Interview by Paul Salfen
In the vibrant world of global entertainment, few concepts capture the imagination quite like KPOPPED, a groundbreaking film that fuses the high-energy precision of K-pop with the iconic flair of Western music legends. Here, the biggest K-pop groups on the planet divide into two teams, teaming up with superstar artists from the West. Racing against the clock, they reimagine timeless mega-hits into fresh, collaborative performances, with a winning team emerging victorious in each episode. This cultural crossover isn’t just a spectacle—it’s a celebration of music’s universal language.
Paul Salfen of AMFM Magazine recently caught up with the show’s executive producers, Moira Ross and Jake Hong, in an exclusive interview. Fresh off the heels of the production, the duo reflected on the challenges, triumphs, and sheer joy of bringing this ambitious project to life. Their enthusiasm was palpable as they discussed pulling off what many might see as an impossible feat.
From the outset, Ross and Hong admitted that KPOPPED was no small undertaking. “We’re so happy to talk to you about the show because it is so much fun,” Salfen said, praising the seamless execution across multiple episodes. Hong responded with a mix of humility and pride: ” We can definitely confirm that we are very proud of it. And it’s so delightful that everybody is so positive in their reception of it.”
The coordination required was immense, involving teams from diverse cultural and musical backgrounds. When asked if they ever doubted the project’s viability, Ross laughed it off: “There were times when probably we did think, hey, is this really going to happen? But it did.” Rodd added a light-hearted touch: “We’ve got full head of hair. So we managed to get through it without pulling our hair out.” Their banter highlighted the rewarding nature of the endeavor, turning potential chaos into a harmonious success.
With a lineup of stellar pairings, choosing favorites wasn’t easy. Yet both producers singled out one episode that left a lasting impression: the collaboration between Vanilla Ice and the K-pop group Kepler on the classic “Ice Ice Baby.” Hong elaborated, “I love the episode of Vanilla Ice performs with Kepler. I always thought ‘Ice Ice Baby’ is a song that really transcends genre and generation. And when I saw ‘Ice Ice Baby’ come to life in a K-pop way, with such a great performance by the two artists, it was just… the synergy was great.”
Ross echoed the sentiment, noting it was one of the first tracks they heard in pre-production: “Who couldn’t love ‘Ice Ice Baby,’ that song they imagined but it’s never been K-pop’d… It was the first track as our production schedule went, and when we heard that and what the producers had put together, we were like, wow, this is going to work. This is going to be something special.” This episode, they agreed, set the tone for the series, proving that blending genres could yield something truly innovative.
Other highlights included legends like Patti LaBelle, whose powerful voice captivated a new audience. As Ross put it, “It’s really cool to see Patti LaBelle up there and hear and see people’s reaction to her voice.”
Ross and Hong’s roles as executive producers place them at the helm of one of the industry’s most enviable gigs—crafting stories through music and performance. When asked for advice to those dreaming of following in their footsteps, they offered grounded, inspiring wisdom.
Ross emphasized perseverance and kindness: “It’s a real privilege… My advice would be to be nice, be open-hearted, ask the right questions and work really, really hard. But don’t take no for an answer.” Hong complemented this with a focus on mindset: “Be humble. Love what you do. And stay persistent and be grateful for every opportunity.”
Their words underscore the blend of passion and grit required to thrive in entertainment, especially on projects as boundary-pushing as KPOPPED.
Ultimately, the heart of KPOPPED lies in its ability to bridge generations and cultures. Hong and Ross expressed excitement about introducing iconic artists to younger fans. “Those legends for a new generation is exciting, isn’t it?” the interviewer remarked, to which Ross replied, “It is. It’s really cool.”
As the interview wrapped, the producers thanked the team and fans alike, hinting at potential future installments. “Hey, thank you both for doing what you do,” Salfen said. “Look forward to talking to you a little bit more very, very soon. And hopefully we’ll get more of these later.”
KPOPPED isn’t just a film—it’s a testament to music’s power to unite. With Ross and Hong at the wheel, this East-meets-West extravaganza promises to inspire and entertain, one iconic cover at a time. Catch it now and witness the magic for yourself.
