Gangnam Project
Gangnam Project is a Canadian youth comedy-drama series, which premiered in 2024 on CBC Gem.[1] The series stars Julia Kim Caldwell as Hannah Shin, a Korean Canadian teenager with dreams of becoming a K-pop star, who gets a job in Seoul as an English tutor at a K-pop training school.[2]
The cast also includes Brianna Kim as Chan-Mi, a student at the training academy who becomes a rival to Hannah,[3] as well as Zeboria, Sean Baek, M. J. Kang, Paul Seungbin Lee, Joshua Hyunho Lee, Angela Son, Taran Kim, Kylie Haasz, Kimmy Choi, Kayleigh Shikanai, Aadin Church, Sonam Kalsang, Soo-Ram Kim, Daniel Junghuan Park, Tommy Chang, Dahyeon Hwang, Judy Min Lee and Soon-Year Lee in supporting roles.
The series was created by Sarah Haasz, based in part on her own childhood experience being treated as an outsider, rather than a Korean, when she participated in a Korean cultural exchange program.[4] It was shot in Hamilton, Ontario, principally on the campus of Mohawk College,[4] and produced by Pillango Productions and Aircraft Pictures.[5]
Music for the show was written by Canadian musician August Rigo.[4]
The series premiered in March 2024 on CBC Gem in Canada, and CBBC in the United Kingdom.[6] A second season went into production in the fall of 2024,[7] and was released in 2025.
Awards
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian Screen Awards | 2025 | Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series | Sarah Haasz, Romeo Candido, Anthony Leo, Andrew Rosen, Amy Cole, Aubrey Clarke | Pending | [8] |
| Best Direction in a Children's or Youth Program or Series | Romeo Candido, "Pilot" | Pending | |||
| Canada Media Fund Kids Choice Award | Sarah Haasz, Romeo Candido, Anthony Leo, Andrew Rosen, Amy Cole, Aubrey Clarke | Pending |
References
- ^ Ryan Tuchow, "Broadcasters bust a move for K-pop series Gangnam Project". Kidscreen, June 6, 2024.
- ^ John Hopewell, "Federation Kids & Family Sells K-Pop Tween Series ‘Gangnam Project’ to Key Markets". Variety, June 6, 2024.
- ^ Dana Gee, "K-pop training school backdrop for new series; Gangnam Project hopefuls have fun - and some drama - in show aimed at 8-12 audience". The Province, March 17, 2024.
- ^ a b c Daniel Nolan, "Making of 'Gangnam Project' in Hamilton was personal for Sarah Haasz: Mohawk College played the role of K-Pop school in South Korea". Hamilton Spectator, March 8, 2024.
- ^ Justin Anderson, "Pillango, Aircraft team on K-pop-inspired Gangnam Project". Playback, October 2, 2023.
- ^ Hannah Abraham, "Canadian-British Kids Series ‘Gangnam Project’ Explores Universal Themes Of Cultural Belonging Via The Phenomenon That Is K-Pop". Deadline Hollywood, April 10, 2024.
- ^ Nicholas Sokic, "Gangnam Project dances on for season two at CBC Kids". Playback, October 17, 2024.
- ^ "Canadian Screen Awards: Television Program Categories". Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, March 26, 2025.