Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2024

52%

WISE Score

6.6

IMDb

Behind-the-scenes look at K-pop idol training that's part inspiration, part pressure cooker, with language and sexy moves best for older teens.

6.6/10

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Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE

show

TV-14, 2024

52%

WISE Score

6.6

IMDb

Behind-the-scenes look at K-pop idol training that's part inspiration, part pressure cooker, with language and sexy moves best for older teens.

6.6

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6.6/10

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Screenwise Verdict

This is reality TV dressed up as a music documentary, and the result is complicated. On one hand, it offers genuine insight into the K-pop machine and shows young women working their tails off. On the other, it's saturated with the exact things that make modern teen culture exhausting: Instagram validation, appearance obsession, and brutal competition.

The language is surprisingly strong for a show about forming a pop group, and the sexy choreography pushes this firmly into older-teen territory. Common Sense Media's 15+ rating feels right—younger kids won't get much from it anyway, and older teens can at least think critically about what they're watching.

If your teen is K-pop obsessed, they're probably going to watch it regardless. Just know it's not exactly wholesome—it's a pressure cooker with good music and questionable life lessons about what success requires.

Age Fit

Best for 15+ due to language, sexual content in choreography, and the emotionally intense competitive format. Younger teens who are into K-pop might be drawn to it, but the stress, appearance focus, and profanity make it better suited for high schoolers who can process the darker sides of the industry.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Documentary follows young women through an intense K-pop training program with some positive themes around perseverance and teamwork, but features tight/revealing outfits, sexy choreography, strong language (f--k, s--t), and the high-pressure competitive environment that can feel emotionally fraught. The Instagram-heavy culture and focus on appearance/perfection undercut the healthier aspects.

Imaginative

As a behind-the-scenes docuseries, it offers some insight into the creative process of forming a pop group and choreography development, but it's primarily observational rather than sparking creativity or exploration. The format is standard reality-competition documentary without innovative storytelling or imagination-provoking elements.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it 15+ due to strong profanity (f--k, s--t throughout), sexy dance moves and revealing outfits, and the emotionally intense competitive pressure. No violence or gore, but the language and sexual content would be unexpected for younger viewers. The high-stress elimination format and focus on body image/appearance could be triggering for some teens.

Enriching

Provides real insight into the demanding K-pop training system and music industry, showing work ethic, dedication, and the reality of pursuing artistic dreams. However, it also normalizes extreme pressure, appearance obsession, and social media validation. Some value in seeing diverse young women pursue goals, but the takeaways are mixed—is this inspiration or cautionary tale?

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Real glimpse into the notoriously intense K-pop training system and what it takes to make it in the music industry
Shows diverse young women working incredibly hard toward their dreams with dedication and perseverance
Documentary format means it's actual reality rather than scripted drama
Could spark conversations about work ethic, artistic pursuit, and the costs of fame
For teens already into K-pop, satisfies curiosity about how groups are actually formed

⚠

What to Watch For

Frequent strong language (f--k, s--t) throughout the series
Sexy choreography, revealing outfits, and performance moves that emphasize bodies and sexuality
Intense competitive pressure and elimination format that could be stressful or triggering
Heavy focus on appearance, Instagram culture, and external validation
May glamorize an industry known for extreme demands on young performers

Conversation Starters

"What do you think about how hard these trainees work? Is that level of dedication inspiring or concerning?"
"How do you think the constant focus on appearance and social media affects these young performers?"
"Would you want to be part of something like this? What would be the best and worst parts?"
"What's the difference between pushing yourself to achieve a dream and pushing too hard?"
"Do you think the way K-pop idols are trained is similar to or different from how artists develop in other countries?"

Deep Dive

If you’re expecting a feel-good Star is Born montage, you’re in the wrong place. This series is a corporate hunger games where the prize is a spot in Katseye. It’s fascinating because it strips away the gloss of the music video and shows you the actual grit—and the occasional cruelty—of the K-pop idol system.

The "Idol" Machine vs. Reality

The show works best when it stops trying to be a commercial and starts being a sports documentary. These girls aren't just "practicing"; they are training like Olympic athletes with 12-hour days and constant, public ranking. If your kid is used to the democratic vibe of American Idol where the "best" singer wins, this will be a culture shock. In this world, talent is just the baseline. The real test is stamina and the ability to look perfect while your hamstrings are screaming.

The friction comes from the "evaluations." Watching a room full of executives critique a teenager’s "aura" or "facial expressions" as if they’re inspecting a piece of hardware is uncomfortable. It’s brutal. It’s the kind of thing that makes you want to pause and ask your teen if any job is actually worth that level of scrutiny.

The Manon Factor and "Internet Girls"

One of the most compelling arcs involves Manon Bannerman and the 'Internet Girl' reality. Her journey highlights the massive gap between being a "natural" star with a huge social media following and being a disciplined trainee. The show doesn't shy away from the resentment this causes among the other girls. It’s a perfect case study in how modern fame works: sometimes the person who works the hardest isn't the one the camera loves the most.

This dynamic is where the show gets its "reality TV" energy. There’s genuine tension, some tears, and a lot of side-eye. It’s not "mean girls" for the sake of drama; it’s the result of putting twenty ambitious people in a room and telling them only six can have a career.

If They Liked Cheer or Dance Moms

If your teen inhaled the high-stakes world of competitive cheerleading or the drama of elite dance, they’ll find this addictive. It occupies that same space of "extreme discipline meets high emotion."

However, be ready for the language. While the music itself is polished and radio-ready, the behind-the-scenes footage is peppered with enough f-bombs to remind you this is a Netflix documentary, not a Disney Channel original. The "sexy" choreography is also a major pillar of the show. It’s not just about dancing well; it’s about selling a specific, mature image that the industry demands.

If you want to use this as a "how the sausage is made" lesson, it’s a goldmine. It effectively de-glamorizes the life of a pop star by showing that for every three minutes of a viral TikTok dance, there were six months of someone crying in a rehearsal hall because their "lines" weren't clean enough.

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