For the past several years K-Pop artists have been trying their hardest to break into mainstream music industries around the world. Korean music has already overtaken most of Asia including Japan, China, Indonesia and Malaysia and K-Pop idols have routinely sold out concerts throughout the continent.

Sometimes it is easy to forget that these nations have their own pop stars too, and while currently lesser known in the world-wide market, they are starting to gain momentum as they jump on the Korean Wave.

A wonderful example of this new trend is Thai singer Natthew.

After winning Academy Fantasia, a singing audition competition show in Thailand similar to Korea's Superstar K, in 2008 Natthew gained recognition around his home country for his good looks and vocal abilities.

Since then, the Thai entertainment agency CP Group joined with Korea's CJ E&M for the "New Natthew Project," a collaborative effort to bring the young artist to fame in South Korea.

The project provided the singer with rigorous K-Pop training and a full staff to support his debut and promotions in Korea with the idea that he will eventually become a global superstar.

Natthew said in an interview in 2012, "I'm aiming to be recognized by Korean fans as an artist instead of remaining a foreign singer who has thought to visit Korea. I hope to become an artist that helps the exchange of culture between Thailand and Korea.

So far things have been moving slowly for Natthew and his management, but the future looks brighter every day.

His first Korean single, "She's Bad," was released on November 15 of last year and he made his debut stage on M! Countdown the same day.

"She's Bad" is an electronic pop song that features B2ST's Yong Junhyung and Seo-Ah from Brave Girls appears in the music video.

In April, Natthew joined the OST for the popular tvN drama Nine with the song "Oh Please" and even more recently has made his Korean television debut in the popular new music drama Monstar.

Starting from the latest episode (episode 4), Natthew has joined the talented cast as Nawin Thammarat. After meeting while busking on the streets of a famed university area in Seoul, Hongdae, Natthew's character quickly blends in with the other characters.

All this is a step in the right direction for the attractive Thai idol. And as he continues to release Korean music and make appearances on popular TV shows, there is no doubt that he will soon reach his goal of becoming a K-Pop mega star.