In a bid for K-Pop to reach more audiences internationally, K-Pop groups have expanded into including foreign members who are mostly able to speak Korean well, on top of being fluent in their respective languages like English, or Mandarin Chinese.

Auditions for top entertainment companies based in Korea are continually seeking talented foreign members in locations around the world like the US and Europe, as well as Asian countries like China, Japan, Hong Kong and Thailand.

The foreign members very often than not, are particularly able to strike a cord with their Asian fans or people from their home country, which without doubt helps their popularity as well. Also, they are able to bring a refreshing side to K-Pop by bringing in their different cultures and way of life into the world of Korean Pop. This can further work in their favor, as reality tv programs (which is the rage these days), are often able to capture their endearing side because they have to work twice as hard to meet the demands of a Korean-dominated K-Pop industry.

Not only do speaking multi-languages improve international communication, K-Pop fans also find it attractive and particularly sexy when idols can speak their mother tongues. To many, it makes all the world of a difference as it is seen as sincere and heartfelt to be able to communicate with fans by a language familiar to them.

It is no longer a surprise to see foreign members in K-Pop group, this article explores the specially prominent ones in K-Pop today:

Super Junior M Chinese-Canandian Henry Lau, 24

Henry has been known for being musically inclined, being a multi-talented expert in playing various musical instruments. TV show The Real Man also showcased Henry’s worthy mathematical mind (though this was debated). He was also frank and honest while talking about the difficulties faced in the show in variety TV program Happy Together, showing an endearing side of him.

Henry’s popularity seems to be increasing lately, and the Super Junior M member is also triple-treat – fluent in English (first language), Mandarin and Korean. He can also speak some Cantonese, and abit of French which he learned in Canada. Henry made his solo debut in early June 2013 with the release of his debut mini-album Trap in which he produced some of the songs.

On May 17th, Henry won awards for categories 'Top Asian Rookie' and 'Most Popular K-Pop Music Video' at the 'Singapore Entertainment Awards 2014', further validating his popularity in Asia.

EXO members Luhan, 24, Kris, 23, Lay, 22, Tao, 21

One need not say too much about these 4 EXO Chinese members. They are most definitely the pride and joy of China and many Chinese fans. Bursting with potential and talent at every seam, both handsome and cute members Luhan, Kris, Lay and Tao have so much to offer, on top of their unique and well-liked personalities as shown in reality show EXO Showtime.

Despite recent news pointing towards Kris’ probable and impending departure from SM or EXO, we cannot deny the prowess of each member and also of Kris as an essential and beloved member of the perhaps unbeatable K-Pop group right now.

GOT7 members Mark, 20, Jackson, 20, BamBam, 17

The catchy debut song “Girls Girls Girls” from JYPE’s newest group GOT7 was quite the hit beginning this year. The group boasts of 3 foreign members of Taiwanese, Hong Kong and Thai roots. A group with a knack for martial arts tricking and b-boying is said to follow in the footsteps of their seniors 2PM and definitely have heap loads to offer as a perhaps, premier hip-hop group in the near future.

Many of these popular K-Pop groups mainly boast of talented Asian members like those listed in this article. It would definitely be refreshing to finally see the addition of western or middle-eastern K-idols, no?

The K-Pop industry has perhaps played it safe by having Asian foreign members that can pass off as Koreans to have an aesthetic or visual consistency in K-Pop. However, it would also be interesting to further venture out of their comfort zone by having not only Asian-only members. To meet the demands of international fans in future, this would perhaps not be the most impossible after all.