Netflix Secures Anderson .Paak’s Directorial Debut K-POPS!
Anderson .Paak is officially bringing his vibrant cinematic vision to the small screen, with Netflix confirming that his directorial debut, K-POPS!, will be available for global streaming on 30 May 2026. This announcement arrives as the crowning achievement in a massive year for the nine-time Grammy winner, who was recently honoured on the 2026 TIME100 list. The project is a deeply personal family affair, starring .Paak alongside his real-life son, Soul Rasheed, and has already secured a Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes following a wave of critical acclaim from major international outlets.
The journey of the film began during the global pandemic when .Paak sought a way to bond with his son by leaning into the boy’s fascination with K-pop and YouTube. This creative spark evolved into a narrative rooted in .Paak’s own musical history and personal reflections on fatherhood. Before landing its Netflix debut, the film built significant momentum on the festival circuit, originally premiering as a Special Presentation at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2024 and later making its United States debut at the Tribeca Festival in 2025. After a successful theatrical run in February 2026, the story is now ready to reach a broader audience.
The plot centres on a washed-up musician who heads to Seoul to write for a K-pop competition, only to find himself face-to-face with a long-lost son who is competing for stardom. This premise allows for a high-energy exploration of ambition and second chances, supported by a cast that includes Yvette Nicole Brown, Jee Young Han, and Jonnie ‘Dumbfoundead’ Park. The production is further bolstered by an eclectic mix of cameos from the likes of Diplo, Jaden Smith, and Vernon of SEVENTEEN, all set to an original score composed by .Paak and legendary producer Dem Jointz. What started as a simple father-son bonding exercise has ultimately transformed into a cultural bridge that celebrates the universal language of music.
