An Open Letter to Nick Cannon About His New K-Pop TV Show

Hello Nick,

So! We heard the news that you are developing a show about high school students that involves K-Pop! Looks like it will be called 'The Drop' or 'K-Pop High.' Some of the reports have called it "K-Pop meets Glee." We're already in love. You've probably already got lots of ideas about how to make this a winner, but we figured a little advice from some K-Pop experts couldn't hurt. Here's how we think you can make one of the greatest shows ever:

First of all, let's talk FASHION. You know what a great opportunity you have here, right? We're sure other Nickelodeon kids have some great outfits, but real talk: K-Pop fashion is on another level. Make sure your costume designers are ones that are familiar with K-Pop's latest looks and that they're unafraid to take risks and create some new trends of their own. We need non-stop color. We need metallic. We need rainbow lightning bolts painted on faces. We need sky-high heels and cartoonish bodysuits and giant fur coats. And that's just in one scene.

Now let's move on to specific musical numbers. K-Pop is nothing if not outside of the box, so this is the perfect opportunity to go beyond the traditional high school musical format. A song that incorporates another of Korea's favorite past times - gaming? We're imagining the singing humanoids and hurling fireballs already. It's a boarding school, right? Perfect for a slumber party K-Pop anthem marching through the halls of the school.  We're also game for the classic 'students rebelling against their teachers' number.

You're also in a great position to put together some all-star collaborations. We'll leave you with our suggestions here.

In addition, this is a perfect opportunity to showcase the newcomers. K-Pop is full of multi-million dollar labels and stars with fans worldwide, but South Korea is also the scene to several talented musicians that create their own music and perform it on a much smaller scale. Scour YouTube and Korean cafes for these little guys, and give them a Nickelodeon stage to debut their work to millions.

One more piece of advice, and maybe the most important: You've got a platform where you can create the ideal K-Pop world. Use it. You can call out K-Pop on its issues while showcasing what makes K-Pop fabulous, unique, and unrivaled worldwide.  At its worst, K-Pop gets criticized for oversexualizing its young (especially female) performers, putting the demands of the label over the mental and physical health of its artists, and controlling the images and output of its stars. At its best, though, we know K-Pop as an intimate world where bold music, groundbreaking fashion, and a wildly loyal fan base roam free.

Make characters that work hard at writing and performing music because they love it, not because a parent or a label is making them do so. Hire a diverse cast that includes (and celebrates!) actors of every race, size, age, and sexual identity. Create female performers that are more fearless and brassy than they are shy, conventionally sexy, or cutesy. And if a character does struggle with the same issues - low self-esteem, bullying, racism, classism, sexism, etc. - that many K-Pop performers and average teenagers must face, help viewers understand how and why it happens and how to deal with it in their own lives.

We've got faith in you, Nick, and can't wait till we get to see this show air.

Sincerely,

KPopStarz

Tags
Nick Cannon
tv
television show
fashion
fantasy collab
kpop collaborations
teenager
boarding school
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