‘We can do it too’: Meet Blackswan, the K-pop group with no Korean members

Amidst the backdrop of booming cheers, four women take the stage and seamlessly dive into a synchronized dance routine, accompanied by the thunderous sounds emanating from massive speakers playing vibrant music.

In the heart of Seoul, singing in Korean and adorned in coordinated chains and studded outfits, they exude all the hallmarks of a quintessential K-pop girl group. But there’s a unique twist: not one of them hails from Korea.

Meet Blackswan, a K-pop ensemble composed of members from various corners of the globe. Among them are Gabi from Brazil, NVee from the United States, Sriya from India, and Fatou, who was born in Senegal and currently resides in Belgium.

Together, their aspirations are firmly set on making an indelible mark in the fiercely competitive multibillion-dollar K-pop industry. Yet, their first challenge is convincing the skeptics who question their authenticity.

The presence of foreign members within K-pop acts isn’t a novelty; groups like GOT7 and UNIQ have previously featured a mix of Korean and Chinese members. However, such groups have historically encountered challenges and have often struggled to maintain momentum. There have even been instances like EXP Edition, a boy band comprising predominantly White members without any Koreans, which sparked controversy a few years ago and faced accusations of cultural appropriation. Blackswan faces its own share of doubters. At the Waterbomb music festival where they performed in June, a CNN attendee expressed doubts about the group’s genuineness. Yet, others viewed the non-Korean lineup as a testament to Korea’s increasing cultural influence on the global stage.

For Fatou, the nationalities of the members and their absence of Korean heritage hold little significance. To her, the defining factor remains the “K-factor.”

She asserts, “We speak Korean. K-pop is Korean pop. So as long as the language is there, it is still K-pop.” During an interview with CNN, Gabi echoed this sentiment, affirming, “We possess everything that defines a K-pop group.”

Trained the Korean way

Although not of Korean descent, the journey that led these four members to Blackswan closely adhered to a tried-and-true, distinctly Korean trajectory, involving a rigorous audition process to secure spots as trainees within an intensely competitive program.

Simply earning the designation of trainees under the Korean label DR Music was a noteworthy accomplishment. From a young age, each of them fostered a passion for music and performance, nurturing aspirations of joining the realm of entertainment. Their initiation into K-pop was through friends, and it left an indelible mark.

However, their path was no walk in the park. They were required to undergo demanding Korean language training—a formidable challenge for non-native speakers—coupled with unceasing rehearsals encompassing singing, dancing, rapping, and more, as recounted by Fatou.

In her words, “You are expected to perform every task, even when it’s painful, and you find yourself in tears, feeling as if your body might give way. If you’re told to hold a particular position, you hold it, regardless of the discomfort.”

The prevailing culture of competitiveness and the intricate social hierarchy, mirroring the norms of daily life and education in Korea, compounded the difficulties. These challenges were exacerbated by the separation from family and the process of adapting to life in a foreign land.

According to Yoon Deung-ryong, the CEO of DR Management, these trials are intrinsic to the forging of a K-pop star. He asserted that such rigorous training was indispensable in molding aspiring musicians into individuals who are “presentable” on the stage.

Numerous foreign trainees ultimately returned to their home countries due to struggles in acclimating to the Korean system, Yoon noted. Those hailing from Europe or South America, he explained, had grown up with an emphasis on independence and were less prone to adhering to strict instructions.

The four individuals chosen as Blackswan members, he emphasized, emerged as the ones who triumphed over these obstacles. They demonstrated their mettle by surmounting the challenges, embodying the qualities necessary to succeed in such an environment.

K-pop stars are made, not born

While the training regimen for Blackswan was undoubtedly demanding, it pales in comparison to the even more rigorous routines that many other K-pop stars have endured, often commencing at a younger age and enduring longer durations of training.

For certain trainees, initiation begins as early as eight years old, requiring them to reside in dormitories away from their families. They adhere to strict dietary plans and follow a grueling schedule that encompasses every facet of their daily lives.

Consider the globally acclaimed Blackpink, who recently headlined Coachella, marking the first instance of an Asian act achieving this feat. They underwent six years of training prior to their official debut as a group. On the other hand, the iconic G-Dragon reportedly underwent a staggering 11 years of training across two major agencies before making his debut. By comparison, some of the more recent Blackswan members have undergone training for a year or even less. Fatou, the member with the longest tenure, joined the company merely four years ago.

