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Anderson .Paak on representing Korean culture in comic film K-Pops, and directing his son

The musician shares what he learned about his Korean roots directing his first film, and how his son’s YouTube skits earned him a role in it

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American musician and director Anderson .Paak at the world premiere of K-Pops, the comedy he directed, produced and acted in, at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. He talks about exploring the history of K-pop, and why the project was about spending time with his son. Photo: AFP

Between Las Vegas residencies, Super Bowl halftime gigs and countless collaborations, Anderson .Paak has directed the music videos of Leon Bridges, H.E.R. and Hailee Steinfeld.

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Now, at 38, the California-born musician is making his feature directorial debut with K-Pops, in which he plays BJ, “the biggest undiscovered drummer frontman since Phil Collins”.

When BJ joins the house band of an idol competition series in Seoul, South Korea, he discovers that his long-lost son is one of its contestants.

The eight-time Grammy winner – who is of black and Korean heritage – co-wrote and produced the feelgood family comedy, which also stars Yvette Nicole Brown, Jonathan “Dumbfoundead” Park, Jee Young Han, Kevin Woo, Cathy Shim and .Paak’s son Soul Rasheed.
.Paak performs in Toronto, Canada, in September 2024. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
.Paak performs in Toronto, Canada, in September 2024. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

Here the first-time filmmaker talks about representing K-pop properly on-screen and sharing scenes with his son.

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