The next big things in Asian pop

Girls' Generation

Nine-member South Korean girl group formed by SM Entertainment in 2007 who perform cute, electro-pop songs with titles like Kissing You, Gee and Oh! Hugely popular in Japan, the girls endorse Samsung and Goobne Chicken and are being primed for launch in the US and Britain.

Super Junior

Korean boyband formed in 2005 once comprised thirteen members and regularly splits into sub-groups to target different audiences. Mandatory military service has thinned their ranks but 2012 album Sexy, Free & Single, exploring ballads and R&B, brought a new global audience.

Karen Mok

Hong Kong-based actress and singer of Chinese/Welsh descent starred at Beijing 2008 Olympics ceremonies. Next project is her first English-language album. She says: “Our take on this jazz album is to also retain our Chinese identity. I play the guzheng. It’s a completely new sound.”

Ai

Bilingual American-Japanese singer Ai, 30, is poised to cross-over after bringing a US R&B-influenced sound to Japanese fans. Collaborated with Chris Brown for a new album recorded in Los Angeles. Her 2005 single Story received a triple million digital sales certification in Japan.