Explore the captivating journey of Aria, the first-ever Indian K-pop idol to perform on South Korea’s iconic music shows. From her humble beginnings in Kerala to her successful debut with X:IN, dives into Aria’s groundbreaking journey, symbolizing K-pop’s global embrace and the transformative power of music. 

The star of our story is Aria from X:IN, a 20-year-old sensation hailing from the exotic landscapes of Kerala in Southern India, now setting the K-pop stages on fire. From Gauthami to Aria: 

Aria, born Gauthami in Kerala, is a fresh face in the K-pop industry. With her stunning performances on top music shows like Show! Music Core and Inkigayo she’s living the dream every K-pop star aspires to. 

Let’s rewind to Aria’s humble beginnings from the serene backwaters of Kerala. Her journey to stardom started on the online training platform Universe, where she trained under the pseudonym Ami. 

 Did you know! After joining GBK Entertainment in 2022, she transformed from Gauthami to Aria, a name that would soon be on the lips of K-pop fans worldwide. Later that year, in November, she took up the name Aria, and it was announced that she’d debut with the group MEP-C, only for the post to be removed later. In 2023, X:IN officially announced her as the final member. 

Debuting into Stardom: 

As Aria made her successful debut with X: IN’s pre-release single, ‘Who Am I’, on March 12, 2023, she not only stepped into the spotlight but also brought India’s vibrant culture onto the global K-pop stage.  

There’s been a lot of chatter about whether she’s the first or second Indian K-pop idol. BLACKSWAN’s Sriya Lenka is the first Indian K-pop idol, but she has yet to officially debut as the group has not released any music since her addition. The debate continues, but the fact remains that Aria has blazed a trail in the industry, and One thing that people are sure of is that she is the second Indian to successfully make her way into a K-pop idol group. 

 Did you know! Aria can speak four languages, English, Malayalam, Korean, and Hindi. 

Embracing Globality: 

Back home, the Indian K-pop fandom is ecstatic. Aria has successfully represented her country and brought her unique flavour to the K-pop scene. Her melodic voice, magnetic performances, and striking looks have captivated audiences, not just in India and South Korea but globally. This new wave signifies a bright future for collaborations between India and South Korea in the music industry. 

Endnote:  

So, K-pop isn’t just about Korea anymore. It’s a global phenomenon, absorbing and showcasing talent from all around the world. It’s a melting pot of cultures, and Aria is living proof. But that’s not all.  

Did you know that our K-pop star also donned the hat of an actress in a 2011 drama/thriller movie titled Melvilasom?  

Well, isn’t that a fun fact! 

Aria is redefining the K-pop world with her diverse talent and extraordinary journey. Her story is a beacon of hope and inspiration for many young aspirants dreaming of a breakthrough in the music industry.