Apple TV+’s “K-Popd”: A Collaboration Between Pop Legends and K-Pop Idols Lands at the Top of Global Charts

The competition show “K-Popd,” featuring world-renowned pop stars alongside K-Pop idols, has quickly risen to the top ranks in terms of global popularity since its release. Debuted on Apple TV+ on August 29, it reached fifth place in Flipboard Patrol’s “Apple TV+ Content Global Daily Chart TV Shows” category just one day after airing, and by August 31 it had climbed to fourth place in the overall global popularity ranking. Among all works that made it into the top 10, “K-Popd” was the only non-drama variety show. In South Korea, it topped the list of most popular live content on the Apple TV+ section on Tving right after its release, while it ranked second in East Asian countries familiar with K-Pop such as Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, and Mongolia. It also reached fifth place in the United States and entered the top 10 in 99 other countries, including the UK, Argentina, and Saudi Arabia. “K-Popd” follows a format in which pop legends who defined an era form teams with K-Pop idols to reinterpret each other’s hit songs in a “K-Pop style.” Legends such as Megan Thee Stallion, Spice Girls, Vanilla Ice, Kylie Minogue, Boy George, Jess Glynne, and Boys II Men collaborated with artists like Billlie, ITZY, Kep1er, ATEEZ, STAYC, Kiss of Life, and BLACKSWAN. The program’s standout feature is its ability to deliver both “live performances” and “cultural exchange” simultaneously. It also shows the pop stars visiting South Korea to experience local culture firsthand. Spice Girls and Kylie Minogue tried Korean tea ceremony and traditional dance, while Megan Thee Stallion challenged herself to eating spicy ramen. Lionel Richie, one of the co-creators and an American singer-songwriter, emphasized the “value of cultural exchange” in an interview with People magazine and expressed surprise on social media upon learning that “K-Popd” was number one in South Korea. Billboard described “K-Popd” as “a showcase where global stars come together to deliver genuine and awe-inspiring musical interactions.” International media has also given it high praise. The North American entertainment outlet Entertainment Now referred to the collaboration between pop legends and K-Pop stars as a “cultural summit that demonstrates connections across generations and cultures,” noting that it allows Western fans to experience the “training and professionalism of K-Pop artists” while giving younger music enthusiasts a chance to see the “historical influence of pop stars.” However, some critics have offered negative assessments. The UK’s Guardian pointed out a lack of creativity as a competition show and criticized it as a “commercial attempt that overtly exploits K-Pop trends.”