1. RM of BTS

When the BTS front man grabbed a microphone to deliver a speech at last year’s Billboard Music Awards, the world had gasped at his fluent English skill that almost sounded like a native speaker.

Born and bred in Korea, RM also boasted his impressive English skill on Ellen DeGeneres’ show, where he also served as a translator for other members.

RM later filled in his surprised fans by sharing that he prepped the language by watching the sitcom “Friends.” RM’s mother bought him every season of the series on DVD and that she used to make him watch the show when he was a teen. The “Fake Love” rapper also speaks Japanese and Chinese.


2. Jennie of Black Pink





Some say Jennie looks the cutest when she speaks English with her New Zealand accent.

Born in Anyang, a small satellite city of Seoul, the Blackpink artist spent her youth in Auckland from when she was 10 years old until she returned to Korea to attend high school. Due to her long stay in New Zealand, the YG princess often showcases English with a charming accent, which won her more international fans.

She previously revealed the story behind her study abroad in a live broadcast, in which she said, “When I was 9 years old, I went to New Zealand and Australia for a holiday, and when we were in New Zealand my mum asked me, ‘Jennie, do you like it here?’ so I said ‘Yeah.’”

She answered her mom’s question and she was sent abroad. What a cool mom!


3. Key of SHINee




Although his stay in the US only spanned about six months when he was in elementary school, Key of SHINee is a hidden gem. He is often seen speaking fluent English during the group’s global tours and doing interviews in English with foreign media.

He has also recently lent his voice for English synth pop band Years & Years’ remix version of “If You’re Over Me,” singing in both Korean and English alongside the British trio.

Just like RM, Key shared that he learned English by watching dramas like “Big Bang Theory,” “Gossip Girl,” “Friends” and “The Walking Dead.”


4. Wendy of Red Velvet




Wendy, the vocalist of Red Velvet, is widely known as an English master.

The only member who studied abroad within the group, Wendy moved to Ontario, Canada, with her older sister when she was 9 years old. Then she moved to the US, where she built an eye-opening academic portfolio at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School, a private boarding school in Minnesota.

It has been reported that Wendy received an award from former US President Barack Obama when she was in eighth grade and even received another award that was only given to one person in her graduating class before graduation.

Wendy was cast by SM Entertainment after auditioning at the S.M. Global Audition in Canada in 2012. Her excellent English has been televised in variety shows such as “Problematic Men” and “Ask Us Anything.”

(lotus@heraldcorp.com)