After sending one audition video, Singaporean Nicole Bacon is now in rookie K-pop girl group NWH:I

SINGAPORE – Many K-pop hopefuls undergo numerous auditions and slog for years for that one chance to make it in the industry. 

Singaporean Nicole Bacon, on the other hand, appears to have won the lottery.

After reaching out to numerous South Korean K-pop entertainment agencies, she was finally recruited by Na Entertainment after submitting a one-minute hip-hop dance video on Dec 31, 2024 – at lightning speed, no less. 

The 22-year-old – whose father is English and mother Singaporean-Indian – received a call from the company on Jan 2, 2025, and was offered the opportunity to join its six-week training programme that included dance, vocals and Korean-language tests.

On Jan 24, Nicole – who prefers to go by her artiste name – was officially introduced as a trainee of rookie K-pop girl group NWH:I, which stands for New World High teen Idol.

With her family’s blessings, she moved to Seoul in March for full-time, in-person training with other trainees.

What was initially a nine-member act eventually became a septet. The line-up was finalised in August, comprising Nicole; Nina, 26, from the Philippines; Via, 24, from Indonesia; Seungjoo, 24, from South Korea; Alice, 22, from Japan; Mariam, 22, from Germany; and Vanesya, 17, from Indonesia.

Nicole, Alice and Mariam are also part of Na Entertainment’s co-ed group DNA, which consist of South Korean Seunggi, 26, and Brazilian-Japanese Raphael, 24, from the company’s boy band Dustin. 

DNA released their first digital single Change The World on Sept 3, 2025, while NWH:I made their official debut with digital single Like A Flame a month later on Oct 24.

Nicole believes she is the first Singaporean to debut in a K-pop girl group since local actresses Tasha Low and Ferlyn Wong were picked for Skarf in 2012 after two years of training in South Korea. The group disbanded in 2014.

Nicole is proudly flying high the Singapore flag overseas, and never fails to promote her home country any chance she gets – fitting for someone with a pageant background.

She was crowned Miss Singapore Tourism Queen in July 2024 and represented the country at the Miss Tourism International competition in Malaysia in December that same year, where she bagged the Dreamgirl of the Year sash.

“Whenever I’m asked about Singapore, I always tell them about our hawker centres and how they should try our local cuisine such as carrot cake and hor fun,” she tells The Straits Times over Zoom from Seoul, adding that she also recommends tourist attractions like the Singapore Zoo and Marina Bay Sands.

Nicole acknowledges that her accelerated K-pop start is a rare path, since the traditional route includes years of training before making one’s debut.

She also feels luck and timing played a part in her whirlwind journey.

“Na saw video clips of me at Miss Tourism International on Instagram. I think (the company) wanted someone with a different background, and my pageant experience stands out.”  

The K-pop rookie – who was named second runner-up at the 2025 Miss Globalcity World Competition in Taiwan in August – credits pageantry for building her confidence and stage presence, and increasing her chances of being picked for NWH:I.

“In the past, before I did pageants, I was really shy and did not talk much,” says the 1.7m-tall beauty queen.

“I also became more confident when it came to public speaking and being in front of cameras. I think that helped me stand out during the audition (process).”

She adds that since NWH:I were envisioned to be a global K-pop group, being a non-Korean native with an international look from her mixed heritage fit well into the mix.

From Latin ballroom dancing to K-pop moves

Growing up in Singapore, Nicole, a former CHIJ (Toa Payoh) student, has always been interested in dance. She picked up Latin ballroom dancing when she was eight and participated in regional competitions until she was 17, when the Covid-19 pandemic hit.

Her interest shifted to K-pop after being introduced to K-pop boy band BTS by a friend when she was in Yishun Innova Junior College. She then started watching K-dramas too.

Citing BTS member Suga, known for his songwriting skills, as her role model, Nicole pursued songwriting and composition at local private music high school Hitmaker Global Academy while in JC.

She then relocated to Melbourne, Australia, in February 2024 when Monash University offered her a place in its three-year Bachelor of Music (composition and music technology) programme.

After a year at Monash, the opportunity to be part of a K-pop girl group was too good to pass up. She decided to discontinue her studies and signed a five-year contract with Na Entertainment for a shot at being an idol.

But the driven young singer has no plans to give up her music education. She is currently pursuing an online bachelor’s degree in songwriting and music production from Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, US, and still has about three more years to go. 

Finding the time to juggle schoolwork with daily K-pop training from noon to 9pm and performances has been challenging, but she is in it for the long haul.

Homesickness is another battle, says the only child. She is very close to her 54-year-old mother, who works as a finance professional in the healthcare industry. 

“I miss Singapore’s food and warm weather. I fall sick easily when it gets cold,” Nicole says. “Thankfully, my mum visits often, and we always talk over the phone.”

Having spent a year away from home when she was at Monash also helped prepare her for her current living arrangements. Nicole has started cooking local food, like her favourite chicken rice, for her fellow members. 

Group dynamics

NWH:I have performed on popular South Korean TV music programmes, such as Show Champion and Show! Music Core, and at live events like the 2025 Gimpo Marine Corps Cultural Festival and at various South Korean high schools. 

Nicole describes NWH:I’s music style as “Y2K”, a playful and youthful aesthetic that blends late 1990s and early 2000s nostalgia, while DNA’s concept leans towards stronger, energetic and more mature choreography. 

She is aware that NWH:I invite comparisons with Katseye, the popular multinational girl group formed through the 2023 reality competition series Dream Academy, a collaboration between South Korean entertainment giant Hybe and US music label Geffen Records.

But Nicole stresses that her group are rooted more firmly in South Korea, focusing more on K-pop and South Korean songs, whereas Katseye leans towards an English-language, global-pop direction.

Nina is their leader, and while the seven members inevitably have disagreements, they pride themselves on talking things through and resolving issues quickly. 

Staying together in a three-bedroom dorm in Incheon – Nicole’s roommate is Alice – means they see one another at their most tired and most excited.

Nicole admits she feels “very nervous” before performances, but also enjoys the thrill of a live audience as “fan energy is intoxicating”. NWH:I’s fandom name is NEW:S, chosen to reflect the idea of fans being the ones who bring and highlight the group’s best moments.

Nicole, who is back in town for a short break, is excited to return to work later in January when NWH:I will be releasing a new single.

Recognising the extremely competitive industry she is in, where new K-pop groups are launched every few months – such as JYP Entertainment’s boy band KickFlip, SM Entertainment’s girl group Hearts2Hearts, BigHit’s boy band Cortis and Black Label’s co-ed group AllDay Project – Nicole remains optimistic.

The plan for 2026 and beyond is simple but ambitious: more releases, more performances and, eventually, world tour stops that take NWH:I beyond the studios and music shows where they first cut their teeth.

Fully aware that she is considered “old” in the K-pop industry, Nicole – who can also play the piano – is branching out into writing songs for NWH:I.

She is inspired by Korean-American singer-songwriter Ejae, who spent a decade as an SM Entertainment trainee.

Though Ejae never debuted as an idol, she remained on the scene and found her place in songwriting. The 34-year-old is now celebrated for writing several hit songs for the animated Netflix film KPop Demon Hunters (2025), including the chart-topping breakout track Golden.

Nicole’s biggest dream, however, is to have a homecoming show. 

She says: “I really want to perform in Singapore. Taking the stage at home with my members will be especially meaningful.”