(want images of the K-pop Idols and Popstars? keep scrolling)
Alright, here’s the tea on Apple TV+’s new series KPOPPED. PSY and Megan Thee Stallion are running point—yeah, the King of Gangnam and Thee Hot Girl Wangbi-mama (queen)—on a show that’s basically a global pop experiment. K-pop idols are split into two squadrons, so you get sub-units from ITZY, Ateez, KEP1ER, Billlie, STAYC, Kiss of Life, JO1, and BLACKSWAN battling each other and iconic popstars: Patti LaBelle, the Spice Girls’ Mel B and Emma Bunton, Vanilla Ice, Taylor Dayne, Kesha, Eve, J Balvin, Kylie Minogue, TLC, Boy George, Jess Glynne, Ava Max, and Boyz II Men. And while each episode is all love, it’s not just about the song battles. There’s a lot of friendly fire, with the sub-units trying to outdo each other and the international pop stars. So the competition is on two fronts, before KPOPPED brings everyone back together for an encore group performance.
But KPOPPED goes deeper than just stage battles. Every episode, each K-pop sub-unit takes their Popstar partner out for a “friend-date.” For example, a Billlie sub-unit takes Meg to a ramen bar, and Thee Stallion learns to breathe fire after a spicy bowl. Or Jess Glynne leveling up for a noraebang session with her girls from KISS OF LIFE. That’s where the culture exchange happens, and although it gets awkward—A LOT—these unexpected pairings are sweet too. Then it’s back to the grind: where the rehearsal room is a lesson in the “art of being polite,” but the facial expressions say it all. If you think K-pop reality shows are all smiles and heart fingers, you’re about to hear some trash talk with a wink. Soojeong Son, the popp’d host, keeps the momentum, and the sub-group rivalries add a sprinkle of salty-sweetness.
Taking the win? A live audience in Seoul votes for their favorite performance by waving their lightsticks, and sometimes you’ll wonder if everyone saw the same show. My favorite episodes and performances are Megan versus Patti with BILLIE. Of course, the ATEEZ episode, but also because Kylie Minogue is the loveliest (go team KTeez) and J Balvin is undefeated. I also watched Eve with JO1 more than once, and Boyz II Men with BLACKSWAN goes places you’re not expecting. KPOPPED is all about the creative collaboration of mashing up these worlds.
With executive producers Moira Ross, Lionel Richie, Miky Lee, Megan Thee Stallion and Greg Foster, alongside Harry H.K. Shin and Jake Hong, AND producer Ki-woong Kim for CJ ENM Co. calling the shots. AND music variety show and content production expertise from Chris Culvenor, Paul Franklin, Wes Dening and David Tibballs executive produce for Eureka Productions (a Fremantle company), alongside Bruce Eskowitz—a lot is goes on behind the scenes.
The timing for this show is immaculate, KPop Demon Hunters is one of the two biggest movies in the world (along with Ne Zha 2), and Meg is an anime fan who brings a huge fandom along with her. My verdict? KPOPPED is frequently awkward and slightly rushed, but the aegyo (cuteness) and genuine love for the music hit the right frequencies. If you’re into K-pop, pop hits, culture, or want to see Boyz II Men tap into their inner Huntr/x and show BLACKSWAN how to find their deepest harmonies, this is what it sounds like.
KPOPPED drops on AppleTV+ with all episodes on August 29
Rating: C+
Level of Enthusiasm: 80%
All 8 Episodes of KPOPPED stream Aug 29
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KPOPPED Song Battles
Here are the episode breakdowns so you’re ready for the takedown:
Episode 1. Megan Thee Stallion v. Patti LaBelle with Billlie
The H-Town Hottie, the Godmother of Soul, and Billlie bring the heat as “Savage” takes on “Lady Marmalade.”
Episode 2. Spice Girls (Emma & Mel B) with ITZY
A mini Spice Girls reunion combined with an ITZY collab lead to a showstopping showdown between “Wannabe” and “Say You’ll Be There.”
Episode 3. Vanilla Ice v. Taylor Dayne with Kep1er
The ‘90s rapper and the powerhouse belter join forces with Kep1er for a fierce face-off between “Ice Ice Baby” and “Tell It to My Heart.”
Episode 4. Eve v. Kesha with JO1
K-pop meets J-pop as the 11-member Japanese boy band JO1 hits the stage for Eve’s “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” versus Kesha’s “JOYRIDE.”
Episode 5. Kylie Minogue v. J Balvin with ATEEZ
It’s a global megahit mashup when ATEEZ performs the Aussie’s “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” and the Colombiano’s “Mi Gente.”
Episode 6. Boy George v. TLC with STAYC
STAYC wows the crowd in an electrifying battle between Culture Club’s “Karma Chameleon” and TLC’s “Waterfalls.”
Episode 7. Ava Max v. Jess Glynne with KISS OF LIFE
The U.S. and U.K. pop divas came to slay as KISS OF LIFE serves a double dose of high-energy vibes with “Kings & Queens” and “Hold My Hand.”
Episode 8. Boyz II Men with BLACKSWAN
The best-selling R&B group of all time teams up with BLACKSWAN to pit “Motownphilly” against “End of the Road.”
