Celebrating Waitangi Day by Looking at K-Pop Idols from New Zealand

Today, 6 February, marks Waitangi Day, the national day of New Zealand, which commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, which is the country's founding document.

To celebrate Waitangi Day, we take a look at five K-pop idols who were either born in New Zealand, or have connections to the country.

Beenzino

Hip hop artist and South Korean rapper Lim Sung-bin (stage name Beenzino) was born in South Korea, but spent a significant amount of his childhood living in Christchurch, New Zealand. He returned to South Korea just before attending middle school.

Beenzino first gained recognition when he was recruited by established rapper Simon Dominic, and went on to feature on albums by groups such as Epik High, Dok2, and Supreme Team, before debuting as a solo artist.

MFBTY's Bizzy

Another hip hop artist and rapper, this time a member of hip hop group MFBTY, is Park Jun-young (stage name Bizzy). Bizzy was born in New Zealand before moving to the United States to live with his aunt and uncle. He returned to New Zealand to attend music school at the age of fifteen in 1995, before moving to South Korea in 2001.

Not only a member of MFBTY, Bizzy is a notable songwriter and featured artist on many works, including collaborating with 2PM member Jay Park and G.O.D member Son Hoyoung in the past.

BLACKPINK's Rosé

Born in New Zealand, raised in Australia, living in South Korea, and taking over the world with her music, Roseanne Park is better known by her stage name of Rosé as one of the members of BLACKPINK, one of the world's biggest musical acts.

In Australia, I didn't think that there was much of a chance for me to become a singer, especially to become a K-pop star . . . I was living so far from the country that it never really occurred to me as a possibility.

Her solo album, R, sold more than half a million copies in South Korea alone, as well as selling more than a million digital downloads in China within just forty-eight hours. She also set the record for the highest first-week sales by a Korean female soloist of all time.

BLACKPINK's Jennie

Rosé isn't the only BLACKPINK member with a connection to the island nation of New Zealand. Fellow member Jennie, who was born in South Korea, studied in New Zealand for five years before returning to her homeland.

One of Jennie's most viral moments online comes from her appearance on variety show Knowing Bros, where in response to a question where she's asked how she knows about New Zealand cities, she remarks that she used to live there, and asks one of the cast if he can name any himself.

BTS' RM

Although a less strong connection with the country than many of the others on the list, it wouldn't be right to miss out on BTS' RM in the list. The rapper lived in New Zealand for four months as twelve year old, where he studied.