Courtesy of KPOPPED and APPLETV
Apple TV+’s KPOPPED premiered on August 29, 2025, as a celebration of crosscultural music, bringing together K-pop groups, Western music icons, and fresh collaborations. Led by PSY and Megan Thee Stallion, with Lionel Richie and Miky Lee among its executive producers, the series was created as an exchange of artistry and culture.
As a fan and K-pop commentator for over a decade, I won’t break down every aspect of each episode so as not to present bias. There are already plenty of mixed reviews from both active consumers of K-content and casual viewers. My hope is that what’s shared here encourages you to watch KPOPPED sooner rather than later.
Courtesy of KPOPPED and APPLETV
If nothing else, fans, we’ve been deprived of exciting collaboration stages in the scene for a few generations now—this is worth experiencing.
The Lineup: Music Legends Meet Established K-Stars
At first glance, the cast list felt overwhelming. How would these acts work together? There are language differences, of course, but also generational ones! Nonetheless, K-pop stars from ITZY, ATEEZ, Kep1er, JO1, Billlie, STAYC, Kiss of Life, and BLACKSWAN shared the stage with proven legends like Patti LaBelle, Spice Girls’ Mel B and Emma Bunton, Vanilla Ice, Taylor Dayne, Kesha, J Balvin, Kylie Minogue, TLC, Boy George, Ava Max, and Boyz II Men. Each pairing created opportunities for both discovery and nostalgia—for the artists as well as the audience.
Courtesy of KPOPPED and APPLETV
Each episode focused on the reveal of how a Western artist’s hit could be reimagined through the lens of K-pop: first the song selection, then the rehearsal process, cultural and stylistic adjustments, and finally, the live performance. Although the format occasionally felt formulaic, it followed a tried-and-true structure for music competitions and reality television. From tight rehearsal windows to stage reveals and live voting, everything was designed to maintain the integrity of music survival and battle shows. However, KPOPPED avoided becoming cliché because the participants brought enough charisma and distinction. More importantly, the pairing of younger K-pop groups with legends whose hits have influenced decades of music felt more celebratory than competitive.
Courtesy of KPOPPED and APPLETV
What I most appreciated was how the show allowed K-pop acts to bring their own identities into the reinterpretations. They retained what fans love about their styles while adjusting to new soundscapes and movement setups.
Something Worth Continued Development
KPOPPED intrigued me because it brought artists from different spaces within pop music together—but I underestimated the vulnerability involved. This was uncharted territory for most of the entertainers: sharing their songs with another artist, not as a tribute, but as a collaboration. Patti LaBelle, living icon that she is, has often watched others perform her music in her honor. To share the space with South Korea’s pop scene? That’s something worth continued development, indeed.
Courtesy of KPOPPED and APPLETV
Through interviews, KCrush learned that there was limited preparation time to bring concepts together and reinvent aspects of already-proven hits. While viewers saw staging, choreography, and light sticks, we also witnessed moments of nervousness, teamwork, and adaptation. The live Seoul audience amplified the tension, sitting close enough to the entertainers to make every reaction matter. During J Balvin and ATEEZ’s performance of “Mi Gente,” I stopped singing along in excitement with a shocked gasp when I realized how out of the norm this all truly was. ATEEZ handled the Spanish impressively, too. The camera caught a fan or two looking enthusiastic, but I would’ve been jumping and shouting!
Courtesy of KPOPPED and APPLETV
More Celebration Than Showdown
Though KPOPPED used familiar competition formats, the teams and overall vibe felt celebratory rather than combative. The artists motivated and encouraged one another as much as they challenged themselves, and that distinction convinced me that those working behind the scenes understood the importance of steering KPOPPED away from the uglier side of fan culture. Whether intentional or not, it made the show feel less like factions of fans would undercut the positivity of the experience.
Courtesy of KPOPPED and APPLETV
Every act had a unique lane. ITZY delivered with charisma and precision. ATEEZ stretched into styles outside their norm. BLACKSWAN (check out our interview) and Kiss of Life showcased new colors. And STAYC, who also sat down with us for a separate interview, balanced fan-loved strengths with surprising new moves.
