Remember the catchy pop anthems of the 2010s? Well, Savan Kotecha, the mastermind behind hits for One Direction and Ariana Grande, gave some tunes a fresh spin. In his latest project, The Idea of You, he did the same by bringing back the world of boy band. Drawing inspiration from the massive success of K-Pop superstars BTS, Kotecha’s work on the film revived that catchy pop vibe with a modern edge.
The Idea of You tells the story of Hayes Campbell, a 24-year-old boy band singer (played by Nicholas Galitzine), as he deals with the challenges of fame and tries to express himself creatively. The movie centers around a 40-year-old single mother (played by Anne Hathaway) finding love with Campbell.
Nicholas Galitzine Drew Inspiration from BTS for His Role in The Idea of You
Nicholas Galitzine himself studied under BTS‘ vocal coach, Eric Vetro, and cites the K-Pop group as a major inspiration. Even though the British star admitted how hard it was to master their dance moves in just three weeks, he still wanted to capture their stage presence in his portrayal of Hayes. The actor told Variety:
“Watching how BTS commands a space as a group helped me in establishing a simpatico between myself and the four lads, how we interact with each other on stage. But they’re incredible artists… to be fair, I had three weeks before starting, so there was no way I was going to get to BTS level.”
The Idea of You isn’t just about catchy songs – it goes deeper into the world of pop groups. The movie shows how young artists feel pressure to keep up an image while wanting to express themselves.
The music featured in the movie reflects this mix of pressures. It includes pop hits but also songs by well-known artists like St. Vincent and Fiona Apple. This eclectic mix caters to a wide audience — from classic boy band lovers to those who prefer alternative music.
The Famous Music Producer Channeled Boy Band Insights for the Film’s Music
Savan Kotecha, the film’s music producer, is a veteran of the industry, having worked with One Direction and Ariana Grande. When creating the music for the fictional band August Moon in the film, he took ideas from the real experiences of some famous groups.
Kotecha said how One Direction’s breakup influenced some parts of the story. But he cleared that the movie isn’t just a rehash of old stories. Instead, it takes inspiration from those experiences to show how a boy band grows artistically and deals with tough situations. The music producer knows boy bands often have their own sound, and he wanted The Idea of You to capture that.
The Idea of You debuted at South by Southwest on March 16, 2024, and Amazon MGM Studios released it as a Prime Video original film on May 2, 2024.
Frequently asked questions
What is The Idea of You about?
The Idea of You follows a 40-year-old single mother, played by Anne Hathaway, who falls for Hayes Campbell, a 24-year-old boy band member played by Nicholas Galitzine. The film explores their relationship alongside the pressures of fame that come with being in a globally popular boy band. Its fictional band, August Moon, was shaped partly by real dynamics seen in groups like BTS and One Direction, blending romance with music-industry commentary.
How did Nicholas Galitzine prepare to play a boy band member?
Nicholas Galitzine trained under vocal coach Eric Vetro, who has also worked with BTS, to prepare for his role as Hayes Campbell. He told Variety that watching how BTS commands a stage as a group helped him build chemistry with his onscreen bandmates. He noted he only had about three weeks to prepare and said reaching BTS-level stage presence in that time was not realistic.
Who produced the music for The Idea of You?
Savan Kotecha, a songwriter known for hits by One Direction and Ariana Grande, produced the music for the film’s fictional band, August Moon. He drew on real experiences from groups like One Direction, including their breakup, to inform the story without directly retelling it. The soundtrack also includes tracks from artists like St. Vincent and Fiona Apple alongside its original pop songs.
