Apple TV+ is diving deeper into the K-pop craze with Megan Thee Stallion and Psy!
The streaming platform has just greenlit a new competition series in the vibrant world of the genre, featuring “Gangnam Style” hitmaker Psy, Grammy-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion, as well as musical legend Lionel Richie (with the latter two also taking on roles as executive producers for the program.)
Titled Kpopped, the upcoming series is an exciting eight-part program that brings Western megastars together with renowned K-pop idols, reimagining some of their biggest hits for live performances. However, the show also includes a major twist –– a Iive Seoul-based audience will be present to determine who delivers the ultimate track, and crowns the best new ‘K-popped’ song.
Kpoppped is being produced by CJ ENM, the South Korean entertainment powerhouse behind dramas such as Queen of Tears and Hometown Cha-Cha, reality programs like Jinny’s Kitchen and I Can See Your Voice, as well as critically acclaimed films such as Past Lives, Decision To Leave, and the Oscar-winning Parasite. Also producing is Eureka Productions, the Fremantle-backed company known for shows like Netflix’s The Mole and Fox’s The Floor.
This new series marks Apple’s second big step into unscripted competition content, following the 2023 launch of My Kind of Country, a country music series created by actress Reese Witherspoon and country musician Kacey Musgraves, and hosted by Mickey Guyton, Jimmie Allen, and Orville Peck. The network also dipped into the K-pop scene last year with the docuseries K-Pop Idols, which followed K-pop stars such as Jessi, Cravity, and Blackswan across six episodes.
Just recently, Thee Stallion collaborated with South Korea’s very own nation’s girl group TWICE for the title track to their latest mini-album, STRATEGY. The famed Houston-based rapper also reissued her self-titled album with MEGAN: ACT II, which featured a “Mamushi” remix with TWICE, alongside a collaboration track with BTS‘ RM on “Neva Play.” Also last year, Psy’s “Gangnam Style” was pressed on the vinyl format for the first time for Republic Records’ Singles Day, made available as a limited edition collectible item.
Kpopped currently has no announced release date, but make sure to stay tuned to this space for any updates regarding the upcoming series here.
As we anticipate Megan Thee Stallion and Psy’s appearance in Kpopped, listen to the Houston rapper’s newly released record MEGAN: ACT II below: