K-Pop returns to America in a new Apple TV+ series. (Photo: Apple TV+)
The K-Pop invasion, which first hit U.S. shores from South Korea over a decade ago, will be returning this month in a new Apple TV+ series featuring the latest acts from Korea’s capital, Seoul.
South Korean artist PSY, who introduced America to K-Pop music with his 2012 hit “Gangnam Style,” will star on the show with Grammy winning artist Megan Thee Stallion.
But the real stars will be up-and-coming K-Pop acts, who will face each other in a “high energy” competition reinterpreting iconic hits spanning decades of American music.
Joining them, will be the Western stars who originally recorded the hits, including Patti LaBelle, the Spice Girls’ Mel B and Emma Bunton, Vanilla Ice, Taylor Dayne, and Kesha.
Eve, J Balvin, Kylie Minogue, TLC, Boy George, Jess Glynne, Ava Max, and Boyz II Men will also be featured.
Executive produced by Lionel Richie and Miky Lee, all episodes of “KPOPPED” are set to debut globally on Friday, August 29, on Apple TV+.
Soojeong Son, the actress, writer and director, will share hosting duties, for the show. It will feature a behind-the-scenes look at the artists as they create “bold, collaborative stage performances,” according to the streaming service.
The groups will be given a short window to rehearse, then perform before a live audience in Seoul. Audience members will who vote for the standout “K-popped” performance of the night.
After the song battle winner is determined, the K-pop Idols close out the episode with an exciting performance.
Featured artists include: K-pop acts: Billlie, ITZY, Kep1er, JO1, ATEEZ, STAYC, Kiss of Life, and BLACKSWAN
The legendary and rising artists trade stages and styles across eight episodes, offering a fresh spin on hit tracks including “Savage,” “Wannabe,” “Ice Ice Baby,” “Lady Marmalade,” “Can’t Get You Out of My Head,” “Motownphilly,” “Waterfalls,” and more, the company says.
Episode highlights include:
| Western Artists | K-pop Artists | Notable Tracks | Episode |
| Megan Thee Stallion, Patti LaBelle | Billlie
“Flipping a Coin |
“Savage,”
“Lady Marmalade” |
1 |
| Mel B, Emma Bunton (Spice Girls) | ITZY
“Gold” |
“Wannabe,”
“Say You’ll be There” |
2 |
| Vanilla Ice,
Taylor Dayne |
Kep1er
“Wa Da Da” |
“Ice Ice Baby,”
“Tell It To My Heart” |
3 |
| Kesha,
Eve |
JO1
“Love seeker” |
“Joyride,”
“Let Me Blow Ya Mind” |
4 |
| J Balvin,
Kylie Minogue |
ATEEZ
“Bouncy (K-Hot Chili Peppers)” |
“Mi Gente,”
“Can’t Get You Out of My Head” |
5 |
| TLC,
Boy George |
STAYC
“RUN2U” |
“Waterfalls,”
“Karma Chameleon” |
6 |
| Jess Glynne,
Ava Max |
Kiss of Life
“Get Loud” |
“Hold My Hand,”
“Kings & Queens” |
7 |
| Boyz II Men | BLACKSWAN
“Roll Up” |
“Motownphilly,”
“End of the Road” |
8 |
The series is executive produced by Moira Ross, Lionel Richie, Miky Lee, Megan Thee Stallion and Greg Foster, alongside Harry H.K. Shin and Jake Hong
Producer Ki-woong Kim for CJ ENM Co., Ltd., provide unparalleled expertise in music variety shows and content production.
Chris Culvenor, Paul Franklin, Wes Dening and David Tibballs executive produce for Eureka Productions (a Fremantle company), alongside Bruce Eskowitz.
Check out the trailer!