G-Dragon 'sample research', bold step, what do students learn?

The Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism (University of Southern California – USC) is preparing to include in the main curriculum a special subject: in-depth research on G-Dragon. The information was announced by Galaxy Corporation – the artist's management unit on December 5.

The course, titled "COMM 400: Non-Standard Research in Kpop: The G-Dragon Case", will be taught in the next spring semester, and is led by Professor Lee Hye Jin. This is a four-credit course, focusing on analyzing G-Dragon's creative influence, art style, and position in the Korean music flow.

The management unit said that the inclusion of G-Dragon by a top school like USC in the main curriculum shows the recognition of the cultural and industrial values that the male artist has created for nearly two decades.

The reason why G-Dragon "caught the eye" of the world

G-Dragon ( Kwon Ji Yong , 38 years old) is called the "king of Kpop" by experts thanks to his ability to compose, produce and shape trends. He became a trainee at the age of 5, debuted at the age of 13, and then held the role of leader of Big Bang for nearly 20 years.

Many scholars believe that G-Dragon is the one who paved the way for the generation of self-produced idols, daring to express their personal identity in solo albums. "Non-standard style", "constantly challenging limits", "creating your own school" are phrases often associated with his name.

G-Dragon's music blends hip-hop, rock, electronic, R&B with introspective and rebellious nuances. Hits such as: Lies, Haru Haru, Fantastic Baby or Bang Bang Bang ,... According to JoongAng Ilbo, it is G-Dragon who "pulls idols out of the framework of idol singers", turning them into true artists.

Stage attraction is still difficult for anyone to overcome

G-Dragon continuously proves its influence with stages that attract tens of thousands of people. Although he has experienced many upheavals such as enlistment, leaving YG Entertainment or being entangled in the noise of banned substances, he still maintains his attraction. Researchers consider G-Dragon to be a rare case of being both good at her profession and creating a unique cultural brand.

Not only music, G-Dragon also "dominates" fashion

Vogue Korea called G-Dragon the "king of Kpop fashion" thanks to his ability to break gender boundaries, constantly create trends and strongly influence the style of young Asians.

He is a familiar face in the front row of many large runways, favored by many fashion houses. W Korea described G-Dragon as "an icon that pushes all boundaries," from his performance style, hairstyle, costumes to the spirit of self-expression.

What it means when USC includes G-Dragon in the curriculum

According to a representative of Galaxy Corporation, the fact that Korean artists have their own subjects at American universities shows that the influence of K-pop has gone beyond entertainment music, becoming a serious research material in international academics. Many people liken this subject to Beyoncé studies at Yale University or Taylor Swift at Harvard University, cultural icons who have a great impact on society.

"COMM 400" is expected to open up new discourses around Korean pop culture, the globalization of K-pop, and how an individual like G-Dragon can shape styles, trends, and even artist standards in today's era.

USC Annenberg – where the course is implemented

The USC Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism was established in 1971 and is among the top U.S. institutions in media, journalism, public relations, and digital media studies.

The university currently has about 2,300 students, owns a system of modern labs, a practical curriculum and a deep network of cooperation with many major media companies. Annenberg is considered the "cradle" of many influential journalists, media experts and scholars in the United States.

G-Dragon releases new album: A turning point to save his career or a long slide? An Thảo17:22:38 30/09/2025G-Dragon is a pioneer who has always set new standards for the Hallyu wave. Even though he has been active for more than 15 years, he still maintains his strong appeal and is writing a new chapter in his career.