Set against the vibrant and highly competitive world of K-pop, CBBC’s ‘Gangnam Project’ offers a coming-of-age story that blends music, identity, and cultural discovery. The dramedy follows Korean-Canadian teenager Hannah Shin as she unexpectedly finds herself navigating the demanding trainee system at a prestigious K-pop academy in Seoul, while also confronting deeper questions about belonging and self-identity.
In a conversation with Namaste Hallyu, Sarah Haasz spoke about the inspiration behind the series, the personal experiences that shaped Hannah’s journey, and the themes of identity and belonging that run through the show.
Namaste Hallyu: Can you tell us a bit about the main characters in Gangnam Project?
Sarah Haasz: Hannah is a Canadian Korean newcomer trying her hardest to be accepted into a culture that is a part of her but foreign to her at the same time. Her struggle is to prove that she belongs at OME and has earned her spot while not losing herself in the process.
Chan Mi is the leader who leads with perfection and pride, refusing help from anyone except the one person she loves. It’s the risk that could ruin her and the reason she survives it.
Mina is the confident visual who seems unshakeable, but past betrayals make her guard her heart. She fears letting people down, yet must learn that real strength comes from vulnerability, not control.
Sun Hee is the rapper. The disciplined rule-follower who believes success comes from doing everything right. Her struggle begins when she realizes rules don’t protect you from emotional risk.
Leo is the best dancer in the group. But becoming an OME trainee was never part of his plan. Intensely competitive, he keeps pushing forward without knowing why—is this his passion, or is he just trying to prove something? Maybe even to himself?
Supreme is a leader. The ambitious competitor who treats training like a battlefield, but his love for Chan Mi makes him vulnerable…so he thinks. He wants recognition, yet has to learn that connection matters more than ranking.
Rook is the rapper. His love for Korea extends past observation. He learned how to speak Korean and immersed himself in Korean culture. His challenge is finding the courage to step forward rather than staying safe in the background.
Auzzy loves being a part of a group and is the quietest member. He loves the behind-the-scenes moments, such as producing his own music and writing lyrics. His challenge is putting other people’s dreams before his own.
NH: ‘Gangnam Project’ explores themes of identity, belonging, acceptance, and discovering your truth. How do you believe the themes of identity and belonging resonate with today’s audience? Can you share specific moments from the show that encapsulate the journey of discovering one’s truth?
Sarah Haasz: I believe the themes we’re exploring are evergreen. They’ve always existed and always will. The difference now is visibility because today, these struggles play out in public and are amplified for more people to see and engage with.
For Hannah, her deepest sense of belonging is rooted in forming a connection with her haelmeoni (grandmother). Her family is her anchor, and from that foundation she builds her identity. That grounding gives her the confidence to both earn and offer respect and ultimately, to discover her own truth.
NH: The show revolves around the 16-year-old Korean-Canadian Hannah Shin. How does the setting contribute to Hannah’s story and character development?
Sarah Haasz: I drew on my own experience for Hannah. When I first visited Korea at sixteen, I assumed I would immediately belong and that I’d fit in simply because I looked Korean. Instead, I felt like a foreigner. I was born there, but I didn’t speak the language fluently, and the culture felt both familiar and distant at the same time. That feeling stayed with me. I believe lived experience is one of the most honest ways to tell a story. It roots the emotions in something real. It allowed us to shape Hannah from the inside out, guiding how she moves through Korea, her relationships, and ultimately how she understands herself. Fast forward many years, and I realized that the more time I spent in Korea and the more effort I took to learn the language and immerse myself in the culture, the more it felt like home to me.
NH: What was the inspiration behind ‘Gangnam Project’? What message does the show aim to convey to its audience?
Sarah Haasz: I’ve always wanted to tell my story growing up as a first-generation Korean Canadian and visiting Korea for the first time. I was born in Seoul, and I immigrated to Canada when I was 1. I couldn’t wait to visit Korea and connect with my “roots”, but when I landed and began to interact with people, I felt like a foreigner in my birth country. It shook an identity that I had always taken for granted. When I was younger, I thought acceptance was something I was owed—a kind of birthright. As I grew older (and, hopefully, wiser), I realized belonging isn’t given, it’s built. I had to learn the language, immerse myself, and actively rediscover the place I first called home. In doing so, I fell in love with it again — and now, it truly feels like home.
I don’t think there’s one single message that the show aims to convey to its audience, but an important message is that belonging isn’t measured by borders or defined by someone else’s expectations. It’s something you build, and you eventually call home.
NH: What was the process behind recording the songs for the show? Was there any inspiration from existing K-pop artists?
Sarah Haasz: We were incredibly blessed to have August Rigo work on the ‘Gangnam Project.’ With deep roots in K-pop writing camps, he has collaborated with global artists such as BTS, Jimin, TXT, SEVENTEEN, and NCT 127, among many others. For us, it was essential that the music authentically capture the emotional moments and key story beats of the series. That meant clearly communicating the narrative arcs and character journeys to the songwriter so the music and lyrics could truly reflect and elevate the story. When that alignment happens, the sound and the storytelling don’t just coexist—they harmonize.
NH: If ‘Gangnam Project’ had a Bollywood-style special episode, what would you love to see happen in it?
Sarah Haasz: Oh! So many ideas. I LOVE mixing any type of styles, and a Bollywood special would be a dream. Let’s see. It would be a giant festival performance or a musical. In K-dramas/K-pop, emotions tend to be restrained, but in Bollywood, emotions seem more outwardly expressed. Radi8 is on their way to Paris, they have a stopover in Delhi…only their flight gets cancelled for a few days and….(I’m already writing this).
NH: K-pop is known for its energetic and distinct dance styles and choreography. What was the process of incorporating this choreography into the show? Do you have any behind-the-scenes stories from the dance practice sessions?
Sarah Haasz: We had an amazing Canadian/Korean choreographer named Pyro. He’s the best. K-pop is about performance language. Choreography carries story, identity, marketing, and fan culture all at once. Pyro and his team worked closely with our writing team to convey emotions and storytelling through movement. We had a pretty tight schedule, so our cast worked hard in learning the choreography. Not too many behind-the-scenes stories from rehearsals. Our dancers were razor-focused and working hard!!!
NH: What was the biggest challenge or struggle you encountered while producing the show?
Sarah Haasz: I think the biggest challenge was time. There’s never enough of it. We had the best location at a college, so we didn’t have the place exclusively. There were still classes being held, so we had to work closely with the administration to coordinate schedules.
NH: India has a huge K-drama fanbase. If you could shoot a special episode of ‘Gangnam Project’ in India, where would you love to film, and why?
Sarah Haasz: Love that India has a huge K-drama fanbase!! It’d be amazing to film a special ‘Gangnam Project’ episode in Goa or Jaipur. Maybe Baga Beach? Marrying the fast-paced K-pop life with the energy and vibe of Baga Beach would be amazing to film, or can we collaborate with Superstar Singer? Such a fan!
NH: What’s a message you would like to share with Indian K-pop/K-drama fans?
Sarah Haasz: To our K-pop and K-drama fans in India…you guys are incredible! It’s wild and beautiful that our music and stories resonate with viewers worldwide. We hope to be able to share season 2 of ‘Gangnam Project’ with you soon!
With ‘Gangnam Project’, Sarah Haasz blends the energy of K-pop with a heartfelt coming-of-age story. Beyond the performances and trainee life, the series explores themes of identity, belonging, and the journey of discovering yourself.
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