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Preparing for a K-pop audition

K-pop audition preparation for foreigners: Mistakes and Countermeasures of K-Pop Audition Applicants Who Cannot Speak Korean

K-pop audition preparation for foreigners

Hello. This is Teacher Lime from Star Bank Daeppang. When I talk to people who dream of becoming K-pop stars around the world, they always worry a lot about their Korean. They often ask me if they will be penalized for not speaking Korean. Today, I will post about that.

Here are some common mistakes that K-pop audition applicants who cannot speak Korean make during auditions and how to prepare for them.

#Major mistakes made by applicants who cannot speak Korean

[1] Not familiar with basic Korean greetings

  • If you cannot even say a basic greeting to the judges at the audition (e.g., “Hello. I am [name]”), you may look unprepared.
  • The judges value the efforts of the applicants, so it is important to know basic Korean greetings.

[2] Singing with incorrect pronunciation

  • If you pronounce Korean lyrics incorrectly or sing them incorrectly, your ability to communicate may decrease.
  • For example, if you sing BTS or BLACKPINK songs, your Korean pronunciation will be penalized.

[3] Misunderstanding of Attitude Due to Cultural Differences

  • In Korean culture, courtesy and humility are important. However, there are cases where you may appear arrogant or unprepared due to your body language or speech.
  • Avoiding eye contact with the judges or omitting proper gratitude may make you appear insincere.

[4]. Mistakes in Song/Dance Selection

  • If you choose a song in Korean but do not understand the lyrics properly or do not convey the emotions that match the song, your score may be lowered.
  • Failure to show the sophistication and expressiveness characteristic of K-pop in dance performances is also a problem.

[5]. Lack of Prepared Self-Introduction

  • If you do not sufficiently appeal yourself in your self-introduction or simply speak in English, it may be difficult for the judges to understand.
  • A simple self-introduction and expression of your dream in Korean will make a positive impression.

#How to Prepare
[1]. Learning Basic Korean Sentences

  • Practice simple Korean sentences that will be used during the audition.
  • “Hello. I am [name]. I am from [nationality]. Thank you.”
  • “My dream is to be a K-pop singer.” – Even if your pronunciation is not accurate, it is important to show that you have put in effort.

[2]. Learn to pronounce lyrics correctly

  • Record the lyrics of the song you will sing and correct your pronunciation.
  • If you understand the meaning of the words in the lyrics of a Korean song, even if it is just a little, you can convey your emotions better.
  • Use YouTube or a pronunciation correction app to learn accurate pronunciation.

[3]. Understanding the culture and preparing your attitude

  • In Korea, ‘courtesy’ is very important.
  • Practice bowing your head before and after the audition.
  • Always maintain a humble attitude and always say “thank you.”
  • During the audition, do not avoid eye contact and speak confidently.

[4]. Choosing the right song and choreography

  • Choose the song you can sing best. It does not have to be a Korean song, but it is advantageous to choose a K-pop song.
  • For dancing, it is better to show accurate and refined movements rather than overly complicated choreography.
  • Practice facial expressions that can convey the emotions of the song.

[5]. Preparing a Self-Introduction

  • Prepare a simple and honest self-introduction. For example:
  • It is also a good idea to mix Korean and English in your self-introduction.

[6]. Analyzing K-pop styles

  • Analyze the characteristics of major entertainment companies such as HYBE, SM, YG, and JYP and prepare a performance that fits their style.
  • For example, HYBE emphasizes storytelling and emotional expression, while JYP emphasizes individuality and stage manners.

#Tips for passing
[1]. Appealing passion and effort

  • Even if your Korean skills are lacking, showing effort will greatly impress the judges. Show an attitude of wanting to learn basic Korean.

[2]. Natural confidence

  • Do not act too nervous or exaggerated. Show your natural and honest self.

[3]. Respect Korean culture

  • Since many of the judges are Korean, show respect for Korean culture.

[4]. Continuous practice

  • Improve your pronunciation, facial expressions, and performance through repeated practice.
  • Get feedback from friends or family and improve what you lack.

[5]. Open mind

  • Even if you fail, think of it as a process of improving your skills for the next opportunity. Persistence is the key to debuting in K-pop.

Through this preparation, you can confidently audition. Even if you don’t speak Korean, you can pass with effort and passion. We will be with you until the day you become a K-pop star. Thank you.😊

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