A U.S. university is set to offer a new course dedicated to K-pop icon G-Dragon, underscoring the artist’s expanding global cultural influence.
The University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles announced on its official social media channels on December 4 that it will introduce a new course centered on G-Dragon for the upcoming spring semester.
The move comes amid a growing trend in American higher education to spotlight artists who shape global cultural phenomena. Harvard University introduced a course on Taylor Swift last year, and Yale University plans to launch a Beyoncé course next year.
USC’s new class marks the first time a four-credit academic course in the United States will focus on a K-pop artist. The university described G-Dragon as a “multi-artist” who has “redefined the possibilities of K-pop.”
The course, titled 'A Crooked Study of K-pop: The Case of G-Dragon,' will be led by renowned Korean media studies scholar Professor Lee Hye Jin. It aims to examine G-Dragon’s artistry and cultural impact in depth.
Using G-Dragon as a focal point, the course will also offer a critical re-evaluation of how K-pop is perceived globally. In particular, it will address lingering misconceptions that K-pop lacks artistic autonomy and is primarily commercial in nature.
Choi Yong Ho, CEO of Galaxy Corporation, noted the significance of the timing: “This is especially meaningful as it coincides with the 20th anniversary of G-Dragon’s debut. We will continue to promote his value worldwide and contribute to the growth of Hallyu.”
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