Under My Skin

***Under My Skin*** is a British-Japanese comedy-horror idol anime series created, written and directed by Jay Stevenson and produced by J-Animations. The series aired from July 2033 to December 2037 on TV Tokyo in Japan, Mnet in South Korea, and Disney+ internationally. The series spanned 5 seasons and 130 episodes, airing on Tuesdays. The series has since been collected into 13 Blu-ray volumes.

The series follows Kaori Miyazuki, a Japanese high-schooler who is an obsessive fan of the Korean pop girl group 42ND STREET, who subsequently disband after a tumultuous, scandal-ridden 8-year career, causing Kaori's mental state to spiral. Kaori's father, an outcast scientist, successfully creates a time machine which Kaori uses to return to the month preceding 42ND STREET's debut, and accidentally runs over her favourite member, also named Kaori, after stealing a car that she doesn't know how to drive in an attempt to visit the group's headquarters in Seoul. Realising 42ND STREET cannot debut without Kaori, which would create a paradox, Kaori skins the idol and subsequently hides in her body and assumes her identity, with her sights set on changing history and making 42ND STREET a successful group by any means necessary. Whilst initially trying to simply improve the group's moral and friendships, Kaori resorts to murdering any obstacles in her way to get 42ND STREET to the top.

By 2031, J-Animations' flagship series *Omega-Beta* and *Horizons* were both concluding, thus Jay Stevenson created two new flagship series with intention of making them polar opposite. Along with *The Undergrad*, *Under My Skin* began development in 2032. The series features Wendee Lee as Kaori, as well as featuring an extensive voice cast of real Korean pop idols who play themselves in the series, notably Karina of aespa, Yeji of ITZY, Wonyoung and Yujin of IVE, Bang Chan and Seungmin of Stray Kids, Lily of NMIXX, Jungwon of ENHYPEN, and Doyoung and Haechan of NCT. Many idols requested to make appearances in the series. The series takes place in the early to mid 2020s, to ensure that South Korean entertainment companies would not see the series as a means to promote new songs.

*Under My Skin* has received positive reviews throughout its run. Critics have praised the series' fluid animation and unique art direction, blend of humour and action, original soundtrack, and its portrayal of the Korean music industry. The choice to feature a cast mostly based on real-life idols was criticised, as were some plot elements. Character development was also an initial criticism of the series, though this improved as the show went on. The series' ambition has been highlighted by multiple critics as a show that "attempts to make you laugh, cry and tremble with fear", all whilst handling elements of time travel, and tackling social commentary surrounding societal pressures in South Korea. Whilst some have commented that the series spread itself too thin, most have enjoyed the show's unique concept and presentation.

The series was a ratings success in Japan and South Korea, and also found immense popularity abroad. The series won "Best New Series" at the 2033 International Anime Awards, and went on to be nominated for Anime of the Year for the remainder of its airing. The series' fictional group "42ND STREET" has had their original songs covered by a variety of Korean pop groups, including aespa, ITZY, Stray Kids and Enhypen.