SINGAPORE, 14 January 2026 — Singaporean singer-dancer Nicole Bacon has taken an extraordinary leap from posting a simple audition video to officially debuting as a member of the global rookie K-pop girl group NWH:I, a journey that has captured attention in both Singapore and South Korea.
At just 22 years old, Nicole’s rise into the hyper-competitive world of K-pop began unexpectedly. After reaching out to several South Korean entertainment agencies, she submitted a one-minute hip-hop dance audition video to Na Entertainment on 31 December 2024. Within days, the company contacted her with an invitation to join its training programme, a swift turn of events that many aspiring idols spend years striving for.
The audition led to a six-week training phase that tested her skills in dance, vocals and Korean language, and by Jan 24, 2025, Nicole, who uses her first name as her professional moniker, was officially announced as a trainee for NWH:I (which stands for New World High teen Idol).
With her family’s support, Nicole relocated to Seoul in March 2025 to train full-time alongside fellow trainees from around the world. What began as a projected nine-member project ultimately crystallised into a seven-member lineup by August, featuring Nicole alongside members from the Philippines, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan and Germany.
Nicole also participates in Na Entertainment’s co-ed project group DNA, broadening her performance repertoire alongside other artists from the company’s roster. NWH:I made their official debut with the digital single “Like A Flame” on 24 October 2025, marking Nicole’s official entry into the global K-pop arena.
Her path to the K-pop stage was influenced by a lifetime of performance, from Latin ballroom dancing as a child to her later transition into pageantry. Nicole was crowned Miss Singapore Tourism Queen 2024 and represented Singapore at Miss Tourism International in Malaysia later that year, where she earned the title Dreamgirl of the Year.
Nicole sees her heritage and international background as assets in a group designed for global appeal, and she remains proudly vocal about Singapore, from recommending local hawker favourites like carrot cake and hor fun to sharing her love for national landmarks such as Marina Bay Sands and the Singapore Zoo.
Balancing rigorous K-pop training (from noon until 9 p.m. daily) with her online bachelor’s degree in music production and songwriting from a U.S. university, Nicole says the journey has been challenging but rewarding. She often cooks Singaporean dishes like chicken rice for her fellow group members when homesickness strikes.
Since debuting, NWH:I, described by Nicole as having a Y2K-influenced sound blending nostalgia with contemporary pop, has performed on South Korean music shows and at fan events. As part of a closely bonded group living together in Incheon, they navigate creative differences and shared goals with cooperation, their fandom named NEW:S to celebrate the energy fans bring to their live performances.
Aware of the fierce pace at which new K-pop acts are launched globally, Nicole remains focused on consistent releases, energetic performances and eventually touring worldwide, with a special ambition to return home for a showcase in Singapore, a milestone she says would be especially meaningful.
