In his directorial debut, 9x Grammy winner Anderson .Paak goes on an international journey of family, fatherhood and cultural music in “K-POPS!“
Anderson .Paak is no stranger to creating musical harmony between cultures, and “K-POPS!” is a clear extension of that sensibility. Known for his talents as a singer, rapper, drummer and producer, the artist now steps behind the camera to capture a story that relishes in music’s universal connective power.
“K-POPS!” follows BJ (.Paak), a washed-up musician who strives to revive his career by joining an in-house band in a K-Pop competition show set in South Korea. When he discovers his long-lost son, Tae Young (Soul Rasheed), is a contestant, BJ sets out to capitalize on the moment, while also attempting to repair their fractured relationship. In an exclusive interview with The Knockturnal, .Paak discusses the cultural messages he wanted to explore in the film, especially with his own son portraying Tae Young.
The film is packed with cameos spanning K-pop and beyond, with appearances by Earth, Wind & Fire, Jessi, Vernon of SEVENTEEN, Jay Park, G-Dragon and more. Additionally, “KPop Demon Hunters” star Kevin Woo stars as Kang, the polished K-pop idol rivaling Tae Young’s group on the show. Rounded out by roles from Jee Young Han as Yeji, Tae Young’s mother and BJ’s love interest, and Cathy Shim as Diamond, the show’s formidable host, the film succeeds through its clever humor, musical storytelling and heartfelt family narritave.
“K-POPS!” earnestly captures the spirit of K-pop while also remaining unafraid to engage in larger conversations, like the continuing influence of Black artistry across all global genres today. Even with its kooky humor and crude jokes, the film is a sincere love letter to music and cultural intersectionality, and its infectious soundtrack will certainly have audiences dancing in their seats.
“K-POPS!” releases in theaters Feb. 27.
