Netflix Doc Highlights Making of First-Ever 'Global Girl Group' Using the K-Pop System: WATCH (Exclusive)
'Popstar Academy: Katseye' follows the group's six international trainees as they face the demanding world of K-Pop artist development under BTS' record label, HYBE
Popstar Academy: Katseye pulls back the curtain on one of the most fascinating phenomenons in the music industry.
The documentary series, coming to Netflix Aug. 21, will follow the year-long process of creating the new "global girl group" Katseye using the notoriously intense training methods and ideologies K-pop's top record companies employ to turn out superstars.
"You're already good, I need you to be better," the group's choreographer can be heard sternly telling them in the teaser trailer above, debuting exclusively with PEOPLE.
"The girls know they can be eliminated at any moment for any reason," adds Missy Senior T&D Program Manager for HYBE.
The show documents the the creation of Katseye and the personal journeys of its six members who hail from all over the globe and represent a variety of cultures. They are Daniela, 21, from Atlanta; Lara, 18, from Los Angeles; Manon, 22, from Zurich; Megan, 18, from Honolulu; Sophia, 21, from Manila, Philippines; and Yoonchae, 16, from Seoul, South Korea.
Related: Meet PEOPLE's Talented 2024 Spring Emerging Artists!
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Viewers will follow along from the girls' time on the singing competition series Debut: Dream Academy, on which 20 contestants (chosen from more than 120,000 applicants) vied for a spot in the group under Geffen Records and HYBE — the K-pop powerhouse behind groups like BTS and Tomorrow x Together.
The winning six have since released their debut single, aptly titled "Debut," as well as a second song, "Touch." Their first EP, SIS (Soft Is Strong), is due on Aug. 16.
According to Netflix, Popstar Academy promises "unprecedented access" to Katseye's "journey to global stardom," which may look different to what audiences are used to seeing on American shows in the same genre.
Courtesy of Netflix
Rather than simply being discovered and signed, aspiring K-pop idols are often recruited by companies to become "trainees" and famously spend months or years perfecting their dance and vocals skills in competitive conditions with the hopes of debuting in a group.
While plenty of groups have members who hail from outside Korea, the creation of Katseye is a first-of-its-kind attempt at a new way to capture the attention of K-pop's ever-expanding international audience.
Katseye was named one of PEOPLE's Emerging Artists in May 2024, and spoke about their journey and their musical ambitions.
Related: Ryan Reynolds Shows He's a Super K-Pop Fan During Deadpool & Wolverine Press Tour with Hugh Jackman
Courtesy of Netflix
“If you had told me as a young girl — raised in a small town in Switzerland by her single mother — that I’d be a signed member of an international girl group living in L.A., I would’ve never believed you,” Manon shared. “That’s why I'll always advocate for dreaming big, no matter where in the world you are or how far away your dreams may seem.”
Daniela teased at the time that “months of dedication and tireless efforts have been poured into refining every detail" of their debut. She adds that the experience "has given us a great sense of fulfillment as we watch our dreams, and the vision for the concept of this group, become a reality."
Popstar Academy: Katseye will be available to stream Aug. 21 on Netflix.
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Read the original article on People.
