K-pop idol Rosé of Blackpink fame grew up in Australia – but she could never have made it big here

Rosé performs with Blackpink at Coachella in 2019. The Melbourne-raised artist has become one of the world’s most popular K-pop singers – but is barely known here. Photograph: Timothy Norris/Getty Images for Coachella

In the past year, K-pop star Rosé has redefined the music genre known for its choreographed dance moves and global fan culture. Having followed Rosé since the 2016 arrival of Blackpink – one of the world’s most popular K-pop girl groups, of which she is one of four members – I am so excited about her debut full-length album, Rosie, released on Friday.

But I am also frustrated and disappointed, because in Australia (where Rosé grew up before heading to South Korea to become a K-pop idol) there has been relatively little coverage of her achievements.