What does it take to turn your K-Pop dreams into reality? A new eight-part documentary podcast, “Mission K-Pop,” aims to answer that question through the lens of one woman’s extraordinary journey from Los Angeles to Seoul to become a K-Pop idol. Produced by USG Audio, Novel, and PRX, and hosted by acclaimed journalist Haeryun Kang, the series debuts October 13, with new episodes dropping every Monday.
Trailer: Mission K-Pop Trailer – Mission K-Pop – Apple Podcasts
At the center of “Mission K-Pop” is Caty Szeto, a 23-year-old woman who leaves behind her life in Los Angeles to attend a K-Pop academy in Seoul. As a teen, she was inspired by K-Pop, yet struggled to see Asian-American representation in the larger entertainment industry. In Seoul, she undergoes training in singing, dancing, and styling, leading to her make-or-break auditions with K-Pop entertainment agencies. If chosen, Caty could join the ranks of idols who perform on global stages and inspire fans around the world. But in the process, she also comes face-to-face with the realities of the industry.
“Mission K-Pop” is hosted by Haeryun Kang, a journalist and first-gen K-Pop fan who has previously authored a Rolling Stone cover story on Blackpink. Through the podcast, she follows Caty throughout her journey:
“I’ve covered K-Pop for many years. It was astounding to see how far the K-Pop dream had spread all over the world, to someone like Caty… As a first-gen K-Pop fan myself, I saw glimpses of my own childhood in Caty’s love of K-Pop. I hope audiences can also connect to that daring joy of falling in love with a dream.”
– Haeryun Kang, journalist and host of “Mission K-Pop”
“Mission K-Pop” is both a celebration of K-Pop’s vibrant music and culture and a deeply personal story about identity and ambition. It also showcases the real challenges within the ever-growing global industry. The series is a collaboration between Pulitzer and Peabody Award-winning organizations USG Audio and PRX, along with the internationally acclaimed audio creative studio, Novel.
“’Mission K-Pop’ captures the ambition, artistry, and challenges at the heart of one of the world’s most powerful cultural movements,” says USG Audio’s Josh Bloch. “We’re proud to partner with Novel and PRX to highlight the resilience and ingenuity of aspiring K-idols for listeners everywhere.”
“The team at Novel were thrilled to team up with USG Audio and PRS on this special series,” said Max O’Brien, co-founder and Chief Content Officer at Novel. “This is a beautifully produced series about the hopes and dreams of one singer whose story lets us tap into the extraordinary K-Pop universe. It was a challenge and a pleasure to get to produce a rich and deeply emotive narrative podcast that doesn’t rely on the familiar turf of true crime to deliver high drama and tension. I’m so thankful to Caty and the whole team at the K-Pop Art School for letting us into their world.”
“We’re proud to partner with storytelling masters at USG Audio and the global studio Novel,” said Stephanie Kuo, Vice President of Content at PRX. “K-Pop is a significant, expanding part of our culture, and we’re thrilled to now bring listeners on a personal journey through its world with nuance, surprise, and powerful storytelling. This is also a universal tale of ambition and persistence — and we hope it will resonate with anyone who’s ever pursued a dream.”
“Mission K-Pop” is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Overcast, and Pocket Casts.