Elite College To Offer Hands-On Experience Promoting Top K-Pop Group

K-Pop has officially entered schools! The University of Southern California (USC) has revealed that it will offer a unique elective course in Spring 2026 centered entirely on promoting the globally successful K-pop group i-dle (formerly known as (G)I-DLE) in the United States, making i-dle the first 4th generation K-pop group to become the main subject of a university class.

According to the official course description, students won’t just be learning about K-pop in theory. Instead, they’ll work directly with industry professionals to promote i-dle in the U.S. market, gaining real-world experience across multiple areas of global music marketing.

USC’s homepage.

The class will focus on fan engagement, market research, brand partnerships, and digital strategy, giving students hands-on exposure to how a K-pop act is positioned internationally. Students will also be tasked with creating professional-grade deliverables, designed to bridge culture, creativity, and global music marketing, essentially treating i-dle as a living case study.

Unlike traditional pop culture courses, this elective emphasizes practical industry skills, combining entertainment strategy with real-time execution. For students interested in music business, marketing, media, or global branding, the course is already being described as a rare, career-shaping opportunity with hands-on experience.

Many pointed out that while K-pop is often discussed academically, it’s almost unheard of for one active group to be the direct focus of an official U.S. university course. As K-pop continues to expand beyond charts and into classrooms, USC’s new elective highlights just how far the genre has come!

Previously, it was announced that a G-Dragon lecture would also be hosted by USC. Read more about it below!

University In The United States To Open “G-Dragon Lecture” — Why This Is Significant