Having European K-pop idol is indeed rare in the industry, as the population of Asian in European countries is smaller than other countries. Thus, these countries are rare spots for scouting trainees to become K-pop idols. However, there are few K-pop idols who are Asians but were born or lived in Europe.
This list provides K-pop idols who were actually raised in Europe, while some stayed for a while before becoming trainees and debuting as K-pop idols.
1. Shannon William
Shannon William is half Korean and Half Welsh, technically making her half-Asian. The former K-pop solo idol was born in London and attended a Theater School before flying to Korea.
In 2014, she debuted as a solo artist under MBK Entertainment, and became popular as well for reaching three-octave notes of IU's "Good Day."
However, due to alleged poor treatment in the industry, she left in 2019 and went back to England without plans to comeback.
2. NCT YangYang Liu
YangYang is Taiwanese who was born in Taiwan. However, they moved to Germany when he was a child, and along with his sister, they were raised in Germany and spent his childhood in Europe.
3. Maddox
Kim Kyung Moon, or popularly known as Maddox was born on Wales, but he was raised in Bournemouth, England for ten years. In particular, he chose his stage name as it is a common surname in the UK; thus, Maddox will serve as a reminder of his roots in the United Kingdom.
He debuted in 2019 under KQ Entertainment and even produced a song for K-pop group ATEEZ. In fact, he's the one who narrated ATEEZ, "Long Journey."
4. HOTSHOT Yoonsan
The member of the K-pop group HOTSHOT, Yoonsan, actually lived in France for eight years. According to media, he also took a design program in the country and even became an intern for luxury brand Chanel.
5. CL
CL was born in Korea, but she grew up in various countries, including France and Japan. The former 2NE1 member actually went to Paris when she was 13, and stayed there for two years before being scouted by YG Entertainment.
6. MONSTA X Hyungwon
Though it is for a short time of three months, Hyungwon actually lived in Europe, particularly in Wiesbaden with his family.
7. Dohyon
Dohyon, a former X1 member and currently promoting with former co-member Hangyul as a duo, in fact, used to live in Denmark in the past. Despite young age, the idol can speak three languages, including English, Japanese, and Korean.
8. SF9 Dawon
The K-pop idol used to study and lived in Spain for months before he became a K-pop idol-trainee.
Bonus:
TXT Huening Kai
Though the idol didn't reside or was born on Europe, rumors claimed that Huening Kai is a Korean-American yet he is a German descendant, as his American father is actually descendant of German, with mix blood of Scottish, Polish and English.
The K-pop idol can actually speak multiple languages: Korean, English, Portuguese, Japanese, and Chinese.