Netflix’s Pop Star Academy: Katseye Reveals What it Takes to Make a Global Girl Group

As a filmmaker with a background in psychology, I found myself utterly captivated by the journey of the young women in Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE. Watching their growth, their struggles, and ultimately their triumphs was an incredibly moving experience for me. It’s not often that we get such a raw and intimate glimpse into someone’s life, especially when they are as young as these girls were.

In November 2023, during the final segment of the Dream Academy competition series, broadcasted live on YouTube and Weverse, it was a nerve-wracking spectacle to behold. KATSEYE, the highly anticipated global girl group from HYBE (Korea) and Geffen Records (USA), was unveiled. The lineup included ten girls, aged between 15 and 21, who had been rigorously trained for months. However, only six would make the cut for the finalized girl group, making the scene quite tense.

KATSEYE’s Pop Star Academy, the latest Netflix series directed by Nadia Hallgren, provides an unfiltered, intricate portrayal of the journey leading up to the defining moment. Across eight episodes, we follow over 20 ambitious aspirants chosen from a pool of more than 120,000 international applicants as they rearrange their lives for an intense training and development program in Los Angeles. Despite the demanding physical conditioning that these girls and young women undergo, Pop Star Academy underscores how mental stress becomes the most formidable hurdle. The contestants are unaware if their relentless effort will secure a place within the group or result in their dismissal the following day. They embark on this program without knowing they will later participate in a grueling competition, the outcome of which depends on the votes of potential fans. Moreover, many face these trials far from their primary support systems and in an alien culture.

As a fan, I must say that “Pop Star Academy: Katseye” is more than just an introduction to this talented artist; it delves deep into the intricate workings of two leading pop music corporations on a global scale. It doesn’t flinch from showing how these corporate decisions shape the lives of the (frequently youthful) individuals who shine brightly at the heart of this industry. Here are some insights about “Pop Star Academy: Katseye” and the journey to create a worldwide girl group.

The K-pop trainee process

In the documentary titled “Light Up the Sky”, Jennie from Blackpink explained that in her view, K-pop is characterized by the rigorous trainee system where aspiring artists spend several years honing their skills under music companies, including singing, dancing, learning foreign languages, and media training.

The unique factor that makes Korean idol pop stars stand out from many U.S. and Western acts is what Hallgren emphasizes in the Pop Star Academy storyline. Hallgren expresses his motivation for creating this show, stating, “I have a keen interest in human potential and the factors contributing to high-level performances, whether it’s in sports or pop music.” He goes on to say that while male characters often embody toughness in narratives, seeing girls display such qualities is what truly inspires him daily.

This includes a focus on the instructors involved in the trainee process, something Hallgren noted they had to fight to include in the story. “The girls are the most interesting, but we needed the context as to what they were going through … I was very curious about the process of being able to take someone with a very low skill level and grow them to a place where they are an expert, especially in a really short time.”

I’d like to emphasize a key finding from my research: It’s crucial to place individuals in optimal environments according to their competence and potential for growth. This includes providing them with suitable mentors at the opportune moments when their learning needs are most significant.

Hallgren believes that this presentation could serve as an accessible introduction for those unfamiliar with the K-pop trainee system, especially fans of reality TV dance shows or talent competitions.

Behind the scenes of Pop Star Academy

Initially, Netflix presented Hallgren with an offer to direct Pop Star Academy, which she eagerly accepted. Concerned about being labeled as a documentarian who exclusively tackles grave subjects like the tale of three Puerto Rican women forced out of their homes by Hurricane Maria in After Maria, she was thrilled to explore the world of pop culture and music. “I’m not always serious,” she chuckled over Zoom, “but my work is.”

Hallgren was equally intrigued by exploring the intricate lives of girls on the brink of fame during their teenage years. As he puts it, “I’ve collaborated with numerous high-profile individuals, yet they were already seasoned figures before our collaboration, managing publicity and such matters. It was enticing for me to consider how young people navigate through life today, especially with social media.”

