Watch: Idols Reveal What's At The Core Of K-Pop In New "K-Pop Generation" Teaser

Jan 18, 2023

Your favorite idols are taking the time to answer some of the biggest questions surrounding K-pop in a new documentary!

TVING’s original “K-Pop Generation” introduces a new format of “factual entertainment” by adding archiving and dramatization to a documentary. Top-notch artists representing K-pop including Kangta, Super Junior’s Leeteuk, Sunmi, SHINee’s Minho, 2PM, Highlight, EXO’s Suho, MAMAMOO’s Hwasa, NCT’s Doyoung, Stray Kids, TXT, AleXa, ENHYPEN, IVE, and LE SSERAFIM as well as foreign artists JO1, SB19, and NiziU will appear according to the theme of each episode.

Following the release of the first teaser, TVING released another sneak peek of the documentary that will shed some light on the fast-growing K-pop industry and the lives of K-pop idols within it.

The trailer features a whole lineup of stars spanning multiple generations of K-pop as they sit down to talk about what it means to be an idol, the music they make, their fans, and the expectations that follow them every step of the way. Stray Kids’ I.N describes K-pop as a comprehensive form of art, referring to how all of the components make up the bigger picture we see.

Kim Do Hoon, CEO of RBW, comments how the fans are the ones who have made this entire industry possible. “It was really interesting,” says SHINee’s Minho. “I didn’t do anything, so why do [the fans] like me?”

The teaser then goes on to highlight just how much of an impact K-pop has had around the world, contrary to what idols may feel. Fans who have made YouTube channels to show their love for K-pop, K-pop critics, and even scholars are shown sharing their opinions about the music genre and industry as well as praising the impact they have had on a global scale.

Lee Sung Su, CEO of SM Entertainment, then comments, “It’s a game that doesn’t have a right answer. That’s because it’s not something as clear-cut as saying something like one plus one equals two.” To back up his point, Highlight’s Yoseob recounts how they started out as the group BEAST and came back together as Highlight.

The atmosphere turns a bit more serious as the idols recount some of the worries and fears that come along with such impactful work. TXT’s Taehyun says, “Back then, I couldn’t understand my world. It’s not easy.”

“I’m afraid that they’ll think, ‘Huh? Where’s the ENHYPEN I knew?'” admits ENHYPEN’s Jungwon, while IVE’s An Yu Jin recalls how there are many misunderstandings that occur in her line of work.

“Why can’t I just give up?” says MAMAMOO’s Hwasa with a laugh.

But despite the tough times, one thing ties all of these artists together. “I do want to keep being an idol in the future,” says EXO’s Suho, perfectly summing up what’s likely on every K-pop idol’s mind.

The teaser wraps up with the words, “The essence of K-pop is dreams,” leaving viewers feeling inspired, hopeful, and curious to know the full story.

Watch the full teaser below!