YouTuber Alan Chikin Chow Launches Scripted K-Pop Series with Netflix

Alan Chikin Chow Joins Netflix with New K-Pop Series

Alan Chikin Chow, a leading creator on YouTube Shorts, is set to make his debut on Netflix with a new scripted series centered around K-Pop. Chow, who has amassed over 99 million subscribers through his YouTube series Alan’s Universe, is collaborating with Hybe America, the U.S. division of the South Korean entertainment powerhouse behind the global sensation BTS.

This move represents a significant shift in the ongoing rivalry between YouTube and Netflix, with the streaming giant increasingly targeting successful YouTubers to broaden its content offerings. Over the past year, Netflix has engaged creators such as Ms. Rachel, Mark Rober, and The Sidemen, all of whom originated on YouTube.

Chow’s upcoming series will follow a group of aspiring pop idols who, despite being rejects at an arts academy, come together to form a co-ed band. The artists featured in the series will also release original music concurrently with its airing.

In addition to Chow, the project will see executive production from James Shin, President of Film and Television at Hybe America, and Jingu Jang, the President of Hybe America AU and former VP of BigHit Music.

Chow’s career began with small roles in series like Grey’s Anatomy, 13 Reasons Why, and Into The Dark before he gained prominence on YouTube. His high school drama, Alan’s Universe, has become particularly popular among audiences aged 7 to 14, with Chow averaging over 1 billion views monthly.

In July 2024, he signed with Creative Artists Agency and opened a 10,000-square-foot production studio in Burbank.

YouTube CEO Neal Mohan has praised Chow’s achievements, calling him a “powerful symbol of the broader shift happening in the entertainment industry.” This shift is one that Netflix aims to leverage as it competes for audience attention with YouTube.

In March, Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos described YouTube as a valuable platform for creators to hone their skills, referring to it as a “little bit of a farm league.” He stated, “There’s a whole bunch of creators that I would put in the pro-am category that are making really interesting, compelling programming to watch. But YouTube doesn’t give them any money up front to make it, so they’re doing it all at their own risk.”

Chow expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “Our groundbreaking project brings together extraordinary creative talent across Netflix and Hybe America to launch a pioneering new franchise for the next generation. Together with world-class teams who consistently shape culture on a global scale, our mission is to set a new standard for storytelling: designed to inspire creativity, spark joy, and impart timeless life lessons for audiences worldwide.”