The reality show will star Psy, Ateez, Itzy, Megan Thee Stallion, Spice Girls, Kylie Minogue, and more
Psy (back) and Megan Thee Stallion (front) for ‘KPopped.’ Photo: courtesy of Apple TV+.
KPopped, Apple TV Plus’s upcoming reality show, is a unique experimental musical showdown. With K-pop icon PSY and Grammy-winning American rapper and singer-songwriter Megan Thee Stallion at the forefront, alongside heavyweight executive producers including Lionel Richie, Miky Lee, and Megan on board, this eight-part series stars A-list K-pop acts and Western superstars for a variety of collaborations. Think of a melting pot of cultures, styles, and sounds where the East meets the West. Here’s the lowdown on what to expect:
A Star-Studded Lineup Takes Center Stage
KPopped boasts an impressive lineup of artists, starring K-pop groups Billlie, Itzy, Kep1er, JO1, Ateez, StayC, Kiss of Life, and Blackswan, and Western artists like Megan Thee Stallion, Patti LaBelle, Spice Girls’ Mel B and Emma Bunton, Vanilla Ice, Kesha, J Balvin, Kylie Minogue, TLC, Boy George, Jess Glynne, Ava Max, and Boyz II Men. Each episode features new collaborations, reimagining some of their biggest hits. From the Spice Girls’ Mel B and Emma Bunton teaming up with Itzy to perform “Wannabe” and “Say You’ll Be There” to Megan Thee Stallion and Patti LaBelle collaborating with Billlie on “Savage and “Lady Marmalade,” these new renditions promise unique stage performances “in a friendly competition for the ultimate bragging rights,” courtesy of Apple TV Plus.
More Exciting Collaborations
Other notable episodes from the show include Kep1er partnering with Vanilla Ice for a new remix of his classic hip-hop track “Ice Ice Baby,” while Ateez brings a twist to J Balvin’s Moombahton hit “Mi Gente” and Kylie Minogue’s neo-disco number “Can’t Get You Out of My Head.” The set list also features JO1’s collaboration with Kesha on the pop smash “Joyride” and Eve on the hip-hop and R&B classic “Let Me Blow Ya Mind.” There’s also StayC pairing with TLC’s ballad, “Waterfalls,” and Boy George’s (the English band Culture Club’s frontman) pop anthem “Karma Chameleon.” With each performance, the artists “trade stages and styles,” as stated in Apple TV Plus’s press statement, offering a fresh spin on the iconic tracks and creating a distinct “KPopped” sound.
The Thrill of Competition Meets Creativity
With a live audience in Seoul voting for each performance that’s staged under tight rehearsal deadlines, each episode culminates in a winner, determined by the audience, and the K-pop idols cap off the episode with a closing act. Hosted by actor and comedian Soojeong Son, the show’s format is designed to showcase the unique chemistry between the artists, their creative jam as well as unmissable backstage moments. KPopped premieres worldwide on Apple TV Plus on August 29, with all the episodes available for streaming.