Philix to Haruto: Korean Fluency Revealed
- several foreign-born members of popular K-pop groups are drawing attention for their extraordinary Korean language skills.
- Haruto, a Japanese member of the group Treasure, exemplifies this trend.
- Kim Jae-joong, who is fluent in Japanese, conversed with Haruto in Japanese before humorously declaring, "I'm Korean," emphasizing Haruto's seamless integration into the language.
K-Pop Idols amaze Fans With Korean Fluency
Table of Contents
- K-Pop Idols amaze Fans With Korean Fluency
- K-Pop Idols: Mastering the Korean Language
- Why are K-Pop Idols’ Korean Language Skills Impressing Fans?
- Which K-Pop Idols Are Known for Their Korean fluency?
- Treasure’s Haruto: How Fluent is He?
- Stray Kids’ Felix: How Did His Korean Skills Improve?
- (G)I-DLE’s Yuqi: is Her Korean Really That Good?
- Comparing the Korean Language Skills of These K-Pop Idols
April 19,2025
several foreign-born members of popular K-pop groups are drawing attention for their extraordinary Korean language skills. Their fluency is frequently enough showcased on various entertainment programs, leaving audiences impressed.
TreasureS Haruto: Mistaken for a Native Korean Speaker
Haruto, a Japanese member of the group Treasure, exemplifies this trend. During an appearance on the YouTube channel ‘Jaesin-gu’ on April 17, singer Kim Jae-joong jokingly questioned Haruto’s nationality. “You’re not really Japanese,are you?” Kim Jae-joong asked. Haruto responded that he has been in Korea for about six years. Kim Jae-joong then quipped, “Haruto is just Korean. Are you trying to deceive us?”
Kim Jae-joong, who is fluent in Japanese, conversed with Haruto in Japanese before humorously declaring, “I’m Korean,” emphasizing Haruto’s seamless integration into the language.
Previously,Haruto’s Korean proficiency was highlighted on the YouTube channel ‘Dong-in friend Kang Nami’ in June 2024. Kang Nami remarked that Haruto coudl easily be mistaken for a native Korean speaker. Haruto admitted that he often faces such “misunderstandings.” Kang Nami added, “I feel like I’m just taking a picture with Koreans.”
Stray Kids‘ Felix: From Limited Korean to complete Comfort
Felix, of the group Stray Kids, also boasts strong Korean language skills and even has a Korean name, Lee Yong-bok. Born in Sydney, Australia, Felix, a second-generation Korean, had limited Korean proficiency until 2017. before his debut, his initial struggles with the language were documented on Mnet’s ‘Stray Kids’ in 2017. As then, his language skills have steadily improved, earning praise from fans.
During an appearance on MBC’s ’Radio Star’ last year, Felix stated, “English was much more cozy at the time of debut, but now Korean is comfortable.” One online commenter noted, “Felix was a foreigner? His Korean pronunciation is so natural that I forgot he was a foreigner.”
(G)I-DLE’s Yuqi: Surpassing Native speakers?
Chinese members of the group (G)I-DLE are known for their Korean skills.Fans jokingly suggest that they speak Korean better than some of the group’s native Korean members. On the TVN entertainment program ‘Amazing Saturday,’ which aired in 2022, SHINee’s key jokingly said, “People who claim to be a foreign member must show their passport.”
Yuqi of (G)I-DLE, actually, holds a TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) level 5 certification. Level 5 indicates excellent Korean language skills applicable not only in everyday life but also in professional settings.
K-Pop Idols: Mastering the Korean Language
Why are K-Pop Idols’ Korean Language Skills Impressing Fans?
Several foreign-born members of popular K-pop groups are gaining attention for their exceptional Korean language skills. Their fluency is frequently showcased on various entertainment programs, leaving audiences impressed and in awe. The ability to speak Korean fluently allows these idols to connect with fans, participate in interviews, and create music in a more authentic way.
Which K-Pop Idols Are Known for Their Korean fluency?
The article highlights the impressive Korean skills of several K-pop idols. Here are a few examples:
Haruto (Treasure): Known for being mistaken as a native Korean speaker.
felix (Stray Kids): Demonstrates notable betterment in Korean, going from limited proficiency to complete comfort.
Yuqi ((G)I-DLE): Known for her excellent Korean skills. Some fans joke that she speaks Korean better than some native Korean speakers.
Treasure’s Haruto: How Fluent is He?
how good is Haruto’s Korean?
haruto, a Japanese member of the group Treasure, is exceptionally fluent in korean. His fluency is so impressive that he’s often mistaken for a native speaker. On the YouTube channel ‘Jaesin-gu,’ singer Kim Jae-joong even questioned Haruto’s nationality, jokingly asking, “You’re not really Japanese, are you?”
What are some examples of Haruto’s Korean proficiency being praised?
Jaesin-gu YouTube Channel (April 17, 2025): Kim Jae-joong humorously questioned Haruto’s nationality and noted his seamless integration into the language.
* Dong-in friend Kang Nami YouTube Channel (June 2024): Kang Nami remarked that Haruto could easily be mistaken for a native Korean speaker. Haruto admitted that he often faces such “misunderstandings.”
Stray Kids’ Felix: How Did His Korean Skills Improve?
What was Felix’s Korean proficiency like before his debut?
Felix, of Stray Kids, was born in Sydney, Australia, and initially had limited Korean proficiency. His struggles with the language were documented on Mnet’s ‘Stray Kids’ in 2017 before his debut.
How did Felix improve his korean?
Through consistent effort and immersion, Felix’s language skills have substantially improved, earning him praise from fans. He even has a Korean name, Lee Yong-bok.
How does Felix feel about Korean now?
Felix, during an appearance on MBC’s ‘Radio Star,’ stated that while English was more comfortable at the time of his debut, Korean is now comfortable for him.
(G)I-DLE’s Yuqi: is Her Korean Really That Good?
What is (G)I-DLE known for?
The Chinese members of (G)I-DLE are known for their excellent Korean skills.
What proof is there of Yuqi’s advanced Korean skills?
Yuqi of (G)I-DLE holds a TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) level 5 certification. This indicates excellent Korean language skills applicable in everyday life and professional settings.
What did SHINee’s Key say about (G)I-DLE’s Korean?
On the TVN entertainment program “Amazing Saturday” in 2022,SHINee’s Key jokingly said,”People who claim to be a foreign member must show their passport”,to emphasize yuqi’s great Korean.
Comparing the Korean Language Skills of These K-Pop Idols
Here’s a quick comparison of the Korean language abilities of the idols mentioned:
| Idol | Group | Nationality | Key Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haruto | Treasure | Japanese | Frequently mistaken for a native Korean speaker. |
| Felix | Stray Kids | Australian (Second-generation Korean) | Remarkable improvement in Korean fluency, now comfortable in the language. |
| Yuqi | (G)I-DLE | Chinese | Holds a TOPIK Level 5 certification. |