Lionel Richie Says He’s ‘Hyped’ to Launch New TV Series Featuring Music ‘Idols’

As music legend Lionel Richie heads into his eighth season as a judge on “American Idol,” he’s set his sights on creating another TV competition featuring global music “idols.” Richie, 75, is an executive producer of “K-Popped,” per UPI, an eight-episode series coming to Apple TV+.

On February 7, 2025, Richie shared his excitement about the show on Instagram, writing, “BIG NEWS 🔥 As an executive producer, I’m hyped to finally share what we’ve been working on. Get ready for KPOPPED —a brand-new series coming to @appletv where K-pop stars team up with global music icons for an electrifying showdown, straight from the heart of Seoul!”

Lionel Richie Calls First ‘KPopped’ Stars a ‘Powerhouse Duo’

K-pop or Korean pop — a globally popular genre that NPR describes as “music that is fun and meant to elicit joy when listened to and seen” noting that K-pop is “designed to be enjoyed visually as much, if not more, than it is meant to be heard,” with bright colors, eye-popping costumes and choreographed dance moves.

In “KPopped,” according to Deadline, “Western music icons” will “rework one of their biggest hits” by teaming up with “top-tier K-pop idols.” They’ll then compete in battle performances in front of a live Seoul-based audience that will pick the winner of the best new song. 

“We’re starting with a powerhouse duo,” Richie wrote of the first two stars named: South Korean pop star Psy, who scored a global hit in 2012 with “Gangnam Style,” and Grammy winner Megan Thee Stallion, who also serves as an executive producer and posted her colorful “KPopped” performance outfit on Instagram.

Richie added, “Who’s next?! Drop your dream collabs in the comments!”

Though many of his followers applauded the news, few suggested stars to feature on the show. But one person suggested his fellow “Idol” judge, writing, “You know there needs to be a KPop showdown that involves @lukebryan it would be epic”

Lionel Richie is Currently Filming Season 23 of ‘American Idol’

Apple TV+ hasn’t announced when “KPopped” will debut. Before it does, Richie has another show to put his energy into, with “Idol” set to premiere on ABC on March 9.

He and his fellow judges, Bryan and first-time judge Carrie Underwood are in Hawaii this month to critique contestants’ performances as they perform for a live audience at Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa.

The “Idol” social media team posted a photo on February 7 of the judges and host Ryan Seacrest, alerting fans that they were heading back to Aulani for season 23, which has become a tradition each year.

Filming is expected to take place from February 6 – 13, according to Reel News Hawaii. No word on if Jelly Roll, who was just named the show’s first artist-in-residence, will be in Hawaii mentoring contestants as he was during season 22.