Do you think foreign idols would rather be popular in their home country over being popular in Korea?

[Sour Patch]

I always wanted to know if foreign idols prefer being popular in their home country rather than in Korea. Like if they hit it big in their home country would they rather leave (EXO-M members) and be famous in their home country instead of Korea.

 

It feels like there is a limit to how popular a foreign idol can become in Korea because at the end of the day Koreans rather have an "it" boy or girl to be Korean.

 

 

Foreign idols have to make the sacrifice of leaving their family, friends, culture, and country behind. I wonder if foreign idols wish they could have promoted or hit it big in their home country instead of having to work in Korea. 

 

Instead of working long hours being an idol in Korea they could have been an actor living comfortably in their home country. 

 

 

Maybe if they were more popular in their home country we would see more foreign idols leaving their groups. 

 

 

Also, how many years do you think foreign idols will probably work in a foreign country before they decide to go back home? 

 

 

 

Korean idols use being an idol to break into the Korean acting industry. It makes sense if a foreign idol use kpop to break into their home country's industry. Industries like China and Japan are far more competitive to break into. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[gangie!]

no, no and no

[HiatusX]

I don't every foreign Idol has the same answer to that

[blue7kaoru]

Yes ofc, i mean a lot of them (if not all) use Korea just as a way to get popular in their home country. I mean let's be real as foreigners they'll never be big and their careers in Korea won't last, so they'd rather return to their home countries.

[OppaiLoli]

Depends on which country but I sort of agree with this

 

Yes ofc, i mean a lot of them (if not all) use Korea just as a way to get popular in their home country. I mean let's be real as foreigners they'll never be big and their careers in Korea won't last, so they'd rather return to their home countries.

[Kazaewin]

If the entertainment country in the home country of the foreign idol pays more than that in Korea, then I guess yes in the answer.

[denizen mars]

I think some must genuinely like and adapt to living and making music in korea, but undoubtedly many wish they could have had a career back home, where they can speak their first language and be close to friends and family. 

[Kissmyass]

 Luhan, Kris, lay, tao and Victoria

[sparkle dust]

they'd be more comfortable if they were popular in their own country. They can speak the language know the culture etc.

[versace]

generally being more famous in your home country would be more comfortable because a. you can speak freely in your mother tounge b. you wont face any racist criticism but its still a case to case basis some idols might have had bad experiences in their home countries which makes them more comfortable to promote in korea

[idontlikekpopanymore]

It depends a lot. For example, I don't think J trio will be more popular in Japan than in Korea (they have their own idols and entertainment). But if in the future they create some credibility and interest from the Japanese public, at the end of Twice's contract, they might leave Korea industry (because the Japanese industry is much bigger than korea industry and give them more possibilities for future professional growth). 

 

For foreign idols, Korean industry is limited. They can't do kdramas and the success of CFs is temporary (Kpop is like any other industry, will always have younger group who will steal your attention & fans). Investing in your career in your country is a smart move and at some point, you will leave the Korean industry. It's just the natural cycle of things.

[feel it yum]

There are 2types of foreign idols

 

1. Using the popularity of Kpop to gain a fanbase among Kpop fans. When they start promoting in their own country they already have decent recognition, a fanbase to support and bring attention to them. It is the same as idol actors choosing to debut as an idol first before going into acting. It's easier.

 

2. Kpop fan that wants to be a Kpop idol. But i think these are the minority and to perversed through all that they should mostly be case 1 where scenario 2 plays a part.

 

Sent from /â—‹/

[jay94]

I think many of them want to be famous in Korea, they liked KPOP, admired KPOP idols and wanted to be like them. If it can't happen and they're more popular in their home country they might consider leaving. Who wouldn't want to be famous in Korea and their home country? But it's hard to find idols who achieved it.

[LockonAL]

The answer to 1 and 2 is "Greed".

[Boba]

i'm sure they'd like to get paid more but that doesn't mean they'll leave their group 

[_Dimples_]

look at Lay and Victoria, both of them rarely promote in korea now when their popularity are high in China, hometown is better than anywhere else