Written by Nicole Cabrera

Warning: The following review is of a film that is part of TIFF 2024 and may contain spoilers for K-Pops!. Reader discretion is advised.

A musical phenomenon doesn't happen everyday, but it can be argued that K-Pop or Korean Pop has easily swept the globe and then some in the last couple of years; BTS, Black Pink, Red Velvet, Stray Kids — the list goes on and on. In his directorial debut K-Pops! Anderson .Paak does just that in this joyful comedy of finding family in unlikely places.

K-Pops! is the story of BJ (.Paak) as a washed up drummer with huge dreams, he yearns for the stage, the limelight and for that sweet, sweet seven minute drum solo. We follow his younger days at the height of his would-be popularity and the meet-cute that shapes his future with the fiery Yeji (Jee Young Han). As most meet-cutes go, BJ and Yeji are oil and water until they click over their love of music. Music is the glue that binds them together — yet, it's ironically the music that ultimately pushes them apart when BJ can’t let go of his past ambitions, leaving him and Yeji to go their separate ways.

BJ years later, is still hanging on to his dreams of fame by a thread till his mother (Yvette Nicole Brown) and best friend get him a job abroad drumming for the popular K-Pop idol show Wildcard. BJ reluctantly goes, but finds he has a good life there and he is good at his job — much to the chagrin of Diamond (Kathy Shim) — he has a chance to make it big if he can woo the popular idol wannabe Kang.Kang is everything an idol should be; handsome, good at dancing and singing, a sharp dresser and he makes the ladies swoon. The young idol seems like a surefire fit to win; until BJ meets TaeYoung (Soul Rasheed) — played by .Paak’s own son in real life — and his band of misfit contestants. Despite everything, BJ finds himself drawn to the charismatic young man and through getting to know him and later mentor him he finds out not only does Tae Young have talent, but is his son from that romance with Yeji long ago.

One of .Paak’s strengths in this film how genuine the relationships between characters feel, not only that of father and son learning about one another and hoping to become closer through various montages, concerts, costume changes, meals — and despite the abrupt arrival into each other's lives, their relationship blossoms. BJ’s relationship with TaeYoung’s friends also shines brightly as he exposes them to new music and dance styles and becomes an unknowing mentor figure to shyer contestants. Likewise, we also see the rekindling of the romance between BJ and Yeji as they fall in love all over again, and he must show Yeji that he’s not only fighting for her affection, but that of his new found son. BJ’s struggle comes with the decision that plagues many individuals entering the world of entertainment and fame — when given the chance to make his music dreams a reality what matters more success or family?

K-Pops! brings the film to a wholesome end with BJ choosing to put himself and his seven minute drum solo ego aside for his son. TaeYoung does not end up winning the K-Pop competition, though he puts on a hell of a show and .Paak’s musicality makes the performance portions true highlights of the film; TaeYoung does win something else though-a family and finally expressing the love everyone in their family didn’t know they wanted but needed. Paak’s as a first time filmmaker shines, the story is heartwarming if not predictable in a found family route; it follows the traditional plot points of boy meets girl → they fall in love → boy loses girl → circumstances bring them back together → the flame is reignited. But .Paak and his cast are overall so charming, it's easy to disregard that typical format.

Likewise, Paak’s control of visuals are remarkable, he makes South Korea pop (no pun intended) with colour, life and personality. The film is eye-catching especially with the spectacle level of K-Pop performances, it’s clear that .Paak has a love for the genre of music and an appreciation for K-Pop culture. As father and son, .Paak and Soul bring a tenderness to this oddball but wholesome film, about continue to drive the message of how one can find success in multiple ways — it doesn’t always means money and fame, but ultimately — it's about the love of the art, if you love what you do and who you do it with — all the better! We all need something that connects us like the sweet love of music that brings us together.

Nicole Cabrera is a Toronto-based film enjoyer with a passion for the eighties, horror, and deep diving their favourite actors’ obscure filmography. When they’re not watching movies, they're writing, crafting, cosplaying, going to concerts, working on their podcast (Hollywood Deepdive. )and dreaming of traveling.