Arzen Rose Dulzura

University of Southern California to offer course about G-Dragon in Spring 2026

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>K-pop icon G-Dragon is set to become the center of an academic course at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, his agency Galaxy Corporation has confirmed.</p><p>To be offered in 2026, the four-credit course will focus solely on the BIGBANG member’s legacy and influence in the K-pop industry.</p><p>“A four-credit course dedicated solely to a K-pop artist is being offered for the first time at the University of Southern California’s (USC) Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism,” the company said as reported by Korea JoongAng Daily.</p><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-4" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DR4H5jij_QT/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A200918.69999992847%2C%22ls%22%3A161979.39999997616%2C%22le%22%3A162189.39999997616%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="889" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-4" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>According to The Korea Times, the class joins a growing list of pop culture-themed courses offered by top universities, similar to Yale University’s course on Beyoncé and Harvard University’s course on Taylor Swift.</p><p>“Like Yale University’s course on Beyoncé and Harvard University’s course on Taylor Swift, USC’s decision to open a class on G-Dragon is seen as academia’s formal recognition of K-pop as a global cultural phenomenon and of the industrial and cultural value carried by the so-called G-Dragon universe,” they added.</p><p>This marks the first time USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism (ASCJ) will dedicate an entire credit-bearing class to a single K-pop artist. </p><p>Scheduled for the Spring 2026 semester, the course will be titled “COMM 400: Crooked Studies of K-pop: The Case of G-Dragon.” It will be taught by Professor Lee Hye-jin of the USC ASCJ.</p><p>“It is deeply meaningful that, on the 20th anniversary of G-Dragon’s debut, a prestigious university like USC is offering the first for-credit course in K-pop to explore his cultural impact,” Galaxy Corporation CEO Choi Yong-ho said.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DODy_LzDfbN/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A179543%2C%22ls%22%3A161979.39999997616%2C%22le%22%3A162189.39999997616%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="857" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>He went on, “This will reaffirm the artistic depth and global influence of K-pop, and we will continue to promote G-Dragon’s unique value to audiences worldwide and expand the horizons of K-culture.”</p><p>According to Kbizoom, the course will cover topics such as the: “(a) Debates surrounding commercialism vs. artistic autonomy in K-pop; (b) G-Dragon’s creative process, musical identity, and visual culture; (c) His influence on global pop trends, fandom dynamics, and industry practices; andd) Broader cultural interpretations of K-pop’s structure and symbolism.”</p><p>Before the official announcement, USC Annenberg posted a video teasing the course, calling G-Dragon “one of K-pop’s most groundbreaking figures.”</p><p>“How does K-pop challenge the way we think about creativity, authenticity, and culture? This spring, dive into the genre through a new #ASCJ course on one of its most groundbreaking figures: G-Dragon, the producer-idol and multi-hyphenate artist who helped define what K-pop can be,” said in the post.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DR0Z75WEpJC/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A162244.59999990463%2C%22ls%22%3A161979.39999997616%2C%22le%22%3A162189.39999997616%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="847" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong> </strong></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/12/1/g-dragon-donates-79-8-million-to-hong-kong-fire-victims-1904"><strong><u>READ: G-Dragon donates ₱79.8 million to Hong Kong fire victims, dedicates MAMA Awards speech to the tragedy</u></strong></a></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>News of the course quickly spread among global fans, many of whom expressed hopes that USC will open slots for international enrollees or offer the class online.</p><p>“Can this university open this class to all of the world/global fans??????? Or provide an online course?? I am Korean and also a huge G-DRAGON fan!!!! I am currently enrolled at Seoul National University,” a fan commented. “I think not only me, but also other worldwide fans really want to take this course !!!!! please make this course public goods Professor 🙏🏻 🙏🏻🙏🏻.”</p><p>Another one expressed, “So proud of @xxxibgdrgn ! His phenomenon really needs to be studied ✍🏻.”</p><p>Last May, G-Dragon returned to the Philippines for his &quot;Ubermensch&quot; world tour, eight years after his last visit.</p>

<p>Like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, a course focusing on G-Dragon’s impact on the K-pop industry will be offered to students at USC next year.</p>

Like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, a course focusing on G-Dragon’s impact on the K-pop industry will be offered to students at USC next year.