Is Carmen Malaysian? The Truth Behind SM’s New Star
Netizens are going wild over Nyoman Ayu Carmenita, or just Carmen, a fresh trainee from SM Entertainment who’s about to debut with Hearts2Hearts. But the big question? Is she Malaysian?
Well, the short answer is half yes, half no. Carmen was born in Nusantara, formerly part of the Malay world, on 28 March 2006.
She has Balinese and Malaysian roots, making her an interesting blend of cultures.
Carmen first caught attention when SM Entertainment teased their new girl group at the SMTOWN Live 30th Anniversary concert in Seoul.
Among the eight members, Carmen’s visuals and skills stood out, making her a hot topic on TheQoo and other Korean forums.
She’s been a trainee at SM since 2022, which means she’s debuting after just two years of training—a pretty short time in K-Pop standards.
And with her skills in singing, swimming, and playing the piano, fans believe she’ll be a vocalist or rapper in Hearts2Hearts.
Malaysia? Netizens Weigh In
With her Balinese-Malaysian heritage, both Balinese and Malaysian fans are hyped for her debut.
In Malaysia, fans claim her as one of their own, while Indonesians celebrate her as a Balinese talent making it big.
Adding to the buzz, Carmen is fluent in four languages: Malay, Balinese, Korean, and English.
This makes her a rare gem in K-Pop, as multilingual idols often gain massive international appeal.
Her family background? She comes from a wealthy artistic family in Bali, which explains her natural stage presence. It seems talent runs in her blood!
No Social Media, No Problem
Unlike many rising idols, Carmen has no social media presence—but that’s normal for SM trainees.
The agency is known for strictly banning their rookies from using social platforms before debut.
Despite this, her name has already trended multiple times, with netizens comparing her visuals to Ryujin (ITZY), Jihyo (TWICE), and even Yoona (Girls’ Generation).
With Hearts2Hearts set to debut in February 2025, the wait is almost over. Will Carmen be the next big thing in K-Pop? Let’s see how she shines!