SANTOS BRAVOS: The New Face of Global K-POP

In recent years, the K-POP industry has been evolving beyond nationality and language.
K-POP is no longer defined only by Korean members or Korean lyrics, but by a unique production system, performance culture, and artist training style.

One of the most interesting examples of this new era is SANTOS BRAVOS.

SANTOS BRAVOS is a five-member Latin pop boy group created by HYBE LATIN AMERICA, with all members coming from Latin American or North American backgrounds.
The group combines K-POP-style training and performance precision with the freedom, rhythm, and emotional energy of Latin music.

The members are:

• DREW (USA) – Leader / Dancer
• ALEJANDRO (Peru) – Vocal
• GAVI (USA / Puerto Rico) – Dancer
• KAUÊ (Brazil) – Vocal / Dancer
• KENNETH (Mexico) – Vocal

The group officially debuted on October 21, 2025 with the digital single “0%”.

The Meaning Behind the Name

The name SANTOS BRAVOS reflects the group’s dual identity and concept.

“SANTO” represents their bright, youthful, and playful side, while “BRAVO” symbolizes a darker, more charismatic energy.
Rather than choosing one image, the group embraces both at the same time through their music, visuals, and performances.

Their official abbreviation is STBV, a nickname commonly used by fans online.

Latin Music Meets K-POP Performance

What makes SANTOS BRAVOS stand out is the way they blend Latin genres with K-POP performance culture.

Their music includes reggaeton, Brazilian funk, Latin pop, and club-inspired sounds, while their choreography and stage production reflect the polished style associated with K-POP.

On stage, they bring a very different energy compared to traditional K-POP groups.
Their performances feel more free and spontaneous, yet still highly synchronized and carefully structured.

That contrast has become one of the group’s biggest strengths.

Representative Songs

“0%”

Their debut single introduced the group’s signature style: Latin pop mixed with K-POP-inspired performance.
The catchy chorus and strong choreography quickly attracted global attention, and many fans still consider it the perfect introduction to the group.

“VELOCIDADE”

A high-energy track heavily influenced by Brazilian funk and club music.
The Portuguese lyrics and fast-paced beat made the song especially popular among Brazilian fans.

The song also gained attention after the group performed it on Korean music shows, where many viewers described it as “even better live.”

“MHM”

One of the group’s most emotional and fan-favorite tracks.

“MHM” combines soft synth sounds with warm vocals, telling the story of someone struggling to forget a past love.
Lyrics referencing social media and everyday emotions helped the song connect strongly with younger listeners.

The line “Di que no me extrañas, mhm” became especially popular on TikTok and short-form platforms, inspiring covers, edits, and dance challenges worldwide.

Many fans also praise the song for showcasing the group’s emotional vocal color and softer side.

 

Esos ojitos caramelo
Those caramel-colored little eyes
그 달콤한 캐러멜빛 눈동자

Con ese pelo combinan fenomenal
They match perfectly with that hair
그 머리색과 정말 완벽하게 어울려

Vi una estrella y pido un deseo
I saw a star and made a wish
난 별을 보고 소원을 빌었어

Lo que yo quiero es que me vuelvas a mirar
What I want is for you to look at me again
내가 원하는 건 네가 다시 나를 바라봐 주는 거야

Uuuu, tan linda
Uuuu, so beautiful
우우우, 정말 아름다워

Tan fría, tan tú
So cold, so you
차갑지만, 그게 또 너다워

Uuuu, mi favorita eres tú
Uuuu, you are my favorite
우우우, 내 가장 소중한 사람은 너야

No sé olvidarte, baby, sorry
I can’t forget you, baby, sorry
널 잊을 수 없어, 미안해 베이비

Olvidarte, baby, sorry
Forget you, baby, sorry
널 잊는다는 건, 미안하지만 안 돼

Vivo pendiente a tus stories
I keep checking your stories
난 계속 네 스토리만 보고 있어

Aquí no consigo borrarte ni un poco
I can’t erase you even a little
난 아직도 너를 조금도 지우지 못해

