Netflix, HYBE America Team With YouTube Star for a K-Pop Drama

• Netflix approved an untitled scripted series with HYBE America and popular YouTube content creator Alan Chikin Chow.
• The show follows “misfit” aspiring idols who form a co-ed band and release original music.
• The project expands on Netflix’s K-pop push, with no release date announced yet.

Netflix has approved a new scripted television series in collaboration with HYBE America and digital creator Alan Chikin Chow, depicting a wider effort in creating global pop music-based production, notably K-pop.

Netflix and HYBE America, the U.S. subsidiary of South Korea-based media company HYBE Corp., will co-produce the untitled project, announced on Jan 20, 2026. Chow will serve as executive producer along with James Shin, HYBE America's president of film and television, and Jingu Jang, HYBE America AU president and former vice president of BigHit Music.

HYBE-led K-pop Series Centers on Aspiring Pop Idols

The HYBE America x Netflix production will reportedly feature a group of aspiring pop idols who are labeled as "misfit" rejects before enrolling in an arts academy and forming a co-ed band. Cast members are expected to produce original songs alongside the show's episodes, combining fictional drama with real-world musical activity. HYBE will bring its idol training methods to the artists, while Chow will contribute story and digital content understanding gained through his online content creation works.

Notably, Chow’s YouTube channel, Alan's Universe, has a massive viewership base. The creator has approximately 100 million followers across his social media channels (YouTube, Instagram & TikTok combined), and more than 60 billion combined views on his content, making him one of the most popular short-form video makers. According to Variety, in November 2024, Chow set up a 10,000-square-foot production facility in Burbank, where all series production is currently taking place.

Netflix Expands K-pop-Focused Programming

The initiative comes as Netflix ramps up its interest in worldwide pop culture brands, especially those with strong musical elements. The streaming platform's 2025 animated viral hit KPop Demon Hunters became one of its most-watched original films globally, helping establish K-pop-based content as a strategic focus. KPop Demon Hunters earned several Grammy nods as well as won Golden Globe awards, showcasing the global success of such programming material.

This partnership expands HYBE America's broader 2025 engagement with Chow, which was originally established under the HYBE America x AU label. As of now, no official title or release date has been announced. Aside from Chow, no casting or filming timeline has been revealed, but more information is expected as the project proceeds into production.