KOCHI: Hallyu or the ‘Korean wave’ was a collective term coined in the late ‘90s to encapsulate the rising global popularity of South Korean pop culture, encompassing everything from music and movies to gaming and gastronomy.
India started experiencing the ripples when some youngsters started swooning over the 2009 K-drama ‘Boys Over Flowers’. With Gangnam Style by PSY becoming a rage in 2012, K-pop arrived in style.
Korean pop music is one of the many subgenres of Hallyu. Though the fans are often perceived to be teens, the actual demography of the fan base is quite diverse.
Many of them have, in fact, been vying to enter the K-pop music industry. However, few make the cut; the auditioning is not an easy code to crack. Last year, Odisha native Sriya Lenka, 20, became the first Indian to get a K-break. In April this year, Gauthami (who prefers using only her first name), a 20-year-old hailing from Thiruvananthapuram, was billed as the second K-pop idol from India.
Rechristened as Aria, she recently debuted in the five-member girl band X:IN, under the Escrow Entertainment label, along with Roa, Chi.u, and E.sha from Korea, and Nova from Russia. “It’s the first time a K-pop group is featuring multinational artists, going beyond East Asian countries,” says Aria in a video chat with TNIE.
The five-member multinational group launched their pre-debut single on March 12 and released their debut album ‘Keeping The Fire’ on April 11. Aria is said to be the first Indian to perform on the popular South Korean music programme Inkigayo.
Aria, who grew up in Mumbai, is no stranger to the camera. She started acting as a child artist and has appeared in films, shorts, tele-serials and documentaries. She recalls her debut in the Malayalam film Melvilasom, where she plays the character Ammu. “The role remains close to my heart,” says Aria. “The film was selected for the Busan International Film Festival.”
The K-journey
It has been seven months since Aria landed in South Korea to pursue her passion for music and performance acts. “It was an impulsive decision; I resolved to become a K-pop artist in 2017,” says Aria, who is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer.
“I got hooked to Korean pop music after listening to the popular South Korean boy band BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan). The BTS sunbaenims (seniors) song Blood, Sweat and Tears drove me to the K-world.”
The intricate music videos of BTS -- crammed with plots, ranging from time travel, dream sequences, to heartbreak -- are considered lyrical, visual treats by fans. “Blood, Sweat and Tears was no exception. It was the first time I came across a music video that had music, dance, a storyline, and even acting -- aspects that pique my interest. It was a wholesome package,” Aria gushes.
“Since I never wanted to stick to just one aspect, K-pop seemed like the best place to me.”
Her parents initially laughed it off when Aria, as a 14-year-old, told them about her ‘decision’ of pursuing a career as a K-pop artist. “They thought my dreams would change as I grew up. But I’m a person who is adamant about making things happen,” she says.
“So I really got into K-pop, practising by myself at home. I started watching K-dramas and learnt the language as well. After six years, I passed the online audition. It was only then that my parents realised that I had been serious about it all the while.” Aria is grateful that her parents backed her. “They were supportive and had trust in me. This is a liberation many youngsters in India are denied,” she adds.
Early years
Recalling her childhood, Aria says her family moved to Mumbai when she was in Class 5. Her parents told her she could take up acting once she finished high school. “But I chose music,” says Aria.
“I became fond of music during my middle-school days. Music helped me calm down, especially when I was stressed. Artists like Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal had an impact on me. Then, once I started listening to K-pop, BTS’s Spring Day and Hug from Seventeen, and Sunshine by Stray Kids gave me comfort. So I thought it would be great if I could also be an artist someday, one who gives a sense of comfort to listeners.”
Being the ‘maknae’
Aria says Lady Luck smiled on her last year. “I randomly sent my bio, dance vocal, and rap videos, along with a few pics to a Korean agency,” she adds. “Within a day, I got an invitation to be a part of the agency’s online trainee team. I was shocked at the quick response. And now I am in South Korea.”
Life as a K-pop trainee is said to be difficult due to the stringent grooming regimen, considering that it is a highly competitive industry. “The only professional training that I had undergone earlier was in Bharatanatyam,” says Aria. “Hence, I found the K-pop training sessions to be intense.”
All the other members were professionals in some way or the other, she adds. “To catch up with the rest was hard during the initial days. But my eonnies (elder sisters) made my training days easier, and also helped in developing my skills,” says Aria.
During the producer’s weekly evaluations, he spotted a potential rapper in Aria. “It was a new discovery. I never focused on any particular style; I was ready to take up any role. I just don’t want to settle down as an average performer, I want to be the best in all realms,” she says.
Maknaes or the youngest members of bands usually play the role of an all-rounder in the K-pop industry. “I think it’s a common trait.” However, there were grumbles from fans that Aria was given only a few lines in the ‘Keeping The Fire’ track. “It’s a misconception; it was my decision. The recording happened after a month of joining the group. Owing to my lack of training, I wasn’t confident enough to take up more parts. I didn’t want to mess up and affect the group,” she explains.
A fascinating combination
Aria believes the Russian-Indian mix in the X:IN band has sparked interest among K-pop listeners. “It’s fascinating for them to see a new combination,” she says. “Due to this unique factor, we have been getting a lot of traction. This is also one of the reasons why we stand apart from other groups.”
Aria adds that a splash of the “cultural mix” can be seen in the band’s upcoming videos. “We aim to churn out out-of-the-box stuff,” she says.
Most of the music agencies in South Korea are not liberal in giving their ‘idols’ a chance to write or compose their songs, except in the case of bands such as BTS and Seventeen. “However, our producer discusses the whole process with us. We have a fair share of involvement,” says Aria.
“In our pre-debut single ‘Who Am I?’, Roa eonnie helped in making the chorus, and the choreography part was led by E.sha, along with other members. Our agency encourages us to write lyrics, too. Hopefully, the essence of each member will be seen in the upcoming tracks.”
Love from India
Aria says she feels “blessed” on being “showered with lots of love” from India. “I feel I’m getting more attention than I deserve,” she smiles. “People from India, especially Kerala, have been supportive since the beginning.”