SM Entertainment’s UK K-pop group set to make their debut
In recent years, international and multinational K-pop groups have been on the rise. While groups like BLACKSWAN exist that have no members from Korea but sing in Korean and promote in South Korea, many other global K-pop acts, such as VCHA and KATSEYE, are thriving, filled with foreign members but also sing in English and are under K-pop agencies, using the K-pop formula.
Though most of these “global K-pop groups” have been female, K-pop powerhouse SM Entertainment is set to debut its first UK-based boy group, “dearALICE” (A Love I Can’t Explain) along with MOON&BACK Media. Signed with Gamma, a US media and record company, they are finalizing preparations for their debut single later this year.
Comprising James, Dexter, Olly, Reese, and Blaise, the group has already got many talking after they featured in a six-episode TV series titled Made in Korea: The K-Pop Experience on the UK’s BBC 1. The series’ soundtrack topped the UK Official Soundtrack Albums Chart in its first week of release. Let’s get to know these members.
James
Birth Name: James Sharp
Birthday: February 9, 2001
Born in Huddersfield, England, James is the oldest member of the group. He made his solo debut on June 30, 2023, with the single “Cold as Ice.” Before being chosen for the group, he was a social media influencer with over 1 million followers on TikTok. He also co-manages the popular TikTok account “Sharp Twins” with his twin brother Lewis, which has over 5 million followers.
Dexter
Birth Name: Dexter Greenwood
Birthday: February 6, 2002
Born in London, England, Dexter trained at the D&B Academy of Performing Arts. He danced for JLS on Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and appeared in a Virgin Media Get Online ad. The first K-pop song he heard was Butter by BTS, and his favorite K-pop group is NCT Dream.
Olly
Birth Name: Oliver Maratty Quinn
Birthday: January 23, 2004
Born in Sunderland, England, Olly began his musical journey as a childhood chorister, developing a passion for singing from a young age. He later graduated from Bird College with a focus on dance and musical theatre. Olly is also a fan of the rock bands Blur and The Cure.
Reese
Birth Name: Reese Carter
Birthday: February 16, 2004
Born in Wiltshire, England, Reese has experience as a stage performer on cruise ships. His favorite dance styles are hip-hop and commercial. He has also expressed a desire to experiment with as many hair colors as possible.
Blaise
Birth Name: Blaise Landsbert-Noon
Birthday: January 4, 2005
Born in London, England, Blaise is a former pupil of the BRIT School, where he trained in the Practical Dance Department. He has a passion for photography, baking, and dancing. His favorite K-pop groups are aespa and RIIZE.
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