If you are a K-pop fan, you already have one of the best English sources there is: the English-language content around your favorite groups. Interviews, US talk show appearances, documentaries and livestreams are real material with everyday vocabulary, and you already want to watch them.
Where to find English in the K-pop world
| Content | What it offers |
|---|---|
| Radio and US talk show interviews | Clear questions and answers, small talk |
| Documentaries and behind-the-scenes | Natural speech, emotions and personal stories |
| Livestreams and fan videos | Spontaneous conversation, current slang |
| Award speeches | Short phrases of thanks and celebration |
| Reaction videos by international fans | Lots of informal English about things you already know |
Idols who speak English
BTS’s RM is known for giving interviews and speeches in fluent English, and BLACKPINK’s Rosé grew up in New Zealand and Australia and speaks English natively. Many other idols studied or lived in English-speaking countries, and many groups have members who handle international interviews.
Why it works
- Motivation: you watch because you want to, so the habit sustains itself.
- Familiar context: you already know what they are talking about, which helps comprehension.
- International English: varied accents and English as a second language, which is what you will hear in the real world.
- Real small talk: interviews are full of “How are you feeling?”, “What’s next for you?”, “Tell us about…”.
How to turn it into practice
- Pick a short interview of 5 to 10 minutes.
- Watch with English subtitles or dual subtitles.
- Write down the interviewer’s questions: they repeat across interviews.
- Save the answers you would like to be able to say, like “It means a lot to us”.
- Rewatch without subtitles a few days later.
With Telidioma
Most of these interviews are on YouTube, many with subtitles. Telidioma shows the English on top and the translation below, and you can click any word or expression to see what it means right away. Want to learn Korean too? See how to learn Korean with K-dramas.
Frequently asked questions
Which idols speak fluent English?
Among the best known, BTS’s RM and BLACKPINK’s Rosé are famous for giving interviews in fluent English. Many other idols grew up or studied in English-speaking countries.
Are interviews good material for learning English?
Yes. Interviews have clear questions and answers, everyday vocabulary and lots of small talk, which is exactly the kind of conversation you will need.
Is the idols' English a good model?
Many idols learned English as a second language, so accents and small mistakes are common. That is great for training your ear for international English, which is what you will hear most in the real world.