Gangnam Project Now Streaming on Netflix
The teen series Gangnam Project initially premiered on the CBC Gem streaming service in 2024 and was popular enough to warrant a second season in 2025. It’s not hard to see its appeal—there are numerous K-Pop performances, and the lead characters are genuinely enjoyable to watch.
Opening Scene: A female K-Pop group is in the midst of a vibrant music video. However, there’s a teenage girl among them who appears somewhat lost.
Key Points: This predicament represents a recurring nightmare for Hannah Shin (played by Julia Kim Caldwell), particularly since she learned she would be tutoring at OME Productions in Seoul. Hannah and her brother Leo (Taran Kim) make the journey from Canada to Seoul, staying with their grandmother, Halmoni (Soon-Year Lee), and their aunt, Ji-young (Kimmy Choi).
Hannah is a devoted K-Pop fan, and OME serves as a significant training ground for aspiring K-Pop idols. Her role as a tutor involves helping these “trainees” with English and media skills. Ken Yoon (Sean Baek), the studio head, acknowledges that Hannah and Leo’s father had a military background in Korea, which adds an interesting twist to their family’s past.
Sung Hee (Angela Song), a fifth-year trainee fluent in English, takes Hannah under her wing and introduces her to several male trainees. Ken later introduces Hannah to Chan-mi (Brianna Kim), a trainee he believes has star potential, yet she shows reluctance towards learning English and engaging in OME’s media training. Ken views Hannah as his last hope to connect with Chan-mi, thinking someone closer to her age might resonate better with her.
Hannah’s journey is also about rediscovering her Korean roots. Though she can communicate a bit in Korean and relies on her phone for translations, Chan-mi’s blunt comment, “You’re not one of us,” stings. Another awkward moment arises when Hannah compares her grandmother’s kimchi to her mother’s, which inadvertently offends her. However, a supportive call with her father and encouragement from Leo rekindle her love for music.
Show Comparisons: Created by Sarah Haas and Romeo Candido, Gangnam Project shares a vibe with another Netflix series featuring Korean teens from North America called XO, Kitty.
Our Take: The series might lean towards corny territory with a different lead, but Caldwell’s charm makes Hannah’s path toward deeper involvement in the K-Pop industry and her cultural reconnection believable. While Hannah projects a sunny disposition, Leo suggests they use music as a bridge to better connect with Chan-mi. When Ken overhears Hannah singing to Chan-mi, he begins to see her potential as a trainee instead of just a tutor.
We watch Hannah as she navigates relationships with the other trainees, while Leo learns discipline under Ken. The overall tone leans towards a high school drama, filled with musical moments sure to charm K-Pop-loving teens (and perhaps their parents too). Caldwell’s performance anchors the show effectively.
Featured Performances: Besides Caldwell, the singing and dancing skills of the other trainees are equally entertaining.
Target Audience: This show seems geared towards kids aged 8 and above, particularly those who are fans of K-Pop.
Parting Insight: Halmeoni browses a photo album and discovers that Hannah’s father and Ken once formed a boy band together. I wonder how that ties into their military service timeline?
Spotlight Performer: Keep an eye on Sung Hee, portrayed by Angela Song; watching her bond with Hannah should be rewarding. But, there’s a slight tension still…
Noteworthy Line: Seung-hee compliments Han-na on her English proficiency, attributing it to rap videos—even noting her minimal accent, which is, well, not surprising since Angela Song is Canadian.
Final Verdict: Gangnam Project is definitely worth the watch. It’s an engaging teen show packed with lively K-Pop performances and a central character you want to see succeed.
