(September 20, 2024) The Hallyu Wave, a cultural movement from South Korea, has captured the world’s attention with its catchy music, impressive dance moves, and powerful storytelling. This wave, led by the global popularity of K-Pop, has made a strong impact in India. From the busy streets of Mumbai to the peaceful areas of Kerala, Indians have embraced K-Pop with great enthusiasm, turning it into a cultural craze. The energetic performances of K-Pop groups, blending music, dance, and fashion, have connected with Indian youth, creating a passion that crosses borders.
In the growing K-Pop craze in India, Gauthami, known by her stage name Aria, has become a shining example of determination and dreams. Coming from Kerala, Aria is the second Indian to join a K-Pop group, following Sriya Lenka’s groundbreaking success. Her story reflects the hopes of many Indian fans who have passionately followed K-Pop and dreamed of being part of its exciting world. It was in April 2023 that Aria made a stunning debut with the girl group X:in that released its first album Keeping the Fire. Getting attention for her nationality, she said, “I thought people from India would be giving me all the attention but it turned out that people from all over the world are showering with me love and support. I was surprised but at the same time feel grateful.”
Aria
Born in 2003, Gauthami was always interested in the performing arts. It was this love that led her to the big screen. As an eight-year-old, she appeared in the 2011 Malayalam court drama Melvilasom, where she played the role of an adopted daughter of a Dalit soldier who is accused of killing another soldier on duty. While she was in awe of her first tryst with the cinematic world, growing up, like many Indian teenagers, she too fell in love with K-Pop. It was BTS that prompted her to pursue her journey in K-Pop. “Their songs are very meaningful and there is this one song Tomorrow that resonated with me. That song inspires you to do what you want to do,” the Global Indian said in an interview.
Keen to try her luck in K-Pop, she applied for online auditions. For a two-minute clip (vocals plus dance), she prepared for two months because she wanted to give her all. Explaining the process, she reveals that one can find the links to the auditions on the Instagram page of the K-pop companies. She emphasises the need to focus on the quality of the audio and video while submitting online auditions. Being a professionally untrained singer, it was pure love for music that kept her listening to music and singing more of it.
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Upon her selection, she flew down to Seoul in October 2022 to train for six months. “I was terrified as I was now part of an entirely new world. Also, I was given my debut song on the very first day of the training, so we jumped right into practicing our debut song,” she said. It was during one such practice session that her producer realised that she was good at rapping, and that’s how she moved from being a vocalist to a rapper in the band.
Moving from the known comfort of her culture and home to Korea was a little overwhelming for this K-Pop star initially. But over some time, she started enjoying the Korean lifestyle and culture. “At many times, I found things harder to be than I thought but never did I think of returning to India as I had come so far for nothing.” Interestingly, she became the first Indian to have hit the Korean live stage, which is nothing short of historic. “It was my dream and I am so grateful that I could realise it.”
The 21-year-old, who has begun her K-Pop journey with X:in, wants her girl band to enter the Billboard Charts in the near future. But as an individual artiste, she wants to do a lot of music and also try acting. “I’m open to offers from K-dramas and Bollywood.”
Aria’s achievement not only marks a new chapter in the story of the Hallyu Wave in India but also represents cross-cultural unity, where music and rhythms go beyond language barriers, bringing fans together in joyful celebration and admiration.
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