Megan Thee Stallion is taking her talents to the small screen once more. This time she is teaming up with PSY, who you’ll remember from his OG viral smash “Gangnam Style”, on a new west-meets-east reality music competition that is appropriately titled KPOPPED. The show which will stream on Apple TV+ will span eight episodes, with each one featuring iconic artists from the west re-imagining one of their biggest hits into K-pop songs (with the help of some K-pop idols). The artists will perform in a battle of the songs for an audience in Seoul, with the audience picking the winners.
Where do I even begin at the level of genius this is? For one, given K-pop’s global appeal over the last the last decade, it only makes sense that a streamer or network would want to capitalize off that. Apple TV+ has been steadily acquiring and producing more K-pop content like the docuseries K-Pop Idols which premiered on the platform just last year. Adding Megan Thee Stallion into the mix is just the cherry on top, especially given her recent collaboration with RM last year and her feature on BTS’s “Butter”, so this is a career move that makes total sense.
Second, having the artists perform the song in Seoul adds that layer of reality to it – because you’re taking it to the audience that, obviously, knows its K-pop backwards and forwards – and, therefore, centering the preference of an audience that is often overlooked by the west. If I’m putting my TV producer hat on, we just call that good TV lol. I’m also just a sucker for a remix, I always have been. There’s nothing more exciting for a music fan than to re-discover a song they’ve always loved through a new lens. If the new mix slaps, well then that is even better.
The star-power doesn’t stop there as Lionel Richie will serve as executive producer alongside Moira Ross, Miky Lee and Greg Foster. Megan is also expected to do a special performance of “Savage”, and one can only hope that it will be a K-pop remix of the song, it’s only fitting. There is no official release date yet but both Megan and PSY posted these snapshots teasing the series.
We don’t know yet which artists will be on the show K-popifying their hits, so naturally I put together my very own wish list. Assuming that Megan is performing “Savage”, I omitted her, but don’t be mistaken – she is very much one of my picks. I may be reaching for the stars here, but I want to be blown away. I want to see every genre possible making its own K-pop transformation, so let’s dream a little, shall we?
MC’S KPOPPED Wish List
“Pop” by *NSYNC
Maybe the most obvious choice, but so much of the boy bands we see in K-pop reminds me of the *NSYNC boys. My only request for this choice is that we do it sans Justin. JC is the real star of this group anyway, and his vocals can give us the best K-pop remix we’ve ever seen.
“Get Ur Freak On” by Missy Elliott
Missy is the definition of creative visionary. While the original “Get Ur Freak On’” features heavy Indian elements, imagine what a hybrid EDM and hip-hop mix could do with that melody. Plus, we all know that Missy would take the production of that performance to a whole new level. Extra points if she includes Nelly Furtado who was featured on the original remix.
“Bring Me To Life” by Evanescence
Name me a more theatrical rock song than this operatic masterpiece. The energetic and polished feel of K-pop could blend perfectly with this track. Who doesn’t love a gothic queen?
“Gin & Juice” by Snoop Dogg
The rebrand of Snoop Dogg needs to be studied. The man went from being one of the most notorious gangsta rappers of the 90s to our Uncle Snoop. Clearly he can do it all, time to add K-pop singer/rapper to the resume.
“What Hurts The Most” by Rascal Flatts
This song is about as dynamic and interchangeable as it gets. Yes, we all know and love the country version but the dance version by Cascada also had its time to shine. I can’t say that I’ve ever thought Gary LeVox would explore another genre, but it’s 2025 – what is genre anyway?
“Opposites Attract” by Paula Abdul
Hear me out. Paula and MC Skat Kat go K-pop. Throw in some dancers, fabulous outfits, and really you have the average Paula Abdul show. The K-pop element gives her the opportunity to bring MC Skat Kat to life but in his own unique way. I’m not talking full-on live-action cat, or who knows maybe I am. We’re dreaming here right?
“Right Here Waiting” by Richard Marx
If the influx of ‘90s diva house mixes taught me anything it’s that a ballad can turn into a fire dance track (see: the Tony Moran remix of “My Heart Will Go On”). This song is the definition of cheese. I like cheese. There’s a certain charming level of cheesiness in every single boy band, so why shouldn’t a retired 80s adult contemporary artist get a swing at it? Richard Marx busting out into choreography would be the type of TV that actually makes Apple TV+ worth paying for, lol.
“My Humps” by Black Eyed Peas
will.i.am. has been vocal about his support of the K-pop movement, particularly 2NE1. Always experimenting with different sounds and genres, it almost seems inevitable that the Black Eyed Peas appear on this show. I’ll go so far as to say that of all the people on this list, this seems the most likely. If they can convince Fergie to come back that would be iconic, but a version of “My Humps” with Taeyeon from Girls Generation would hit too.
“Stars Are Blind” by Paris Hilton
Now that Paris has fully stepped back into her pop star era, she probably wants this more than I do - which is all the more reason why it needs to happen.
“Last Last” by Burna Boy
The song already does a great job of blending afrobeats with 2000s R&B with that unmistakable Toni Braxton sample. What would happen if instead of “He Wasn’t Man Enough” we switch it up with some Stray Kids action? Some subtle trap elements and EDM drops, along with the rhythmic melody of the song could make for one hell of a contender for top prize.
You can listen to my playlist of my KPOPPED predictions, along with some of my very own favourite K-pop songs here. I will of course update it once the actual show begins with the songs that do end up getting chosen as well, for your listening pleasure. Whether or not my predictions turn out to be right or not, it’s all part of the fun!
With Love,
MC
