Hyung-Suk Kim

Biography

Hyung-Suk Kim is a prominent figure in the world of K-POP, widely known for his contributions as a composer and music producer. Born in 1966 in South Korea, Kim's influence in the industry is profound, earning him the title of a 'Guru' in the globalization of K-POP. Among the founders of the top four K-POP agencies, two were mentored by him: J.Y. Park of JYP Entertainment and Bang Si-Hyuk of HYBE, home to artists like BTS, TWICE, Stray Kids, and New Jeans. Kim debuted as a composer in 1989, achieving massive success with his lyrical songs for the legendary singer Kim Kwang-Seok, such as "To You" and "Because of Love." His career expanded beyond composing to producing, where he dominated the K-POP scene for over 20 years with ballads and dance tracks. His extensive collaborations include top artists like Lee Moon-Sae, Im Jae-Bum, Insooni, Shin Seung-Hun, and many more. Over his career, Kim has penned and composed more than 1,400 songs. Known for his innovative spirit, Kim has consistently pushed boundaries, blending K-POP with K-Drama and K-Film. He began this cross-genre exploration with the 2001 film "My Sassy Girl" and the 2003 drama "All In," creating iconic music that resonated across Asia, notably the song "I Believe." Kim is also dedicated to education, recognizing its vital role in sustaining K-POP. He established and led the Practical Music Department at Howon University, transforming it into a leading program within three years. His impact reached international levels with the creation of the 'Hyung-Suk Kim Class' at the Musicians Institute (MI) in the U.S., analysing his early K-POP compositions. Furthermore, he was featured in a K-POP documentary produced by Stanford University, highlighting his influential status. After his tenure in academia, Kim returned to the industry, continuing to innovate. He represented South Korean artists at the 2018 inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang and introduced the virtual singer #402 in 2022, expanding the horizons of K-POP. Kim believes the future of K-POP lies in IT integration and comprehensive education. To this end, he is working with soprano Sumi Jo to combine classical music with K-POP. Currently, Kim is collaborating with Disney on a musical project that blends Disney music with K-POP. He remains dedicated to 'sustainable K-POP' through education and has received numerous awards, including the Prime Minister's Award of South Korea.