K-pop's global appeal has expanded as it has captured the hearts of music lovers worldwide. As the genre evolves, so does the range of nationalities among its performers. Numerous K-pop groups now feature foreign members who hold essential positions, including leadership roles.

Let's explore seven international K-pop idols who led their groups to success.

Victoria - f(x)

Victoria Song is a Chinese singer, dancer, actress, and model who is also the leader of the veteran K-pop girl group f(x). She was born in 1987, in Qingdao, China, and is one of the significant foreign leaders in the K-pop industry. She debuted with f(x) in 2009. As the group leader, Victoria played a crucial role in managing and guiding her fellow members, helping to establish f(x) as one of the most innovative acts in K-pop.

Fatou – BLACKSWAN

Fatou Samba is the leader of BLACKSWAN, which debuted in 2020 under the label DR Music. Fatou was born in Senegal but was raised in Belgium. She is known for her powerful vocals and charismatic stage presence, which have helped her stand out as a leader and performer. Fatou has also been praised for her ability to speak multiple languages fluently, including Korean, French, German, English, and Dutch.

Mashiro - Kep1er

Sakamoto Mashiro is the co-leader of Kep1er, a nine-member girl group that debuted in 2022. Mashiro is a Japanese member of the group who was born in 1999 in Tokyo. She is known for her multilingual abilities, as she can fluently speak Japanese, Korean, and English. As one of the leaders of Kep1er, Mashiro has shown her leadership skills in guiding the group and helping them navigate the challenges of the K-pop industry.

Keeho - P1Harmony

Yoon Keeho is the leader of P1Harmony. He was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in 2001. Keeho is praised by fans for his charismatic stage presence, and his leadership qualities are evident in the group's dynamic performances. Despite being a foreign-born group member, Keeho has proven himself to be a capable and respected leader, guiding P1Harmony to success with his talent and hard work.

Bang Chan - Stray Kids

Bang Chan is the leader of Stray Kids and has become one of the most respected and beloved figures in the industry. Technically he isn't foreign as he is ethnically Korean but Bang Chan grew up in Australia. The idol first gained attention as a trainee on the reality show "Stray Kids," which led to the formation of his band in 2018. Since then, he has been instrumental in the success of Stray Kids, not just as a leader and performer but as a producer, songwriter, and choreographer too.

Léa - Secret Number

Léa is the leader of Secret Number. She was born in 1995 in Tokyo, Japan, and her real name is Ogawa Mizuki. Léa is fluent in multiple languages, including Japanese, Korean, and English, which makes her an asset to the group when they are promoting internationally. She has gained much attention and praise from fans for her leadership skills. Her dedication and hard work have undoubtedly contributed to the group's success.

Kun - WayV

Qian Kun is the leader of WayV, a sub-unit of the popular K-pop group NCT. He was born in 1996 in Fujian, China. Kun debuted as the leader of WayV in 2019. In addition to being a good leader, Kun is also a skilled songwriter and has contributed to several of WayV's songs. He is highly respected for his leadership. Kun can speak Mandarin, Korean, and English, which has helped him to connect with fans all over the world.

It's a common belief that the leader of a K-pop group sets the tone for the group and is responsible for their overall success. While most K-pop groups have Korean leaders, there are some exceptions where the leader is a foreigner.