Viral Social Media Star Unexpectedly Debuts In New SM Entertainment Group
Previously, it was reported that BBC had acquired a new series revolving around K-Pop.
This unique acquisition will showcase a sense of exactly what it takes to make it in the world of K-pop. Witnessing the band come together and be put through their paces promises to be a very exciting prospect for audiences.
— Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC
SM Entertainment and Kakao Entertainment America created a new six-part series, Made in Korea: The K-Pop Experience, which is now distributed by BBC.
Through this UK boy group project, we anticipate a palpable synergy between SM Entertainment’s prowess in K-pop production and Moon&Back Media’s expertise in developing music-genre TV shows. This collaboration will yield exceptional content that will captivate pop music fans, not only in the UK, but worldwide.
— Daniel Jang, CEO, SM Entertainment
This endeavour marks the first time we’ve utilised K-pop’s production expertise within the UK, the birthplace of pop music, to directly showcase the creation of artists and music IP. It represents a meaningful opportunity to connect with a global audience through a reality show that traces the group’s journey and development. We’re confident that this project will open a new chapter for K-pop, offering a unique entertainment experience to music enthusiasts worldwide. We look forward to witnessing the debut and growth of this boy group together, with hopes that viewers will discover a new side of K-pop and fall in love with it all over again.
— Joseph Chang, Co-CEO, Kakao Entertainment Corp
The limited series follows “five boys from across the UK as they are put through the K-pop training process with the goal of launching a new boy band on the global stage.” It was filmed in South Korea, documenting the boys’ trainee experience in SM Entertainment, working with the best choreographers, undergoing vocal, dance, and performance lessons, “life coaching techniques,” and more. The five British boys reportedly trained for 100 days in hopes of debuting as an idol group.
Each week the band’s progress is critiqued by undisputed K-pop expert, Hee Jun Yoon, the creative force behind some of the biggest K-pop bands of the last 20 years. This is the ultimate boot camp by the people who have created the world’s biggest K-pop superstars – but success is far from guaranteed.
— BBC
Producers for the show include Moon&Back Media, which was part of the team that developed and produced iconic shows Got Talent and The X Factor and beloved boy band One Direction.
Made in Korea: The K-Pop Experience combines best in class from both K-pop and global entertainment production worlds. Forming a British boy band, schooling them through the unrivalled rigours of the K-pop process, and launching them on the global stage is creating both a world first and unmissable television.
— Nigel Hall, Co-founder, Moon&Back Media
The six-part series will premiere via BBC One and iPlayer on Saturday, August 17, at 5:15 PM, with narration by Vick Hope. Yet, the group’s name and members have already been revealed.
The group is called Dear Alice, and it’s comprised of 19-year-old Blaise Noon, 22-year-old Dexter Greenwood, 23-year-old James Sharp, 20-year-old Olly Quinn, and 20-year-old Reese Carter.
🇰🇷 We went to Seoul to train with some of K-pop's best vocal & dance coaches. It's the craziest, and best, experience we've ever had! 🩵 James, Blaise, Dexter, Reese, Olly#dearalice #jamessharp #dextergreenwood #ollyquinn #blaisenoon #reesecarter pic.twitter.com/QmgsGRH7xM
— Dear Alice (@dearalicemusic) August 1, 2024
Dear Alice recently launched their official social media channels. As the members were revealed, netizens couldn’t help but notice one member in particular seemed familiar…
#JAMES
See you soon! 🖤#jamessharp #dearalice pic.twitter.com/tYtvKASGVt— Dear Alice (@dearalicemusic) August 2, 2024
James Sharp is actually a TikToker with 1.3M followers. He is also half of TheSharpTwins, which has 5.5M followers. The account publishes a mix of lip-syncing and comedy videos with the help of his twin brother, Lewis.
@thesharptwins Our iconic routine
One of their past challenge videos, in which they attempted to make others cringe, has resurfaced. It went viral with 1.3M views at the time of writing, as netizens were shocked to realize that’s where they knew James from already.
@svtworldtour DISCLAIMER: both of those clips were from a try not to cringe challenge he wasnt being fr, also this IS james not his twin brother, lewis confirmed it😭 #smentertaiment #nct #aespa #redvelvet #riize
Some joked that he is prepared for any challenges K-Pop idols face, such as aegyo.
His twin, Lewis, even commented, confirming the clips are of James, not himself.
James has also shared a video via his account. He confirmed that after some inactivity on social media, he is debuting as a member of Dear Alice.
@jamsharpy @Dear Alice 🖤 #DEARALICE #MADEINKOREA
At the time of writing, the video had garnered 1M views. Netizens expressed their shock about James’ latest venture.
Congratulations to James on his debut!
