Welcome back to Fan Chant, a weekly column for K-pop fans, stans, and newbies alike. This week, with the release of K-Pop Idols on Apple TV+, two of the groups featured in the docuseries reflect on the process. If you enjoy what you’re reading, feel free to subscribe to my companion newsletter to get Fan Chant delivered right to your inbox each week!
There’s never been a better time to be a K-pop fan; we’re living in a time with an abundance of tours, festival appearances, and content. The latest to jump into the market is Apple TV+, where a new docuseries titled K-Pop Idols premiered on August 30th.
The episodic program digs into three acts within the K-pop world and aims to highlight the highs and lows of working in this highly specific industry. This includes soloist JESSI, Starship Entertainment boy group CRAVITY, and DR Music’s girl group BLACKSWAN.
“We’re all very excited and very psyched to be a part of such a big project going behind the scenes of the K pop industry,” says Allen of CRAVITY, noting that filming began a few years back and captured him and his eight groupmates in what Seongmin calls “fetus versions” of the band. “Looking back at it now, I’m so glad that we made the decision,” Allen continues. “We’re so honored to be a part of it.”
For CRAVITY, K-Pop Idols offers an opportunity for new fans to fall in love with their story, and maybe even join the fanbase, known as LUVITY. “I want people to watch and think, ‘Oh, they’re really serious about this,’” Minhee says. “We want people to see that we’re passionate about CRAVITY, and we’re passionate about our fans,” confirms Taeyoung.
The documentary digs into the tough nature of the trainee system — and the pressures that continue well after debut. “When I was a trainee, I beat myself up over things every day,” Taeyoung says in one episode. “I felt like I was doing worse than the other trainees. Back then, my only goal was to give a better performance.”
“From this documentary, people will get more of what idols go through,” Sriya of BLACKSWAN tells Consequence. “It’s basically more of being a human being, too. We are just doing our own jobs…But it’s never been actually perfect.”