K-pop might be South Korea’s biggest cultural export, but some of its most celebrated stars actually have roots much closer to home. Over the past decade, Australia has emerged as an unexpected incubator for K-pop talent with a growing number of Australian-born or raised artists making their mark in the industry.
From Blackpink’s Rosé to Stray Kids’ Felix and Bang Chan, these artists are not only headlining sold-out stadium tours but they’re also fronting luxury fashion campaigns and redefining global pop culture.
Below, we break down the most famous Australian K-pop stars, where they came from, and how they climbed to the top of the industry.
Felix of Stray Kids
If you’ve spent any time on K-pop TikTok (or, let’s be honest, just existing on the internet), you’ve probably encountered Felix Lee. Born and raised in Sydney, Felix is one of Stray Kids’ most recognisable members—both for his impossibly deep voice and his ability to break the internet with a single smirk. But Felix isn’t just dominating music charts—he’s also a rising force in the fashion world.
In March 2025, he cemented his ‘It-boy’ status by becoming a muse for Louis Vuitton’s artistic director for womenswear, Nicolas Ghesquière. Not only did he sit front row at Paris Fashion Week, but he also made his runway debut at the brand’s Fall-Winter 2025 show, further solidifying his place as K-pop’s luxury fashion darling.
Rosé of Blackpink
If there’s one thing Australians love, it’s taking any chance to claim international superstars as their own—and when it comes to K-pop royalty, Rosé (Roseanne Park) is as close as it gets. Born in New Zealand but raised in Melbourne from the age of seven, Rosé grew up singing in church choirs while attending Canterbury Girls Secondary College. At 16, she packed her bags and moved to South Korea to train under YG Entertainment—an audition process so selective, it makes getting into Harvard look easy.
Since debuting with BLACKPINK in 2016, Rosé has become one of the most recognisable voices in K-pop. She even broke multiple Guinness World Records with her solo debut, including becoming the first K-pop artist to reach number one on the Apple Music Top 100 Global Chart and the highest-charting album by a K-pop female soloist on the Billboard 200. Now, she’s walking some of the biggest red carpets in fashion and fronting global campaigns for Tiffany & Co. and Saint Laurent.
Hanni of NewJeans
Hanni, one of the five members of the band NewJeans, is yet another Melbourne-born K-pop star who’s quickly becoming one of the biggest names in the industry. Raised in Australia with Vietnamese heritage, Hanni moved to Seoul in 2020 at just 16 to train under Hybe Entertainment.
It didn’t take long for her to make waves—before even debuting with the band, she was featured in BTS’s iconic Permission to Dance music video, giving fans a glimpse of her potential. In addition to her rising stardom, Hanni has quickly secured high-profile ambassadorships with luxury brands like Gucci and Armani Beauty.
Bang Chan of Stray Kids
Born in Sydney, K-pop powerhouse and multi-talented leader of Stray Kids, Bang Chan is the mastermind behind much of the band’s hit music. Known for his razor-sharp production skills, Bang Chan is the sonic architect behind Stray Kids’ distinctive sound—a blend of hard-hitting beats and emotional depth that has propelled them from K-pop’s underground to global superstardom.
But it’s not just his musical genius that sets him apart; Bang Chan’s been known to lead the group’s intense choreography sessions. Under his leadership, Stray Kids have broken records, dominated charts, and captured the hearts of millions.
Danielle of NewJeans
Danielle is another Aussie gem from the NewJeans crew making waves in the K-pop world. Born in Newcastle, New South Wales, Danielle’s K-pop journey started young. She moved to South Korea in 2019 at just 14 after being scouted by Hybe, and soon found herself as one of the stars of NewJeans when they debuted in 2022.
In 2023, she voiced the Korean dub of The Little Mermaid live-action film, further showcasing her talent beyond music. On top of that, she’s landed partnerships with some of fashion’s biggest names, including Burberry and YSL Beauty, proving that Danielle’s influence is only just beginning.
Jake of Enhypen
Born and raised in Brisbane, Jake, like most Aussie K-Pop stars, moved to Seoul in 2019 to train under Hybe. After just nine months of intense training, he competed on the reality show I-Land, where his band Enhypen was born. Debuting in November 2020, Jake has quickly cemented his place in K-pop, with the group scoring Billboard hits and a rapidly growing an international following.
Lily of Nmixx
Lily’s K-pop journey began in Victoria, where she grew up before moving to South Korea at 13 to train under JYP Entertainment. After seven years of rigorous preparation, she debuted with Nmixx in February 2022. Since then, Lily and the group have been on a steady rise, releasing a handful of EPs.
Why Are Australian Artists Thriving in K-Pop?
Maybe it’s the country’s melting pot of cultures, the early exposure to Western pop influences, or simply the fact that Aussie-born artists have an undeniable knack for commanding the stage. Whatever the reason, one thing is clear—Australian K-pop idols are taking over, and fans can’t get enough.
