Students attending a dance class at the Seoul campus of SM Universe. Photo from SM Universe

If you have ever dreamed of becoming a K-pop star, now's your chance! SM Universe, a subsidiary of South Korean music powerhouse SM Entertainment, is set to launch Southeast Asia's first K-pop training academy, offering regional talents the opportunity to pursue their dreams of becoming idols.

The Singapore campus of SM Universe will be established at *Scape in Singapore and is set to open in June, the academy said in a press release.

The academy's program is a 21-week intensive training focusing on "developing students' skills in vocals, dance, music production, and overall stage presence," SM Universe said.

The program will culminate in a one-week training at the SM Universe campus in Seoul, where top students will also have the opportunity to audition for South Korean entertainment agencies.

SM Universe CEO Jang Jae-won said the academy is looking forward to expanding into Southeast Asia.

"This academy will provide aspiring K-pop artists in the region with world-class education and serve as a springboard for their growth as they pursue their dreams on the international stage," Jang said.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Ang, director of SM Universe in Singapore, said the academy saw "strong growth opportunities" in the region.

"The establishment of a Singapore campus demonstrates our commitment to fostering talent and providing unparalleled growth opportunities for young artists in Southeast Asia. We look forward to seeing the talent that will emerge from our academy," Ang said.

SM Entertainment is one of the leading companies in the K-pop industry, home to numerous popular acts including BoA, TVXQ, Super Junior, Girls' Generation, SHINee, EXO, Red Velvet, NCT, Aespa and RIIZE, among others.

In recent years, YG Entertainment, another leading K-pop agency behind acts such as BIGBANG, 2NE1, and Blackpink, has also been holding auditions in the Philippines.

Many Southeast Asians have debuted in K-pop groups, a move widely seen as a strategy to attract a broader international audience. Notable artists include Blackpink's Lisa and 2PM's Nichkhun from Thailand, Secret Number's Dita and Hearts2Hearts' Carmen from Indonesia, and Tempest's Hanbin from Vietnam.

Among the Filipino K-pop artists are Lapillus' Chanty, UNIS' Elisia and Gehlee, the all-Filipino boy band HORI7ON, and most recently, AHOF's JL.