The K-pop phenomenon is no longer exclusive to those born and raised in Korea, as many artists from North America and beyond have been attracted to the industry on the other side of the world.

A few such examples were recently highlighted by NBC News and NPR, including popular names such as Ailee, Teddy Park and Jae Chong, all of whom spent their childhood or formative years in the US.

"There's something about kids that grew up in the States," said Chong. "They have a certain kind of swagger and certain kind of things that you can't just learn."

According to Chong, one catalyst for Asian artists in America moving to Korea is the discrimination often found in American entertainment industry.

"Aside from all the discrimination they get in the US entertainment industry," continued Chong. "They feel like, okay, maybe I'll have a better chance out here, where I'm actually accepted a little more."

Reportedly, it is one reason Amy Lee (stage name Ailee) moved to Korea in 2010 after growing up in New Jersey.

"I always enjoyed K-pop," said Ailee during an interview with allkpop. "Coming out [to Korea] was a great opportunity for me to learn more about K-pop."

The same sentiment has been expressed by other Korean-American K-pop idols, such as singer Eric Nam, who moved to Korea after living in Atlanta for 23 years.

"To put it simply, it was a lot easier for me to break into the Korean music industry than the American industry," said Nam to Eat Your Kimchi.

"Asian-Americans are misrepresented and underrepresented in western media. I think it's starting to change, but it was just a lot easier because people accepted me who looked like me."

Meanwhile, more and more crossover is starting to occur between K-pop and American artists, including 2NE1's rapper Lee "CL" Chaerin, who has worked with Teddy Park since her debut under record label YG Entertainment.