KUALA LUMPUR: Aspiring K-pop stars in the region will soon be able to learn from the alma mater of BTS' Jungkook, BlackPink's Jisoo and Exo's Kai.
The Straits Times Singapore reported yesterday that the first K-pop international school will open in Singapore, a collaboration between Singapore Raffles Music College (SRMC) and the School of Performing Arts Seoul (Sopa).
The organisations signed a memorandum of understanding in Seoul to open Sopa-SRMC, which will accept students from Southeast Asia and offer them specialised K-pop education.
SRMC will also facilitate admissions for South Korean students who wish to study in Singapore.
Sopa principal Hosung Lim said: "We are determined to further elevate the School of Performing Arts Seoul's reputation as an exemplary educational institution specialising in K-pop."
The school will conduct classes, led by Sopa faculty members, in English, and the curriculum will integrate the education systems of both countries.
SRMC executive director Ryan Goh said: "We see this as a unique opportunity to bring the essence of specialised performing arts education from South Korea into Singapore and Southeast Asia."
Sopa was established in 1966 as Jeonghui High School and changed its name in 2009.
Its former students, besides Jungkook, Jisoo and Kai, includes singer-actress Bae Suzy, IVE's Yujin and Wonyoung, Red Velvet's Joy and NCT's Mark.
SRMC, founded in 2001, had previously partnered University of West London's London College of Music to offer music and dance degree programmes. It is the only tertiary institution in Singapore with a full focus on music and dance.