9 Times K-Pop Made A Cameo On U.S. TV And Film

Aug 20, 2019

Nowadays, K-pop is spreading worldwide at jaw-dropping speed. We went from hunting down Hallyu content online to keep up with our favorite idols, to having them pop in U.S. cinematic works as part of an OST or as cameos (either actual or a representative).

Here are nine times U.S. productions made our day by giving K-pop a nod on both the big and small screens!

1. “The Wonder Girls” movie featuring Wonder Girls

The first entry on our list is technically more than just a simple cameo: it’s an entire production dedicated to JYP Entertainment’s girl group Wonder Girls. Starring Yenny, Yubin, Sohee, Sun, Lim, and Park Jin Young, this TeenNick movie introduces the five members as they’re preparing for their U.S. tour. Mischief, rebellion, and dedication accompany the girls in their exciting journey. If you haven’t yet, watch the movie down below!

2. “Glee” featuring BIGBANG and PSY

This Thanksgiving episode of “Glee” was one more thing to be thankful for upon its release, as both BIGBANG’s and PSY’s music were played on the show. While “Fantastic Baby” can be heard playing in the background during a rehearsal, “Gangnam Style” served as the centerpiece of the sectionals performance.

3. “The Bachelor” featuring 2NE1

The 18th season of “The Bachelor” had a beautiful surprise for 2NE1 fans! Juan Pablo Galavis, the season’s bachelor and some of the female contestants were taught the choreography for “I Am The Best” by none other than CL, Minzy, Dara, and Bom during their visit to Korea. They later performed the song together at the quartet’s concert in Time Square Mall in Seoul.

4. “America’s Next Top Model” featuring BTOB, Jay Park, and 2NE1

Another U.S. TV show guest-starring our favorite K-pop artists was “America’s Next Top Model” presented by longtime host Tyra Banks during their stop in Seoul.

Jay Park appeared for a very brief moment where he announced one of the challenges’ prizes to the models.

BTOB taught the models their “Beep Beep” choreography and later sat through a different challenge as honorary judges where the contestants were supposed to do a photoshoot while fashionably enacting the dance.

2NE1 met the models backstage prior to the group’s performance of “Crush” on the runway.

5. “Family Guy” featuring SISTAR, HyunA, and more

The animated sitcom, widely known for its satirical humor, paid tribute to K-pop during a Korea-centered episode. SISTAR’s “Touch My Body” could be seen on TV twice, and a whole parody song was based on HyunA’s “Bubble Pop” with a fair share of K-pop easter eggs hinting at KARA, U-KISS, f(x), Crayon Pop, and EXO. Have fun finding the respective scenes, and if you fail to do so, you can find them here.

6. “Justice League” featuring BLACKPINK

BLACKPINK is in the Justice League’s area, and more specifically The Flash’s den! BLACKPINK’s “As If It’s Your Last” MV could be seen on one of his computer screens during his conversation with Batman. What makes this even more exciting is the fact that Ezra Miller, the actor who plays the Flash, happens to be a certified Blink!

7. “NCIS: New Orleans” featuring NCT Dream

To say that this specific mention was a total surprise is an understatement. During a scene where a student is being interviewed by two special agents, one of them suddenly asks her who’s best between Renjun, Jeno, and Chenle. The student answers with a sassy tone “None of them. It’s Mark, obviously.” The four mentioned members are part of NCT Dream.

8. “The Simpsons” featuring BTS

BTS and ARMY were given a quick but memorable shout-out on an episode of “The Simpsons” that was set in Korea. During the episode, the Simpsons family is walking past a first sign that reads “BTS here today!” while a second sign says, “Recruitment center for BTS ARMY.”

9. “We Bare Bears” featuring MONSTA X

In response to a fan’s tweet, Daniel Chong reached out to MONSTA X to make a special appearance as their animated selves on the Emmy-nominated show. In this episode, Grizz and Ice Bear team up to help Panda (who is a huge fan) meet the K-pop group for his birthday.