally studying dance in New York, she was discovered by VINE Entertainment and joined the girl group Secret Number in May 2020.
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The Carmen of Hearts2Hearts
In February, Carmen, a 2006 Bali-born liner, will officially debut as SM Entertainment’s first Indonesian artist. She will debut in Hearts2Hearts, the label’s first girl group since aespa’s debut in 2020.
Kim from VVUP
Born in 2006 in Jakarta, Kimberley Fransa Salim—also known as Kim—burst onto the music scene in 2018 after winning second place on “The Voice Kids Indonesia” in 2017.
Two years later, he signed a contract with the San Francisco-based record label, EMPIRE, starting his career in the United States
In February 2024, she took a bold step into the K-pop industry by joining girl group VVUP as the lead singer.
Kyle from ASC2NT
Kyle, the charismatic maknae (youngest member) of the boy group ASC2NT, was born in 1999 in Jakarta.
The idol debuted in May last year and is currently signed to NEWWAYS COMPANY.
Loudi of 14U
Loudi, Indonesia’s first K-pop idol, was born in 1996 in Yogyakarta with Korean-Chinese roots.
He debuted with K-pop boy group 14U in 2017, but their career was short-lived after disbanding in 2019.
MAVE: It’s Marty
Marty, a member of MAVE:, is the first virtual idol to crash in Jakarta.
The “WONDERLAND” hitmaker speaks fluent Indonesian.
Via di Beauty Box
Via, an idol of the ’01 line, is from Bandung. She joined the group Beauty Box in 2021 through South Korean label BY-U Entertainment.
Unfortunately, the original members decided to withdraw from the team in December last year, leaving Via. Now the agency is looking for new members for renewed training.
The design of XODIAC
Born in Tangerang, Banten, Zayyan is a 24-year-old K-pop idol who debuted in XODIAC in 2023.
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