The Unexpected Bonding Experience of Anderson .Paak and His Son During a Pandemic
When the pandemic gripped the world, life as we knew it changed drastically. Grammy-winning artist Anderson .Paak found himself in an unanticipated position: on the outside looking in. In a recent interview with The Times at his West Hollywood lounge, Andy’s, he reminisced about a time when his son, Soul Rasheed, an 8-year-old K-pop enthusiast, turned their home into a “K-pop storm.”
K-Pop Takes Over
Before the pandemic, .Paak and Soul shared a love for the musician’s own music, bonding over rhythms and lyrics. However, as .Paak humorously noted, “BTS took over the whole house.” Soul, alongside his mother, Jaylyn Chang—who hails from Korea—fell under the spell of K-pop, mirroring the fervor reminiscent of Beatlemania. For .Paak, who has deep roots in American music, this cultural shift felt oddly isolating. He had to navigate a world where his usual musical influence was overshadowed by a new genre that had captivated his family.
The YouTuber Dream and Humorous Skits
Soul, like many kids his age, became enamored with the idea of becoming a YouTuber. Recognizing this as a potential avenue to bond with his son, .Paak tapped into their shared comedic interests. What began as simple, light-hearted skits soon merged with BTS dance routines, culminating in videos where they playfully challenged each other’s musical tastes.
“I loved it,” .Paak reflected, noting how these moments deepened their connection. As much as he was Anderson .Paak, the artist, he reveled in simply being “Dad.”
The Birth of a Film Concept
This exploration not only redefined their father-son relationship but also sparked an idea for a film centered around K-pop. As pandemic restrictions eventually eased, .Paak began directing various music videos, building his skills and eyeing the potential for a cinematic project. However, he sensed that Soul’s interest in K-pop—and the idea of starring in a film—was waning.
To reignite that flame, .Paak reached out to an old friend, Jonnie “Dumbfoundead” Park. Together, they pitched a compelling concept to Stampede Ventures, featuring a TikTok that captured the playful banter between .Paak and Soul about BET and BTS. “They understood it, the whole intergenerational, intercultural element,” Park noted.
Embracing Heritage Through Film
Being of mixed heritage—his mother was adopted from Korea by a Black-American family, while his father was also Black—.Paak had long faced the challenge of connecting with his Korean roots. The film “K-Pops!” offers him a chance to explore this identity through the narrative of his character, BJ, who embarks on a journey to Korea to participate in a K-pop competition.
The film’s plot thickens as BJ discovers he has a son competing in the same show. This parallel mirrors .Paak’s own experiences of discovering his Korean heritage. As he delves into the cultural dynamics presented in the film, viewers witness BJ’s evolution as he learns to embrace both his Blackness and his Korean roots.
Navigating Cultural Influences
For .Paak, the exploration of these cultural intersections is profound. He describes learning about Korean values of family and community from Chang, which significantly contrasts his earlier upbringing primarily in a Black cultural space. “There’s an infrastructure that’s worked out,” he explained, reflecting on how his mother’s experience in Korea shaped his understanding of family dynamics.
The inclusion of these multifaceted cultural elements in “K-Pops!” makes the film more than just entertainment; it’s a tribute to the rich tapestry of influences that have shaped both .Paak and his community.
Celebrating Intergenerational Legacy
As the production transitioned into filming, the project became a vehicle for shared experiences between .Paak and Soul. “K-Pops!” features appearances by esteemed Black artists such as Earth, Wind & Fire, alongside K-pop stars. The original musical score merges K-pop with soul and funk, enhancing the film’s cross-cultural theme.
While filming took place across Los Angeles and Korea, .Paak and Soul navigated their evolving relationship against the backdrop of creative work. Despite Soul’s evolving interests—claiming a newfound allegiance to bands like Slipknot—the pair found common ground.
The Premiere Experience
The journey culminated at the Toronto International Film Festival, where the premiere became a family affair. Surrounded by relatives from his mother’s side, Soul watched their shared story unfold on screen.
Reflecting on the premiere, .Paak felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. “Everybody really enjoyed it,” he shared, with a sigh of relief. His son’s acknowledgment of pride in his father’s work was a poignant moment, indicating that while the now-older Soul may not view acting as his path, the memories created during this process will resonate for a lifetime.
A New Chapter
With “K-Pops!” set for release in select theaters, the film not only marks a significant milestone in .Paak’s creative portfolio but also encapsulates a heartfelt exploration of identity, family, and the shared love of music that transcends boundaries.
