BBC Made In Korea: The K-pop Experience Review: Episode Two

: BBC Made In Korea: The K-pop Experience TV show boyband image from episode two – Filmotomy

Last week we reviewed episode one of BBC’s Made In Korea: The K-pop Experience Documentary series. Make sure to read the review for episode one first here. There’s six episodes in the series and each week will see us revisit the show with a summary breakdown and review on each episode.

Episode Two aired on Saturday 24^th August 2024 on BBC One. We look back on the show that formed the group and the start of their journey.

If you haven’t already, also read our ultimate guide on dearALICE here.

Made In Korea: Episode Two Summary

This week’s performance sees the group learn the lyrics and choreography to new song, Solar.
Although, the big challenge this week involves performing live in front of 500 students at the School of Performing Arts Seoul.
The group visit Lotte World – Seoul’s largest theme park to break away from the intense training. Their fun dance challenge involves dancing to Solar on the fifth-tallest building in the world – on Lotte Tower’s Sky Bridge.
James injures his leg and contracts tonsillitis meaning he misses this week’s performance. He reveals his autism diagnosis, and we see the group support him.
Dexter steps up to perform James’ vocal parts in Solar. But the group’s performance does not quite go as well as they initially thought.

“Performing, it’s kind of a do-or-die situation. With so much competition in the market, you have to have instant engagement with fans, you have to be able to grab them from the get-go.”
Joseph Chang, Co-CEO of Kakao Entertainment on the K-pop Industry.

Made In Korea: Episode Two Review

The second episode seems to be more focused on James. Whilst we see the group practising the routine for Solar, James heartbreakingly sits out on the sidelines. But James faces three tough challenges this week. The first part is James having to learn the choreography. As he’s used to performing freestyle dances on his TikTok – it’s stepping into different territory.

The other factor being he is the only member who’s not used to performing in front of a live audience. And the last, for James has to suffer through a leg injury and combat tonsillitis. But there’s some heart-warming moments in the show too with the group lovingly supporting James through discussions on how they can best support his autism.

Despite James’ fear of heights, the group faces the fifth tallest-building in the world, the Lotte Tower. Their challenge involves dancing to Solar on the Sky bridge. We then see them competing at a very slow-paced go-karting race. As well as, face very high rollercoasters all whilst wearing school uniform to really hone and delve into Korean culture.

Made In Korea stands out for its filming style. This show provides the type of raw, up close and personal footage that we don’t really get an insight into when developing a boy group up until now. Despite some issues with its storytelling structure, it gives viewers an insight into the band before you even become a fully fledged fan. It shows the group in both a fun sense and in a more serious environment.

This shift in tone and contrast just shows the range of emotions this 100-day bootcamp puts the group through. We see the members having fun exploring Seoul. And then how fast the mood can shift to feeling despair after further tough feedback from another evaluation.

Boy Band Trials & Tribulations

There’s a sense of realism behind their trials and tribulations in their dance practises and rehearsals. But then there’s a sense of reeling off scripts in their individual confessional interview clips. At times, we’re left asking – ‘would they really say that line?’ Sometimes Reality TV really tests the meaning behind ‘reality.’

Although, this episode explored the group’s vulnerability and tested their teamwork. We’re left asking, ‘how will they take on their first-ever live performance as a group with a member down?’ Often there’s a lot to unpack in just one episode of Made In Korea.

“Heights and performing live, kind of my biggest fears.”
James Sharp on facing his fears.

Fast-Paced Training Process

The quick editing pace means scenes mix and skip into each other. It’s almost like we could actually reach double the number of episodes with enough footage content to fill 12 episodes worth instead of the 6 released. Perhaps even more with cameras that were on 24/7. From their fun moments exploring Korean culture to their serious moments in the studio, we’re gaining an insight into life as a boy band member.

Even though we see the behind-the-scenes of building the next big British boy band, the show does not highlight their full potential and sometimes undermines their talents. There’s clearly so much more to them than what is shown. And you hope at this point that the rest of the series will at least showcase this. The brutal training process no doubt leaves the group exhausted as we see them try to master complex choreographies in tight schedules.

Made In Korea - Episode two. (L-R) Dexter, Blaise, Olly, James, and Reese/ Image Courtesy of BBC – Filmotomy — (L-R) Dexter, Blaise, Olly, James, and Reese/ Image Courtesy of BBC

Made In Korea: Is There A Clear Structure?

I’m a little mixed about this series, partly due to its structure. There’s no clear definitive structure mapped out. There’s a slight outline for a beginning, middle, and end. But the episodes mostly run like a montage of scenes despairingly placed together. This makes it feel as if any scene could be part of any episode. Although there’s clearly a structure for each member’s story.

Regardless the scenes are mostly memorable but come across as being highly edited in order to be more critically harsh towards the group. As well as serving to build dramatic tension than what’s actually happening in reality. It’s not completely indicative to the group’s potential.

Tensions Are Much Higher Now

Of course, being in the format of a reality series, the drama is intensified to a high scale. In turn this episode specifically makes it seem like they are struggling much more than they actually are throughout the training process.

With the threat that one member or more could be cut from the group’s line-up means tensions are much higher. There’s lots going on from dance challenges and lessons in Korean culture to tough evaluations which critique their dance, vocal, and performance abilities.

During their evaluation with Hee Jun, Reese is once again given the result of best singer and dancer for this particular performance. Whilst the rest of the group receive feedback on their live vocals. Undoubtedly, there’s also funny moments that have created pretty iconic memories now. Like the group accidentally singing ‘Sober’ instead of ‘Solar’. Or the endless laps of ultra-slow go-karting. Both clips have certainly done their rounds on social media.