G-Dragon Becomes Subject of First K-Pop Course at USC Annenberg

G-Dragon has become the subject of the first-ever 4-credit K-pop course in the United States.

On the 5th, G-Dragon's agency, Galaxy Corporation, announced that a course centered on G-Dragon has been established at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, renowned for its top-tier communication program. They added, "This is the first time a regular 4-credit course has been created for a solo K-pop artist."

The course announcement on USC Annenberg's official Instagram has generated significant buzz. The Instagram feed featured hashtags '#GDRAGON' and '#GD' along with a video of students expressing their excitement for the course, further heightening interest as G-Dragon's account was tagged at the end of the video.

Similar to courses on Beyoncé at Yale and Taylor Swift at Harvard, the establishment of the G-Dragon course at USC is seen as an academic acknowledgment of his influence on K-pop culture and industry. G-Dragon has consistently been recognized as a trendsetter and a key driver in elevating the status of K-pop.

The course, titled 'COMM 400: Crooked Studies of K-pop: The Case of G-Dragon,' will be taught by Professor Hye Jin Lee in the spring semester of 2026. It aims to provide a deep reinterpretation of K-pop, often viewed through a mechanical and commercial lens, by focusing on G-Dragon's role at the forefront of historical and artistic innovation. The course will critically explore the structure and aesthetics of K-pop, emphasizing G-Dragon's influence as a 'producer idol' across music, fashion, and culture.

Yongho Choi, CEO of Galaxy Corporation, stated, "The establishment of the first regular K-pop credit course at the prestigious USC in celebration of G-Dragon's 20th debut anniversary is highly significant." He added, "We aim to further promote G-Dragon's value worldwide and expand the realm of K-culture through this opportunity."

Reporter Jiye Choi, TenAsia wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr