Teaching With: ‘Crossing Cultures: Black K-Pop Fans in America’

“Crossing Cultures: Black K-Pop Fans in America” is the first “Daily 360” we’re featuring in our weekly Film Club. Every day The Times publishes a new 360 video, an immersive video that puts you at the center of the scene, allowing you to look left, right, up, down and behind you.

In this video, Times journalists at a BTS concert in Newark explore what draws so many black fans to Korean pop music. BTS is one of the most popular Korean pop bands in the world.

Students

1. Watch the three-minute film above. While you watch, you might take notes using our Film Club Double-Entry Journal (PDF) to help you remember specific moments.

2. After watching, think about these questions:

• What moments in this film stood out for you? Why?

• Were there any surprises? Anything that challenged what you know — or thought you knew?

This film shows how many African Americans like Korean pop. A lot of African Americans a like to attend the concerts of the Korean pop band...

What stood out most to me was when multiple people talked about how similar k-pop was to hip pop, and to be honest I don’t listen to k-pop,...

I have a couple of friends who are black who have been long-time fans of many K-Pop groups and artists. At first, I found this odd because...

• What messages, emotions or ideas will you take away from this film? Why?

• What questions do you still have?

3. Next, join the conversation by clicking on the comment button and posting in the box that opens on the right. (Students 13 and older are invited to comment, although teachers of younger students are welcome to post what their students have to say.)

4. After you have posted, try reading back to see what others have said, then respond to someone else by posting another comment. Use the “Reply” button or the @ symbol to address that student directly.

5. Then, let us know what you think of the 360 video experience. Would you like us to feature more 360 videos as part of our Film Club?