This training process diverges markedly from the approaches employed in other countries, establishing a hallmark of the K-pop genre. According to Lee Gyu-tag, an educator specializing in pop music and media studies at George Mason University Korea, K-pop trainees are groomed not solely in performance skills but also in navigating the media landscape, interacting with fans, and even managing their personal lives. This comprehensive preparation serves as a rehearsal for the monumental pressures that real K-pop stars, often referred to as “idols,” encounter post-debut. It’s common for idols to be prohibited from publicly dating or disclosing personal matters, a practice aimed at preventing fan displeasure or detachment. However, there are gradual shifts toward greater openness in this regard.

Lee emphasizes that record labels are not solely focused on producing music but on honing individuals to realize their full potential as musicians. This multifaceted approach, he asserts, constitutes an integral element of the K-pop music industry’s essence.

Changing face of K-pop

The diversity within the group serves as a reflection of the evolving landscape of K-pop, which has surged in global popularity over the past decade. Notably, groups such as BTS and Blackpink have risen to become international sensations, securing their status as household names.

The widespread appeal of K-pop is part of a larger cultural phenomenon, wherein K-dramas, Korean beauty products, and Korean fashion have all experienced similar triumphs on the global stage. This increasing interest in Korean culture has even prompted numerous foreign enthusiasts to travel to South Korea and embark on learning the Korean language. For some, the logical progression has been a pursuit of their own K-pop stardom. Recalling her journey, Fatou shared, “When I was 15, my friend showed me a K-pop music video… and since then, I kind of got stuck on the K-pop genre.” She dabbled in various musical genres but was steadfast in her conviction that K-pop was her calling.

Experts, however, emphasize that the K-pop genre is loosely defined. Unlike genres characterized by specific musical attributes like rhythm or lyrical themes, K-pop artists release a diverse array of music. Furthermore, the genre is not tethered solely to the Korean language. For instance, BTS, the preeminent K-pop group globally, has progressively unveiled songs in English, including chart-topping hits like “Dynamite” and “Butter.”

Intriguingly, Lee highlighted that the K-pop genre didn’t originate within the South Korean music industry itself. Instead, it was fans abroad, situated in Asian hubs such as Hong Kong and Taiwan, who embraced “a particular kind of Korean popular music… and named it K-pop.”

Blackswan theory

Blackswan is now poised to leverage this global audience and their members’ diverse backgrounds to offer a fresh perspective and break through the saturated market. This diversity resonates in the music they create. As Gabi, the Brazilian member, noted, their songs occasionally incorporate other languages like English and even a touch of Spanish alongside Korean. Their recent single “Karma” featured a music video filmed in the Indian state of Odisha, Sriya’s hometown, capturing elements of traditional Indian attire, jewelry, and local scenery.

Sriya expressed her gratitude and pride for being able to represent India on an international platform through her involvement in the group. Yoon, the CEO, disclosed their intention to shoot future music videos in the home regions of the other members, spanning West Africa, Brazil, and the United States.

However, skeptics persist. Attendee Lee Wool, who was present at the Waterbomb festival, acknowledged her doubts about considering Blackswan truly K-pop due to the absence of Korean members, albeit acknowledging their technical categorization. She voiced concerns that K-pop groups without Korean members might lead to a depletion of skills in the industry.

Yoon disclosed that peers in the music industry had branded his approach “crazy,” suggesting the inclusion of at least one Korean member during the group’s debut preparations. Yet, the Blackswan members reveal that most criticisms originate from international onlookers, while Korean fans and artists have largely provided unwavering support. They underscore that their group’s essence lies in pushing boundaries and altering perceptions of what K-pop embodies.

Fatou highlighted, “There are millions of fans of K-pop, all from different backgrounds, all different colors.” She emphasized the power of representation, noting that the group’s diverse composition can inspire individuals from various walks of life to pursue their dreams: “It’s gonna push them more to be like… She’s Black. She’s Indian. She’s from America. She’s Brazilian. But she still achieved it – so we can do it too.”