While there isn't one single definitive "first," Kevin of ZE:A (debuted 2010) is often cited as the earliest recognized Australian K-pop idol, paving the way for later popular Aussies like Bang Chan (Stray Kids), Felix (Stray Kids), Rosé (BLACKPINK), and Jake (ENHYPEN), who significantly boosted Australian representation in K-pop from the mid-2010s onward.
Australia produces many popular K-pop idols, notably Rosé (BLACKPINK), Bang Chan & Felix (Stray Kids), Hanni & Danielle (NewJeans), and Jake (ENHYPEN), all of whom grew up in Australia and are now global stars, highlighting the growing Australian influence in K-pop.
First Generation K-pop ('90s-00)
H.O.T is considered to be the first true K-pop idol group because the group was highly manufactured and made up of trained pop stars. They released the song Candy in 1997 and it would become a bubblegum pop hit in Korea.
Blackpink, a four-member girl group, commands the top five on the female chart. BTS' Jungkook and IU, a singer and actress, have claimed the top spots on the most-favorite K-pop artist charts in both the male and female categories, according to a recent poll.
Australian singer Danielle Marsh, a member of the Korean pop (K-pop) group NewJeans, is facing a lawsuit exceeding $44 million from a South Korean record company owned by the K-pop giant that produces BTS. Marsh, 20, was born in NSW to an Australian father and a South Korean mother.
Kylie Minogue is the highest-selling Australian singer, with over 80 million records sold worldwide, making her one of the most successful artists from Australia.
Holland is known as "the first openly gay K-pop idol". He is an only child. His parents found out about his sexuality after he discussed it in an interview.
Most searched female kpop idols on Youtube South Korea in 2025:
The Big Three in K-pop refers to the three South Korean entertainment companies YG Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, and SM Entertainment. These companies dominated the K-pop industry from the late 1990s to today.
The 7 Kings of K-pop: RM, Jin Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, JungKook 🐨🐹🐱🐿🐥🐻🐰💜🔮
Fatou Diouf Samba (born March 23, 1995), known mononymously as Fatou, is a Senegalese-Belgian rapper, singer-songwriter, and model based in South Korea. She is best known as a member and leader of the girl group Blackswan, being widely recognized as the first African-born idol in the South Korean music industry.
For decades, K-pop fans dreaded the “seven-year curse.” Under Korea's standard entertainment contract, the maximum term for exclusive deals is capped at seven years. As groups approached that mark, breakups, member departures or label changes became common. The curse claimed some of the industry's biggest names.
* She's considered by many to be the queen of kpop and is the only foreign artist to have three albums selling more than one million copies in Japan. As well as one of only two artists to have six consecutive number-one studio albums on the Oricon charts.
The Blackpink member who is Australian (and from New Zealand) is Rosé (Roseanne Park), who was born in New Zealand but raised in Melbourne from age seven, attending school there and developing her singing in church choirs before moving to Korea for training.
The global K-pop movement has well and truly hit Australia, with TWICE's current tour officially breaking the record for the best-selling K-pop tour in Oceania. The record-breaking milestone marks another huge moment for TWICE, who continue to raise the bar for K- pop worldwide.
Kylie Ann Minogue (/mɪˈnoʊɡ/ mih-NOHG; born 28 May 1968) is an Australian singer, songwriter, and actress. Frequently referred to as the "Princess of Pop", she has achieved recognition in both the music industry and the fashion world as a major style icon.
Top K-Pop Groups You Should Know – Your Ultimate Guide to Popular Korean Bands
The industry is dominated by four major companies—SM, YG, JYP and Hybe.
The "intensely competitive" K-pop industry is worth an estimated £8 billion annually to the South Korean economy, said The Telegraph, and its stars have been "bound by contracts" that have “no dating” rules. They cannot get married without permission.
While K-pop is generally a difficult industry for overt LGBTQ+ expression, pioneers like Holland (openly gay solo artist) and recent examples like Bain (of JUST B, who came out in 2025) are notable, alongside figures like Jiae (former WASUP, bisexual) and Harisu (pioneering transgender entertainer), showcasing increasing visibility despite societal challenges in South Korea. Many other idols show LGBTQ+ support or hint at fluidity, but these individuals are known for their public declarations.
3rd Generation - JENNIE KIM
Jennie's aura on and off stage serves fierce, unapologetic baddie, perfectly harmonizing with her natural cat-like eyes. Her contribution in beauty and talent to the industry as a member of phenomenal girl group BLACKPINK makes her the It Girl of her time.
Kim Taehyung V is titled the #1 Most Handsome K- pop idol for 116 weeks in a row on Kboard K-pop idol Handsome General Election. BTS V ranks number #1 with 2,333 votes & 1st as Most Popular Korean Drama Actor with 2,664 votes.
Image: Photo: Instagram / @official_marykiko. K-POP star Hansol recently came out as asexual. Hansol, of the group ToppDogg, came out via an Instragram livestream, Gay Star News has reported. “I have been thinking a lot,” Hansol said.
K-Pop celebrities with twins
Jo Youngmin and Jo Kwangmin debuted together in 2011 as part of the K-pop boy group Boyfriend, under Starship Entertainment. Known for their identical looks and synchronised choreography, the twins quickly became fan favourites, often performing side by side in mirrored styling.