Courtesy of KPOPPED and APPLETV
Why It Resonates
Ultimately, KPOPPED is as much about connection as it is about performance. It isn’t just for die-hard K-pop fans. It invites music lovers, casual listeners, and anyone curious about how iconic hits can be reworked into something new. It delivers on spectacle, yes—but more importantly, it delivers on heart.
Courtesy of KPOPPED and APPLETV
If you’re tuning in, leave a comment and let KCrush know your thoughts.
Ashley Borjon, Host & Historian
Ashley is a content creator, educator, and public speaker. As an authority on the Hallyu phenomenon, she has collaborated on projects and events with various domestic and international companies and brands as a music historian. As the host of An Album a Day, she leads an English-language podcast promoting commentary on South Korean pop music. Learn more about her at https://www.a3daypodcast.com
#KPOPPED #Asianentertainment #kcrush #Psy #MeganTheStallion #ITZY #STAYC #ATEEZ #kpop #kidol #BlackSwan #Billlie #BoyGeoerge #VanillaIce #Boyz11Men #PattieLaBelle #pop #TLC #SeoulKorea #Hallyu #collaborations #Eve #EveandATEEZ #Emma #MelB #SpiceGirls #TaylorDayne #Kep1er #JO1 #Kesha #Jbalvin #KylieMinogue #AvaMax #JessGlynne #KissofLife #kcrushamerica #kcrushmagazine #kcrushmedia #kcrushpress
User Review
( votes)Related Articles
G-Dragon 2025 World Tour: The “Superman” Has Returned to the United States
G-Dragon performs onstage at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Navada Courtesy of GALAXY CORPORATION Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of KCrush. On... Read More
KPOP CLUB NIGHT UPCOMING DATES
Ready to lose your voice again? Thought so! Grab your tickets and block off the dates, we’re coming back to bring you together again! KPOP CLUB NIGHT UPCOMING DATES SEPT—-> DEC 2025 Sept 5 – Los Angeles (18+) – DJ... Read More
Sipping Through Seoul (Again!): 2025 Seoul Wine & Spirits Expo
The Seoul International Wines & Spirits Expo (SIWSE) returned to COEX Exhibition Center June 26-28, 2025 and Kcrush was able to gather amongst professionals and enthusiasts and enjoy an easier-to-navigate experience once again. The annual event... Read More
Beyond K-Pop – Korea’s Growing Partnership with Africa
Beyond K-Pop and KDramas, Korea is shaping global development by building strong ties with Africa. Over the years, Korea has worked alongside several African countries to offer a lending hand is various sectors including health. Below are some of... Read More
5 Kdramas to Watch this August 2025
Looking for the perfect k-dramas to binge on this August? Whether you are craving heart-fluttering moments, rime-travel, riveting fantasy, or a unique twist of royalty, these 5 k-dramas will keep you hooked. 1. My Lovely Journey Launching in... Read More
2025 Plus-Size Korean Fashion Trends
The rise of plus-size fashion in Korea isn’t just a fashion moment—it’s a cultural shift. While there’s still progress to be made in representation, 2025 shows potential for significant visibility to curvier bodies in a society long... Read More
The Rose ‘Once Upon a WRLD’ Tour Toronto, 2025 Performance by Carolyn Hinds
The lights go down. The auditorium hushes with a palpable low hum of anticipation. As the sound of “숨 Breath”—the opening instrumental track on WRLD, the latest album from South Korean indie rock band The Rose begins to play— plays through... Read More
‘Doctor X’ – Japan’s Longest-Running Medical Drama
‘Doctor X’ – Japan’s Longest-Running Medical Drama In the world of Japanese dramas, few series have carved a legacy as bold and enduring as ‘Doctor‑X’. Since its debut in 2012, this medical drama has captivated viewers with its... Read More
K-Pop Demon Hunters: Netflix’s Animated K-Fantasy Storming Global Charts
Netflix’s K-Pop Demon Hunters, released June 20, 2025, is topping streaming charts and music playlists worldwide. Mashing K-pop spectacle with supernatural fantasy, this animated phenomenon claims the #1 spot in over 40 countries and has fans... Read More
Leave a Reply