Big Hit Entertainment's Acceptance of Foreigners: An Insight
Big Hit Entertainment, a prominent player in the Korean entertainment industry, is often portrayed as a barrier to non-East Asian talent due to the perception that it predominantly recruits individuals with a strong affinity to Korean heritage. This article delves into the current stance of Big Hit Entertainment on accepting foreigners and provides insights based on their recent and current activities.
Current Challenges for Foreign Talent
One may encounter challenges in gaining acceptance from Big Hit Entertainment if one is not of East Asian heritage. The company has often favored talent that looks and speaks as though they are from East Asia. However, exceptions exist, and there are growing instances where foreign-born performers have managed to succeed.
Examples of Non-Asian Talent in Big Hit Entertainment
Big Hit Entertainment has occasionally made room for individuals with mixed heritage. For instance, Huening Kai from the group TXT and JJ from Trainee A, both of whom may be part of a future debut, are not directly from Europe but have partial European ancestry. This presence challenges the stereotypical belief that Big Hit solely believes in recruiting Asian talent.
Unfortunately, Big Hit has publicly debuted only a limited number of foreigners. BTS, the most globally recognized group from Big Hit, consists entirely of Korean members, with the exception of V, who has Filipino heritage. On the other hand, TXT features three fully Korean members, one of whom is half Korean, reflecting the relationship between Huening Kai and his German/Polish/Scottish descent.
Debut Projects and Future Prospects
HYBE (Big Hit Entertainment's parent company) announced plans to debut a group based in the United States. However, the composition of this group remains a mystery, and while it's possible that foreign-born talent may be included, the focus on Korean language and culture suggests a selective approach.
The current bias in Big Hit Entertainment extends to their recruitment process. While the company does accept applications, the likelihood of being picked is significantly reduced if one is not Asian or does not look Asian. Talents who are not fluent in Korean are encouraged to apply, as Big Hit offers language training.
Debate and Future Outlook
It is important to note that while Big Hit Entertainment currently maintains a preference for Asian talent, the industry is evolving. In recent years, there have been encouraging signs of more inclusive practices. However, the company has not officially denied the possibility of accepting non-Asian talent in the future, leaving room for optimism.
Despite the challenges, aspiring talents from Europe and elsewhere continue to audition for Big Hit Entertainment. Some have managed to succeed, especially if they possess unique and talented qualities, even with limited Asian appearance or heritage.
Conclusion
While Big Hit Entertainment has traditionally held a preference for talent with strong connections to East Asian heritage, there are grounds for hope and possibility of change in the future. The industry is continuously evolving, and it will be exciting to see the extent to which Big Hit Entertainment adapts its practices to become more inclusive and diverse.