Make It Pop

Make It Pop is an engaging teen dramedy – a unique blend of comedy and drama – that aired on Nickelodeon from 2015 to 2016. With a colorful display of music, friendship, dancing, and coming of age themes, the series offers an enthralling and invigorating experience, especially for the younger audience.

At its heart, Make It Pop revolves around the lives of three distinct, diverse, vibrant schoolgirls who each bring their individual dynamism to the show. These include the fashion diva Corki Chang, played by Erika Tham, the quirky DJ Jodi Mapa, portrayed by Louriza Tronco, and the outgoing and zestful musician, Sun-Hi Song, brought to life by Megan Lee. All three girls attend the fictitious Mackendrick Prep boarding school, each with their different aspirations, struggles, and storylines, yet connected by the invisible thread of friendship and shared endeavours.

Their shared journey beautifully unfolds when they fortuitously become roommates, and subsequently discover their shared love for music. From here, they embark on a journey, forming a band named XO-IQ and navigating their way through teenage life, juggling school, boys, music, dance rehearsals, and concerts. With the stages of Mackendrick Prep as their playground and their room as the backdrop for their heart-to-heart talks and music writing, the series provides a wide canvas for the girls' performances and growth.

The show doesn’t just focus on the lead trio, as another pivotal character of Caleb forms the fourth corner of this funky music square. Played by Dale Whibley, Caleb is a fellow student at Mackendrick Prep, a best friend, and an amateur DJ who assists with the band’s music and is the primary catalyst in the formation of the XO-IQ.

An emphasis on teamwork, mutual respect, and the importance of friendship are recurrent themes throughout the series. Moreover, the series also delivers on its promise of featuring lots of K-pop-inspired pop music. The music and dance numbers are vivacious and energetic, sure to capture the audience's attention, along with contributing significantly to the show's plotline.

Adding another dimension to the show, Make It Pop explores diverse cultural backgrounds, primarily through its Asian-American leads, offering viewers a refreshing platform for representation. It presents a multi-dimensional portrayal of its characters, each dealing with teenage issues, family pressures, creative blocks, relationship trials, and triumphs.

On top of all this, Make It Pop is also known for its visually appealing set design. Whether it's the vibrant boarding school, the edgy crowd-packed concerts, the lively dorm rooms or the polished school hallways, every setting gives the episodes their unique flavor and sets up an engaging world for the characters to interact in.

The series creators, Thomas W. Lynch and Nick Cannon, unmistakably grasped the pulse of their target audience offering a show that mixes the charm of high school dramas with the zest of pop music. The characters' journey through musical stardom, teenage life, friendship, and self-discovery stands at the heart of the narrative.

One cannot discuss Make It Pop without mentioning the offbeat humor that lends numerous comical streaks to leaven the drama. Equally heartwarming and hilarious, the series offers a plethora of laughs along with its share of emotional moments.

Alluring and fascinating, Make It Pop is a series full of charm, humor, energy, drama, with a hefty dose of infectious music that keeps viewers captivated from the beginning till the end. Through its two seasons, the show embraces the trials and triumphs of teenage life, the kind that resonate with its young audience and beyond, making it a much-loved addition to Nickelodeon's roster. With sparkling performances, relatable themes, attractive music, and evocative storytelling, Make It Pop certainly makes for an engaging watch.