Mission K-Pop
Claim This Podcastby 2025 USG Audio
Podcast Overview
<p>Caty Szeto is a woman with a dream: to become a K-Pop superstar. The 23-year-old Asian American is traveling from her home in LA to South Korea’s capital Seoul to attend a K-Pop academy. There she’ll do hardcore training in singing, dancing and styling. All this is to prepare for make-or-break auditions for K-Pop agencies like SM Entertainment, Big Hit Music and YG Entertainment. If she makes it, Caty could become a chart-topping idol like the megastars who perform to legions of fans and make millions. But this quest has its challenges. Caty finds out about ageism in the industry, where many new idols are in their teens. Then she comes face-to-face with incredibly specific K-beauty standards while navigating being a foreigner in K-Pop. Over just three months, our host journalist Haeryun Kang follows Caty to see if she can overcome these obstacles and reach K-Pop stardom.</p><p>From USG Audio, Novel and PRX, Mission K-Pop is an 8-part podcast series about one woman's quest to become an idol and how her journey illuminates the beautiful and chaotic world of K pop.</p><p><br></p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
10/6/2025
1 verified contact email on file for Mission K-Pop
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Recent Episodes
November 24, 2025
Hope Torture
Caty finishes her three months in Seoul and prepares to return home to LA. She faces one final hurdle as her academy surprises her with a last-minute evaluation. So far, Caty hasn’t passed any auditions to become a trainee at a K-Pop entertainment agency. Caty’s wondering if she should continue pursuing K-Pop stardom at all. Haeryun meets Caty in California to ruminate over what’s holding her back and what she should do with her future. Consultant: Suk-Young Kim
November 17, 2025
Alternate Realities
If Caty were cast by an entertainment agency, she’d become a trainee. That is far from the glamorous lifestyle of a K-Pop superstar. Haeryun finds out the reality of traineeship by meeting two former trainees, including one who almost made it to K-Pop megastardom in the group BTS. Along the way, Haeryun reveals what motivates Caty to continue pursuing her dream despite the constant disappointment and rejection. Consultant: Suk-Young Kim
November 10, 2025
Lift the Curtain
Despite many try-outs, Caty isn’t passing auditions to become a trainee at a K-Pop entertainment agency. Haeryun doesn’t know exactly why. She’s never been allowed to go into an audition room to actually see how Caty performs. Finally, Haeryun receives permission to watch and record one of Caty’s auditions. She also scores an interview with someone who holds Caty’s fate in their hands: a casting director. Consultant: Suk-Young Kim
9 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Mission K-Pop?
<p>Caty Szeto is a woman with a dream: to become a K-Pop superstar. The 23-year-old Asian American is traveling from her home in LA to South Korea’s capital Seoul to attend a K-Pop academy. There she’ll do hardcore training in singing, dancing and styling. All this is to prepare for make-or-break auditions for K-Pop agencies like SM Entertainment, Big Hit Music and YG Entertainment. If she makes it, Caty could become a chart-topping idol like the megastars who perform to legions of fans and make millions. But this quest has its challenges. Caty finds out about ageism in the industry, where many new idols are in their teens. Then she comes face-to-face with incredibly specific K-beauty standards while navigating being a foreigner in K-Pop. Over just three months, our host journalist Haeryun Kang follows Caty to see if she can overcome these obstacles and reach K-Pop stardom.</p><p>From USG Audio, Novel and PRX, Mission K-Pop is an 8-part podcast series about one woman's quest to become an idol and how her journey illuminates the beautiful and chaotic world of K pop.</p><p><br></p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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