Broadcasters snap up K-Pop inspired tween series "Gangnam Project"

Federation Kids & Family, part of media powerhouse Federation Studios, has finalized multiple sales with key international broadcasters on the new K-pop inspired tween live action series Gangnam Project, since its recent launch on CBC Gem in Canada, and CBBC and BBC iPlayer in the UK.

The coming-of-age dramedy has been snapped up by NRK (Norway), YLE (Finland), TV3 Group (Baltics), France Télévisions (France) and ABC (Australia).

Produced by Pillango Productions and Aircraft Pictures with co-commissioning broadcasters CBC Kids and CBBC, Gangnam Project (10 x 30′) is set in Korea, and tells the story of Hannah Shin, a spirited Canadian/Korean teen with dreams of connecting with her Korean heritage.

One summer, she accepts a job as an English tutor and flies to South Korea to work at an elite K-pop training school and ends up getting much more than she bargained for. Hannah is tasked with tutoring one of the school’s top students Chan-Mi, who is proving quite challenging. In a bid to win her and the other students over, Hannah showcases her talent with some impromptu performances, but instead her talents attract the attention of the school’s owner which leads to the opportunity to become a K-pop student herself.

The CBC Kids and CBBC original series, Gangnam Project has also just won a prestigious Pulcinella Award (Best Live Action and/or Hybrid TV Show) during the recent Cartoons on the Bay.

Monica Levy, Co-Chief of Distribution, Federation Kids & Family said:

Gangnam Project is an upbeat series that promises a winning combination of drama, and K-pop dance. Inspired by Sarah Haasz’s (the show creator) own personal journey as a first-generation immigrant from Korea living in Canada caught between two countries/cultures, it also touches on universal themes surrounding the importance of being accepted and accepting.

Music for the series is composed by August Rigo who has composed for BTS, Justin Bieber, SEVENTEEN and One Direction.