Y tú, tú tampoco a mí
And you can’t erase me either
그리고 너도 날 잊지 못하잖아

Mhm

Di que no me extrañas, mhm
Say you don’t miss me, mhm
내가 보고 싶지 않다고 말해봐

Di que no piensas en mí, mhm
Say you don’t think about me
내 생각 안 난다고 말해봐

Mejor que me engañas, mhm
Better if you lie to me
차라리 거짓말이라도 해줘

Pero no sabes mentir
But you don’t know how to lie
하지만 넌 거짓말을 못하잖아

Al menos no a mí
At least not to me
적어도 나한테는 말이야

Escucho tu canción
I listen to your song
난 네 노래를 듣고 있어

Solo en el mismo cuarto
Alone in the same room
혼자 이 방 안에서

No hay nada peor
There is nothing worse
이보다 더 힘든 건 없어

Que extrañarte tanto
Than missing you this much
이렇게 널 그리워하는 것보다

Es que no hay botón de like
There’s no like button
좋아요 버튼이 없다는 게 아쉬워

Pa’ todo lo que me gusta
For everything I like
내가 좋아하는 모든 것에

Sabes que me gusta
You know I like it
넌 내가 널 좋아하는 걸 알잖아

Tú no sabes cuánto
But you don’t know how much
하지만 얼마나 많이인지는 모르지

Uuuu, tan linda
Uuuu, so beautiful
우우우, 정말 아름다워

Tan fría, tan tú
So cold, so you
차갑지만 그게 너다워

Uuuu, mi favorita eres tú
Uuuu, you are my favorite
우우우, 내 가장 좋아하는 사람은 너야

No sé olvidarte, baby, sorry
I can’t forget you, baby, sorry
널 잊을 수 없어, 미안해 베이비

Olvidarte, baby, sorry
Forget you, baby, sorry
널 잊는 건 정말 어렵네

Vivo pendiente a tus stories
I keep watching your stories
난 계속 네 스토리만 보고 있어

Aquí no consigo borrarte ni un poco
I can’t erase you even a little
아직도 너를 전혀 잊지 못했어

Y tú, tú tampoco a mí
And you can’t erase me either
너 역시 날 잊지 못하잖아

Di que no me extrañas, mhm
Say you don’t miss me
내가 그립지 않다고 말해봐

Di que no piensas en mí, mhm
Say you don’t think about me
내 생각 안 난다고 말해봐

Mejor que me engañas, mhm
Better if you lie to me
차라리 날 속여줘

Pero no sabes mentir
But you don’t know how to lie
하지만 넌 거짓말을 못해

Al menos no a mí
At least not to me
적어도 나에게만큼은

Expanding Into Korea and Beyond

Recently, SANTOS BRAVOS began appearing on Korean music shows, drawing attention for performing songs in Portuguese while promoting within the Korean entertainment industry.

The members explained in interviews that they do not want to be limited to only Spanish-language music or one specific genre.
Instead, they hope to become a truly global group that connects with audiences everywhere.

Their appearance on Korean broadcasts is significant because it represents a new direction for K-POP itself:
global artists trained through the K-POP system returning to Korea as part of the industry.

The group has also been rapidly growing internationally.
They appeared at Paris Fashion Week, performed as guests at a Shakira concert in Mexico, and participated in major Latin music festivals.

Their social media growth has also been impressive, especially across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube Shorts, and Weverse.

K-POP Beyond Nationality

Perhaps the most fascinating thing about SANTOS BRAVOS is what they represent.

They show that K-POP today is less about nationality and more about a shared system of music production, artist development, performance, and fandom culture.

You do not necessarily need Korean members or Korean lyrics to create something that global audiences recognize as part of the K-POP world.

As the industry continues to evolve, groups like SANTOS BRAVOS may become increasingly common across Latin America, the United States, Europe, and beyond.

And SANTOS BRAVOS might just be one of the first groups leading that change.

 

K-POP의 새로운 실험, 라틴 보이그룹 ‘산토스 브라보스(SANTOS BRAVOS)’를 주목해야 하는 이유