As I embarked on this project, I knew it wouldn’t be without its hurdles. Being stationed in New York while most of the filming took place in Los Angeles or Korea added an extra layer of complexity. To complicate matters further, I was juggling parenthood during production, making travel and scheduling even more challenging.

According to Hallgren, there was often uncertainty about which storylines or characters would end up in the final series due to the intricate and unpredictable process it followed. This included an unexpected twist – the trainees were taking part in a survival program to ultimately decide who would be part of the final lineup.

According to Hallgren, it was incredibly hard to foresee what would happen next, leaving us just as puzzled as the trainees. At times, we found ourselves asking questions like, “What’s happening now?” and “How do we quickly switch gears from one task to another?”

It proved difficult to establish trust with all the documentary subjects simultaneously, as Hallgren was accustomed to working closely with just one individual at a time. “It was an ensemble,” explains Hallgren, referring to the trainees, instructors, and executives followed throughout the series. “Typically, I delve into the intricacies of someone’s personal life that they may not even be consciously aware of. But this time, I was dealing with young women and teenage girls.” Despite being a new experience for Hallgren, who had recently become a mother herself, she embraced the challenge, finding it made easier by the integrity of the trainees. “Each young person who went through that program was exceptional,” says Hallgren. “They were compassionate. They were skilled communicators. They were complex and looked out for one another.”

The end, and a new beginning

In the concluding episode of Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE, we witness the Dream Academy announcement ceremony again, this time through Hallgren’s perspective. The girls murmur anxiously backstage, on the verge of an experience that will forever alter their lives: “We’ll be together for the rest of our days!” Sylvia, the girls’ vocal coach for almost two years, peeks out from behind a curtain, her heart pounding with apprehension. Missy, the project manager who has been with the girls since day one, steeled herself, preparing to gather the pieces wherever they may scatter.

In my perspective, capturing those poignant moments during the live show proved to be an intriguing logistical puzzle, Hallgren reminisces. “We aimed to portray it in a deeply authentic style, delving into the raw emotions that underpinned this significant moment.” I delegated cameras to vocal coaches Gabe and Sylvia, and another to dance instructor Nikky. “The backstage hustle with the girls was quite a challenge,” she admits. “It was dimly lit, so we relied heavily on sound-ups from their microphones to generate tension and excitement, as it was rather difficult to visually capture the atmosphere.”

As a passionate cinephile, I was part of the team that got to document an emotional moment after the recent announcement at KATSEYE. While Hallgren worked with the trainees who didn’t quite make it into the final group, I found myself capturing the touching scene between Adela, a trainee eliminated in the first round of Dream Academy voting, and Emily, another trainee who was voted off on the last night. Both ladies offered each other comfort and understanding during their heartfelt conversation.

“The way they hug at the end, I even have chills now,” says Hallgren. “You don’t need words.”

After a rigorous selection process, Manon, Sophia, Daniela, Lara, Megan, and Yoonchae were chosen to be the global girl group debuting under KATSEYE, HYBE, and Geffen. These talented individuals are based in Los Angeles and originate from various parts of the United States, Korea, Switzerland, and the Philippines. Notably, they are the first artists of Indian, Filipino, Latina, and Black identity to be signed by Korean music giant HYBE. On August 16th, a week prior to the release of Pop Star Academy on Netflix, KATSEYE launched their first EP titled: SIS (Soft is Strong). A few days following the Netflix premiere, Hallgren expressed concerns about the impact of this project. The trainees and KATSEYE members have viewed the completed product and provided feedback to Hallgren. She mentioned that they felt it was an authentic representation of their experience, allowing them to reflect on a rather intense journey for everyone involved.

Hallgren expresses her hope that viewers grasp this key idea from the show: “Even if you possess immense talent, top-notch training, and prestigious education, can you muster the mental fortitude to persevere until the finish line?” She believes these young dancers showed a resilience that many adults she knows struggle with. Having worked with numerous high achievers, this endurance in pursuit of their artistic dreams is a powerful lesson she wishes viewers would glean from the show.

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2024-08-23 23:07