The 8th visit to Korea by Tom Cruise shows how Korea has grown to become a country that many worldwide stars travel to in order to make personal appearances. That is, many foreign celebrities are well-known among Korean people. There are also many famous national celebrities in Korea as well. Maroon 5, Taylor Swift, Messi, and Hugh Jackman for instance all have fan-based clubs in Korea, and they visit Korea to make personal appearances at those clubs. Which famous non-Korean stars do you think have penetrated the Korean market? The Sookmyung Times met three foreign students and asked them about popular celebrities in their home countries and which have managed to become well-known in Korea.
Q1. Who is a famous star in Korea from your country?
Nadzirah Binti Mustafa
To be honest, I don’t know if any famous Malaysian celebrities are known by Koreans. I don’t think Malaysian celebrities have achieved overseas fame in Korea yet. It’s is a very sad realization, from a Malaysian cultural perspective. But, I can say that Amber Chia seems to be quite popular in Korea at the moment. She’s a Malaysian international model. She is very pretty and confident. All Malaysians are proud of her. She is a great role model for all Malaysians.
Kina Ortiz
There are various talented stars in the United States, but in terms of fame in Korea by an American pop star, I would say Beyonce. She is a fantastic singer, a great role model, and leader, well known in both the USA and Korea. Beyonce is a multi-platinum Grammy award R&B singer who rose to fame after leaving the group Destiny's Child. In addition to singing, she has also acted in several movies such as 'The Pink Panther' 'Obsessed', and 'Dream Girls'. She is married to singer Jay-Z and has a daughter named Blue Ivy. Her musical talent has influenced other artists such as Adele, Rihanna and Leona Lewis.
Fatma Tuğçe Kaplan
I think Enes Kaya is famous in Korean. Enes Kaya is a talented entrepreneur and interpreter. He was born on August 22nd 1984. After graduating from high school in Istanbul, he came to Korea to study IT. He studies Korean language at Konkuk University for a year. Then, he enrolled in the Department of Business Administration at Konkuk, specializing in Information Technology. He graduated from the program in 2008. As a Korean undergraduate student, he made several television appearances and worked as an interpreter for FC Seoul, a Korean soccer team. At the moment, he is working in the trade industry, especially, dealings that are carried out between Turkey and Korean and often makes cameo appearances in Korean movies.
Q2. Why did he/she become so famous?
Nadzirah Binti Mustafa
Amber Chia participated in the contest ‘Guess Watches Timeline Beauty International Model Search’ in 2004. It was a global model search. She won the contest, and has since then, starting at the age of 17, she has risen to great fame in the fashion modeling industry. To my regret, she only decided to become a model because of her family’s financial situation. However she is the world’s first Asian model to have won the contest. All Malaysians are proud of her humble start and earned international fame. Today she is also a TV show host, an actor, and a brand ambassador with an illustrious career spanning over 15 years as a model.
Kina Ortiz
Beyonce is a singer and actress. She is very talented, has a wide vocal range, and she is very stylish. She is also known as a feministicon. She became famous as part of the group Destiny's Child with members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. The group became one of the world’s top selling groups of all time. Beyonce decided to go solo, and her decision to do so has brought her even more success and fame. Her latest album, Lemonade, represents the sufferings of African-Americans due to culture issues and is also used as a symbol for socio-political movements like Black Lives Matter. She is recognized by many all over as the album takes a stand in its voicing of topics like police brutality, unrealistic beauty standards, and infidelity.
Fatma Tuğçe Kaplan
Enes Kaya becomes famous after an appearance on television. His first appearance was on a show called ‘Chitchat with beautiful ladies.’ The program that made him popular among Korean people was ‘Nonsummit,’ a talk show in which foreigners discuss issues. Thus Korean people could open their mind to him. However, on December 2nd 2014, he suddenly stopped appearing on television due to shocking controversy. It was revealed that although he was married, he had taken on a mistress. Koreans were upset, but they have forgiven him.
Q3. What do people in your country think about the celebrity? And what are your personal views?
Nadzirah Binti Mustafa
Now that she became a Malaysian star, known to the world, she has opened her company. It’s called ‘Amber Creation’. She is has also opened a modeling school named ‘Amber Chia Academy’. I think this is why Malaysians adore her, for giving back to the country and its people for 15 years. Personally, I adore her passion and confidence as an international fashion model and extended career choices. Sadly, she had to drop out of high school due to her family’s financial situation, but she endeavored, and today her work and achievements prove anything is possible. She has already proved that she can be successful in the world market. All Malaysians and I watch her and sincerely cheerher onwards.
Kina Ortiz
Many people aspire to be like she, though some say she is a bad influence because some of her songs comment on sex, sexuality, and teen pregnancy. However, I don't agree with that. I believe she is a good role model for campaigns like the Black Lives Matter movement. She has so much influence in today's media that she can contribute to change in American society. She is a great role model for women especially young girls and African-American women because she empowers them to strive for a better life and to not settle for what society says a woman should be or can do.
Fatma Tuğçe Kaplan
Despite his extramarital affair, Koreans have seen it in their hearts to overlook his mistake and he has started to rebuild his popularity. However, many Turkish people do not feel the same. In fact, there are some Turks who deny the affair even occurred. I also find it too hard to actually believe. It was natural for him to be the spotlight of a rumor after his sudden fame in Korea. Some Turks and I am one of them, believe Enes Kaya’s talent and ability. Even though there will also be some Koreans who will not like him, if he tries hard enough, he will surely gain the popularity he once had.