K-pop idols are not requiring aspiring trainees to be Korean-born. Still, as per Kpopstarz, the idols featured below were born and raised abroad and had to learn how to speak Korean upon transferring their residency and career to South Korea.
STRAY KIDS' FELIX
Felix hails from Australia with both Korean parents. Despite growing up with his Korean parents, he dominantly speaks the English language and only knew a little of Korean when he first came to the country as a trainee.
The idol shared that he consistently studied the Korean language, especially that he is the least fluent member of Stray Kids when it comes to speaking the mother tongue. He further revealed that fellow band member Lee Know helped him become more proficient in the said language.
GIRLS GENERATION'S TIFFANY
Tiffany was born and raised in California, USA. She previously shared that she learned speaking Korean growing up, but her Korean vocabulary is still down-low. Tiffany also revealed that she experienced being the subject of tease by her fellow band members for her lack of Korean vocabulary.
The incident made her decide to study Korean more efficiently, having member YoonA confirm the matter, saying she had seen growth and changes to Tiffany's Korean.
SEVENTEEN'S JOSHUA
Joshua comes from Los Angeles, California, to full Korean parents on both sides. He is used to speaking English when not at home with his family. With his parent's protocol of speaking only Korean at home, it made the idol sincerely learn the language upon arriving in South Korean.
However, the difficulty he underwent is writing in Korean.
NU'EST'S ARON
Aron hails from California to both Korean parents. His parents were not able to teach him how to speak Korean, as they converse in English at home and outside.
When he arrived at PLEDIS Entertainment's audition, he had no experience or knowledge about the Korean language, so he had to start from the very beginning in learning the said language. The matter led him to enroll in a Korean language school to learn further speaking, writing, and reading Korean.
