A2K (an abbreviation of America2Korea) is an American reality competition show that aired between July 14 and September 22, 2023 on YouTube. The series was a joint project between JYP Entertainment and Republic Records. The goal of the series was to create the first American girl group using the rigorous K-pop training system.
The series revolved around JYP Entertainment founder Park Jin-young as he picked members for an American girl group from the United States and Canada through an evaluation process.
The winning contestants from A2K went on to form the girl group VCHA.
On June 29, 2023, A2K was announced to be broadcast digitally through JYP Entertainment's YouTube channel from July 13, 2023, with new episodes being released on Mondays and Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. (PT) or 9:00 p.m. (ET). The series finale officially aired on September 22, 2023 at 6PM PT.
Background
Following Republic and JYP's initial strategic partnership in 2020 with Twice, the collaboration was extended on February 10, 2022, to include JYP groups such Stray Kids and Itzy as part of the alliance.
On March 15, 2022, JYP Entertainment officially launched their North American label, JYP USA, following its expanded strategic collaboration with Republic Records.
On July 25, 2022, both J.Y. Park and the CEO of Republic Records, Monte Lipman made an official announcement in a virtual press video that was released via JYP Entertainment's YouTube channel. It was revealed at the end of the video that parents could submit the application on behalf of their child(ren). Five contestants from each audition city were selected to move on to the live audition stage. Contestants from the United States and Canada who were born between January 1, 2005, and September 1, 2010, were eligible to submit their applications to attend the audition in one of the five US cities that were held in September 2022. CitySubmission DeadlineIn-Person AuditionAtlantaSeptember 3, 2022September 10, 2022ChicagoSeptember 7, 2022September 14, 2022New York CitySeptember 10, 2022September 17–18, 2022DallasSeptember 13, 2022September 20, 2022Los AngelesSeptember 16, 2022September 23–25, 2022
Episodes
Contestants
Name Birth Date (Age) ResidenceStageFullCristinaCristina Lopez SandifordAtlanta, Georgia, U.S.MelissaMelissa KadasBrampton, Ontario, CanadaLexusLexus VangMilwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.SavannaSavanna CollinsFort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.KayleeKaylee LeePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.CamilaCamila Ribeaux ValdesMontreal, Quebec, CanadaKendallKendall EbelingFort Worth, Texas, U.S.KGKG Crown(Kiera Grace Madder)Los Angeles, California, U.S.YunaYuna GonzalezCalifornia, U.S.GinaGina De Bosschère MischaMischa SalkinFlorida, U.S.
Summary Color key
Phase 3 Outcome Overall OverallLexusKGCamilaSavannaKayleeKendallCristinacolspan="2" Ginacolspan="2" Yunacolspan="4" Melissacolspan="6" Mischacolspan="6"
Showcase
Team Original artist(s) Song Contestants Team A Wonder Girls "Be My Baby"CamilaKGCristina Team B ITZY "Wannabe"KendallKayleeSavannaMischa Team C TWICE "The Feels"MelissaLexusYunaGina
Team Battle Color key
Team Result Original artist(s) Song Contestants Marteami 3rd place TWICE "Alcohol-Free"LexusKendallYuna Back Dawgz 2nd place Stray Kids "Back Door"CamilaGinaCristina SP3KTRUM Won NMIXX "Love Me Like This"KGSavannaKaylee
Final mission
Round 1 Individual song Team Result Original artist(s) Song Contestants TOPIC Won Original Song (Produced by JYP & David Stewart) "Know Me Like That"GinaLexusSavannaCamila Clover Lost Original Song (Produced by JYP & Space Primates) "Go Getter"KayleeKendallKGCristina
Round 2 Common Song Color key
Team Result Original artist(s) Song Contestants Clover Lost Original Song (Produced by JYP & Cirkut) "Y.O.Universe"KayleeKendallKGCristina TOPIC WonGinaLexusSavannaCamila
Notes
See also Vcha Park Jin-young JYP Entertainment Republic Records
References
External links