Singapore family band D’Fusion clear global K-pop audition with self-written Korean song

A Singaporean family band, D’Fusion, has successfully progressed to the top 200 tier of the international K-pop audition known as My Kpop Star 2026, positioning themselves among a worldwide cohort of emerging talent. The competition, hosted by South Korean media outlet Newspim, seeks to uncover fresh, unpolished K-pop artists from across the globe, offering a grand prize of 100 million won (approximately S$83,000) and the opportunity for a professional debut.

D’Fusion’s lineup consists of Mohamad Azrin Mohd Hanapiah, a 46-year-old fire safety manager and the group’s guitarist and composer performing under the name Rain, alongside his daughters Alyssya Adrianna (21) and Charissa Annalista (17). Their entry, a self-composed Korean-language piece titled Sister’s Love (Jamae-ui Sarang), earned them a spot among 100 international acts selected from over 60 countries. These international finalists will be competing alongside 100 South Korean contestants.

The family’s journey into this genre began years prior, with Azrin and his wife Juriah Bujang, who also manages the band and performs under the stage name Kayla, forming an initial group in 2008. After releasing an EP of original material in 2011 and a temporary hiatus, the band was revitalized in 2020 with the inclusion of their daughters, who contribute lead vocals and choreography. Both daughters commenced formal music and dance education during their early teens, supporting their evolving roles within D’Fusion.

In preparation for the competition, Azrin undertook the task of adapting an originally English song into Korean, using AI tools such as ChatGPT and Google Translate to refine the lyrics and maintain authenticity in phrasing and melody for Korean audiences. This meticulous process resulted in the track that garnered attention from the competition’s selection committee, which praised the group’s harmonious family dynamic and distinctive approach to the K-pop style.

Beyond Korean and English, the band’s linguistic versatility extends to performances in Mandarin and Thai, showcasing a broad cultural engagement. Their live shows are regularly hosted at local venues including Our Tampines Hub and Sentosa Sensoryscape. Recently, they released a Malay-language single titled J.M.K. (Jom Makan Kak!), expanding their original repertoire.

My Kpop Star’s audition stages relied on live audio recordings without lip-syncing, emphasizing genuine vocal performance. Public engagement through views and likes on platforms such as YouTube and TikTok will determine who advances to the semi-finals, scheduled for a live online broadcast in September. The competition’s top 10 finalists will then travel to South Korea for a final live event in November.

D’Fusion is actively encouraging support to boost their online presence and increase their chances of reaching the semi-finals. Should they advance, Azrin has prepared additional original compositions to present, indicating the band’s readiness for further competition stages.

While the prize and potential debut represent significant opportunities, the family remains focused on the broader experience of sharing their music on an international stage. Their advancement to this stage marks a noteworthy milestone for a Singapore-based family band operating within the global K-pop landscape, illustrating the cross-cultural reach and evolving nature of the genre.

Details about the total number of applicants and country-specific participation remain undisclosed by the organizers. Nonetheless, D’Fusion’s progress highlights the growing visibility of diverse voices within the K-pop audition scene and signals a promising future for artists blending familial collaboration with global musical influences.