The highly anticipated feature film ‘K-Pops’, which was partly filmed in AlUla, had its world premiere on 7th September at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). 

The heartwarming comedy-drama marks the directorial debut of Grammy-winning artist Anderson .Paak, and explores themes of family, fame, and the deep bonds of culture. Co-starring alongside his real-life son, Soul Rasheed, the film is inspired by .Paak's personal history and connection to Korea.

In ‘K-Pops’, .Paak plays BJ, a washed-up drummer who still has big dreams of music stardom. BJ’s journey takes him to South Korea, where he becomes a mentor to Tae Young (played by Rasheed), a rising star in a competitive pop idol show.

As BJ forms a bond with Tae Young, he discovers that the young performer is actually his son, born from a brief relationship with Tae Young’s mother. The film captures the father-son dynamic as BJ attempts to reconnect with his newfound family while balancing his desires for fame.

What sets ‘K-Pops’ apart is its stunning backdrops, including scenes filmed in the breathtaking setting of AlUla, which was scouted through Film AlUla, the film agency of the Royal Commission for AlUla. Known for its unique and cinematic terrain, AlUla has rapidly emerged as a prime location for international film productions. In 2023 alone, 123 projects were filmed in AlUla.

With its striking landscapes and world-class production facilities, AlUla has attracted a wide range of projects, including feature films, TV series, commercials, documentaries, and music videos. So far in 2024, AlUla has already hosted four commercials, 13 documentaries, six television shows and one music video.

As ‘K-Pops’ garners international attention with its premiere at TIFF, AlUla's role as one of the film’s locations highlights the beauty and potential of this extraordinary oasis city, which is just beginning to be uncovered by the film and TV world.

To learn more about Film AlUla, click here