CBBC and CBC return to K-pop drama

CBBC and Canada’s CBC Kids have ordered a second series of tween K-pop drama Gangnam Project, co-produced by Canadian prodcos Pillango Productions and Aircraft Pictures.  

Another 10 x 30-minute series will be set between Seoul and Hamilton Ontario, following a Canadian/ Korean teen who works at an elite K-pop training school. The second series will focus on the transition from young trainees to professional K-pop idols.  

An original K-pop soundtrack will be provided once again by August Rigo, who has written songs for BTSglobal K-pop sensations BTS, Justin Bieber and One Direction.  

Joining the cast is newcomer Ryan Jacob Kong, alongside returning cast members Julia Kim Caldwell, Taran Kim, Brianna Kim, Joshua Lee, Angela Son, Kylie Haasz, Sean Baek, Paul Seungbin Lee, Zeboria Peters and M.J. Kang.  

Series creator Sarah Haasz, who is founder of Pillango Productions, will serve as showrunner and executive producer alongside head writer Jennica Harper and Aircraft Pictures’ Anthony Leo and Andrew Rosen. The directors are Justin Wu, Gloria Kim and Samantha Wan.  

For CBBC, Sarah Muller is senior head of children’s commissioning 7+, Aubrey Clarke is commissioning executive 7+ and Desiree Peeters is assistant commissioner – submissions lead 0-12.  

For CBC, Sally Catto is general manager of entertainment, factual and sports, Marie McCann is senior director of children’scContent and Swin Chang is executive in charge of development and production.  

Haasz said: “I feel incredibly blessed to be continuing the Gangnam Project journey with our phenomenal cast and crew. This season will showcase more incredible music, extraordinary performances, and, of course, a dose of k-drama.”  

Muller said: “The popularity of Korean culture from K-pop to K-drama to K-cartoons continues to grow and it is important to reflect that in our offering to younger audiences.  

“It’s a pleasure to bring more of these global stories for a second series, with key universal themes of friendship, challenge, and commitment at its core - and all of the added fun of brilliant music and dance routines.”  

The series is financially supported by Shaw Rocket Fund and the Canada Media Fund. Federation Kids & Family is handling worldwide sales, with Season one acquired by France Télévisions (France), ABC (Australia), YLE (Finland), TV3 Group (Baltics) and NRK (Norway).