The recently released documentary series delves into the creation of the self-proclaimed inaugural “global girl group.”This involved executives from both the K-pop powerhouse HYBE and American record label Geffen handpicking a diverse group of contestants from around the world, who then underwent intense K-pop-inspired training and competed for a coveted position in the ultimate lineup.
Inspired by shows such as Making the Band and Rock School, The Debut: Dream Academy featured the top 20 contestants as they competed in a series of challenges that highlighted their vocal and dance skills, as well as their natural star quality.
Despite the fact that the members of Katseye have already debuted, Pop Star Academy: Katseye offers a behind-the-scenes look at the lead up to the competition, highlighting the highs and lows experienced by the group.
Is Pop Star Academy: Katseye scripted?
The Netflix docu-series is unscripted, meaning that the drama and emotions portrayed are authentic. However, executives involved in the production acknowledged utilizing tactics to enhance the storytelling aspect.
In Episode 6, it was made apparent during private interviews that the remaining trainees were tasked with choosing five of their peers for their “ideal debut group.”
Moreover, they were originally under the impression that they were undergoing training, but were later informed that they would actually be participating in a survival show. As fan voting was introduced, they were then revealed their rankings after each mission.
In the upcoming installment of Pop Star Academy, Mitra, the president of HxG, reveals that their goal was to craft a more captivating plot. She elaborates, stating, “We simply aimed to intensify the stakes. This is a competition, and it’s crucial to generate that tension.”
“Despite our best efforts, we made sure to handle the situation with utmost respect. However, after reflecting on the outcome, I came to understand why some of the girls felt hurt as they believed they were betraying their fellow sisters.”
She continues, “While some were not fond of it, many others were greatly enthusiastic. It ended up being one of our most popular episodes due to the high amount of viewers who were truly captivated by it.”
In that regard, it could be argued that certain dramatic situations in Pop Star Academy: Katseye were contrived, but all of the experiences and dialogue of the group are genuine.
Despite viewers’ speculations, one went as far as to claim that the documentary was “so scripted it’s infuriating to watch.”They accused the series of portraying Manon as an underdog while vilifying Sophia and Lara as mean girls.
“In my opinion, this documentary would have been better off not being made,”they further added. “It appears to be overly scripted and trying too hard to create unnecessary drama. While I understand it’s for entertainment purposes, it’s a no from me personally.”
Despite the occasional dissenting opinion, the majority of viewers did not share this sentiment. One individual responded to the thread by stating, “I completely disagree, I believe it is entirely unscripted.”
“I believe that both Manon and the other girls experienced situations that are common during their trainee period, and fans may struggle to witness it unfold on camera. I am confident that many idols can empathize with both parties involved in this conflict.”
One person stated, “Everyone has days that are not so great. It’s just a part of life. Of course, the editing might exaggerate things, but the situation is not set up.”
Another person highlighted the distinction between scripted productions and “pushing a narrative,”explaining, “Scripted implies that the story was predetermined and the group simply followed that narrative…”
“Like most reality shows, the producers of this show often craft a storyline based on the events that unfold and manipulate the narrative through their editing choices.”
Will there be a Season 2?
Despite the lack of an official announcement from Netflix, HYBE unveiled their growth plans in August 2024, which involve introducing new US-based artists following Katseye’s success in Pop Star Academy Season 1.
The company informed its shareholders that in order to maintain competitiveness in the medium- to long-term, they will be implementing a new strategy called HYBE 2.0 which includes both restructuring of their business and changes to their governance.
As part of this new strategy, the introduction of additional American idols is being considered. If another group were to move forward with this plan, there is a strong possibility that it could result in a second season of Dream Academy and its accompanying Netflix documentary series.
Despite the fact that it is all conjecture at this moment, supporters are eagerly expressing their desires for the future. This includes delving deeper into the fate of the chosen Katseye members – Manon, Sophia, Yoonchae, Lara, Daniela, and Megan – and discovering what became of them.
One person commented on Reddit, stating that they believed the series could have improved with an additional episode featuring the girls as Katseye. They noted that the group had grown significantly over the past year and expressed disappointment that this development was not showcased.
Another individual commented on X/Twitter, expressing their hope for Season 2 to focus on Katseye’s journey and their training at Dream Academy.
Despite it being too early to say, there was speculation about the possibility of a new installment featuring a boy group. As Katseye had recently gained popularity, someone asked, “Do you think there will be a Season 2 of Dream Academy with boys?”The response was, “I believe there will be one within the next few years.”
Katseye, a Pop Star Academy production, is currently available for streaming on Netflix. For those seeking something new, be sure to browse the latest TV shows premiering this month, along with the top series of 2024 thus far and the must-watch binge-worthy shows to add to your list.
Leave a Reply