Anderson .Paak on His Directing Debut K-Pops!

Variety

by Kennedy French

February 25, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Anderson .Paak, the nine-time Grammy-winning artist, has made his debut as a director with *K-Pops!*, a family comedy that also serves as a heartwarming exploration of fatherhood and cultural identity. Starring alongside his real-life son, Soul Rasheed, the film follows BJ, an L.A.-based musician who discovers he has a teenage son competing in a K-pop talent show in Seoul. The idea for the movie came to .Paak during the pandemic when he was spending more time with his young son, who was obsessed with K-pop and YouTube. This inspired him to create a story that would not only entertain but also highlight Black families and joy on screen. Despite the challenges of directing, .Paak called the experience “creative bliss” and hinted at possibly doing it again. The film’s cultural significance is evident in its blend of Black culture and K-pop, which resonates with both fans of hip-hop and those of Korean music. Rasheed, making his acting debut, felt the role came naturally, given his close relationship with his father. .Paak also emphasized the importance of representation, stating that he wanted to show a side of Black families rarely seen in movies. The film’s soundtrack is highly anticipated, promising collaborations with K-pop artists and further cementing its cultural crossover appeal. For entertainment enthusiasts, *K-Pops!* offers a fresh

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Originally published on Variety on 2/25/2026