If the internet has a capital city, Alan Chikin Chow already rules it. Now, the creative force behind Alan’s Universe is setting his sights on an even bigger frontier — building the next global pop sensation with Netflix and HYBE AMERICA.
Chow, currently the most-watched YouTube Shorts creator with a staggering 130 million followers, is partnering with Netflix and HYBE AMERICA, the U.S. arm of the global entertainment powerhouse behind BTS and KATSEYE, for an ambitious new scripted series. The project promises to blend viral storytelling, K-drama emotion, and real-world music stardom into one culture-shaping franchise.
The upcoming series follows a group of misfit aspiring idols — rejected and underestimated — who enroll in an arts academy. What begins as a gathering of outcasts soon becomes the formation of a co-ed pop band destined for greatness. But this isn’t just a fictional storyline: the emerging performers starring alongside Chow will release original music at the same time the series airs, effectively creating a real-life group in tandem with the show’s narrative.
With Chow’s deep understanding of internet storytelling and HYBE’s legendary K-pop training system, the project aims to replicate — and potentially redefine — the formula that launched BTS and other global chart-toppers. Chow will serve as executive producer alongside James Shin, President of Film and Television at HYBE AMERICA, and Jingu Jang, President of HYBE AMERICA AU and former Vice President of BIGHIT MUSIC.
Calling the project a groundbreaking collaboration, Chow shared that the mission goes far beyond entertainment. “Together with world-class teams who consistently shape culture on a global scale, our goal is to set a new standard for storytelling — designed to inspire creativity, spark joy, and impart timeless life lessons for audiences worldwide,” he said.
Chow’s rise to global influence has been nothing short of extraordinary. His high school anthology series Alan’s Universe has amassed nearly 100 million subscribers and over one billion monthly views. Recognized by Forbes Top Creators, TIME100 Creators, and The New York Times, Chow has quickly become a defining voice in internet-native entertainment. As a creator, actor, director, producer, and showrunner, he merges viral pacing with K-drama-style emotional storytelling — a formula that has captivated a generation.
HYBE AMERICA president James Shin describes the new franchise as a “culture-defining model” for how pop groups will be created in the future. “With a proven visionary like Alan at the forefront of the creator ecosystem, we’re setting out to produce a groundbreaking series that expands audiences, possibilities, and how fandom is built from day one,” Shin stated.
With Netflix distribution, HYBE’s music machine, and Chow’s viral reach, the next global pop phenomenon may already be in the making — and it’s happening inside Alan’s universe.