South Korea on Music Theory Print

Ahn Eak-tai

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Ahn Eak-tai (; ; 5 December 1906 – 16 September 1965) was a Korean classical composer and conductor. He conducted numerous major orchestras across Europe, including the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Rome Philharmonic Orchestra. Nongae, now the capital of North Korea, on 5 December 1906, four years before Korea fell under Japanese rule in 1910. His family was a branch of the Ahn clan rooted in the region of Sunheung, part of Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. The clan is renowned for having produced influential Korean figures such as An Jung-geun and An Chang-ho in the period. Ahn Eak-tai was the third son of his father, Ahn Deok-hun () and mother, Kim Jeong-ok () Ahn Eak-tai had six siblings. His father, Ahn Deok-hun, ran a hotel business Ahn Eak-sam was well aware of his younger brother’s interest in music, and so bought him a Suzuki violin, a phonograph and records from Japan. Ahn Eak-tai started playing the violin and began to develop his musical talent early on. In 1918, he was admitted to the Pyongyang Soongsil Middle School, where he played in the school orchestra. introduced a music teacher at YMCA, Mr. Greg to him for a private c

Andrew Choi

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Andrew Choi (born December 25, 1980), is a South Korean singer and composer. He is best known for providing the singing voice for the character Jinu in the Netflix animation, KPop Demon Hunters (2025). He was previously known for working as a producer and composer under SM Entertainment and for finishing in third place on SBS’s K-pop Star 2. He released his first album, Love Was Enough on May 27, 2013. Background Choi was born in Busan on December 25, 1980, but grew up in the United States. He was five years old when his family moved to New Jersey. He was brought on board the KPop Demon Hunters project by Ejae and originally asked to sing as Romance or Mystery but eventually became the singing voice for the main male character, Jinu. - ! scope=row Love Was Enough * Released: May 27, 2013 * Label: Sony Music * Formats: CD, digital download, streaming 11 * KOR: 1,145 - Singles Promotional singles Soundtrack appearances Filmography Film Television Awards and nominations Listicles Notes References External links *

B.I (rapper)

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Kim Han-bin (; born October 22, 1996), known professionally as B.I () is a South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer. He debuted in the South Korean boy band iKon under YG Entertainment in September 2015. On June 12, 2019, he departed from the group due to substance allegations. During his time with the group, he played a significant role in the production and songwriting of their music, and is credited as the sole record producer for all of the group’s releases. His contributions to iKon’s second studio album, Return, for the lead single “Love Scenario”, earned him the prestigious “Songwriter of the Year” award at the 2018 Melon Music Awards. Cosmos, the first half of his second studio album was released in November 2021. In 2022, he launched his global album project Love or Loved, starting with the single “BTBT” in May, followed by the EP Love or Loved Part.1 in November. B.I released his second studio album To Die For on June 1, 2023, and the last part of the Love or Loved project, the EP Love or Loved Part.2, in November 2023. His third studio album, Wonderland, was released on June 1, 2025. In 2009, B.I made his first appearance by featuring and participating in

Bang Si-hyuk

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Bang Si-hyuk (; born August 9, 1972), also known as “Hitman” Bang, is a South Korean music executive, record producer and songwriter who is the co-founder of JYP Entertainment, founder of record label Big Hit Music, and chairman of HYBE Corporation. One of the 50 wealthiest people in South Korea according to Forbes Asia, Bang is the only billionaire in the South Korean entertainment industry. , his reported net worth is an estimated $1.25 billion, according to Forbes 2026 Korea’s 50 Richest List. Early life and education Bang was born to Bang Geuk-yoon, former president of the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Corporation at the Korea Social Insurance Research Institute, and his wife, Choi Myung-ja. Bang has a younger sister. Bang developed a passion for music from an early age, having grown up in a musical home, but was discouraged from pursuing a career in the industry by his parents. Bang formed a band with his friends while in middle school and wrote and performed songs he composed. He attended Kyunggi High School before graduating from Seoul National University with a degree in aesthetics. Career Bang debuted as a composer while in college. He met Park Jin-young in 1997,

Bang Ye-dam

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Bang Ye-dam (; born May 7, 2002) is a South Korean singer, songwriter and producer. He is best known as a former member of South Korean boy band Treasure and for competing in the second installment of K-pop Star (2012–2013), where he finished as runner-up. He debuted as a soloist with the digital single titled “Wayo” () on June 5, 2020. In August 2023, he signed with GF Entertainment as soloist and producer. Life and career 2002–2011: Early life Bang Ye-dam was born on May 7, 2002, in Seoul, South Korea. Coming from a musically oriented family, his father, is well known for creating over forty songs for commercials and animations including the Korean-dub for Japanese anime opening songs Pokémon, Dragon Ball and more. His mother, Jung Mi-young is well known for singing soundtracks in Korean drama Friends and film After the Show Ends (). Within his family, he is an only child. Five-year-old Bang (Korean age) participated in the opening songs for EBS’ television series Bboong bboong-E () and the Korean-dub version of the Japanese anime Onegai! Samia-don (). On March 5, 2007, he made his first television appearance on EBS’ documentary 15 Second Fever, Hold the World with his parents. D

Bobby (rapper)

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Kim Ji-won (; born December 21, 1995), known professionally as Bobby (), is a South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter, and member of iKon. In 2016, he formed a sub-unit with Mino under the name MOBB. He is best known for finishing in first place on Mnet’s survival show Show Me the Money 3. Early life Kim Ji-won was born on December 21, 1995, in Seoul, South Korea. In 2005, he and his family moved to Fairfax, Virginia, where he auditioned for YG Entertainment and later met Kim Jin-woo of Jinusean in New York City. In January 2011, he was signed as a trainee under the label. Career After over two years of training, Bobby participated in the 2013 survival show Win: Who Is Next? under Team B. He started using his stage name Bobby, named after his idol, Bob Marley. Because Team A won the program, Bobby continued training under YG Entertainment. In November 2013, while still a trainee, Bobby appeared in the music video for “Ringa Linga” by label-mate Taeyang of Big Bang alongside B.I and Jinhwan from Team B, Winner’s Mino and Taehyun, and Blackpink’s Lisa. In May 2014, together with B.I, Bobby competed on Mnet’s Show Me The Money 3. He finished in first place under Team Illionaire, mento

Brave Brothers

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Kang Dong-chul (, born June 7, 1979), also known by his stage name Brave Brothers, is a South Korean rapper, record producer and songwriter for Brave Entertainment. He was a producer and composer for YG Entertainment from 2004 to 2008. In 2008, he started his own record label called Brave Entertainment. He has produced hit songs for After School, Sistar, 4Minute, T-ara, Son Dam Bi, Big Bang, Brown Eyed Girls, AOA, Hello Venus, RANIA and U-KISS. In 2009, he made his music debut with Attitude and later released Passionate on December 8. His label manages acts such as Electroboyz, BIGSTAR, and DKB. Kang was a judge panelist on JTBC’s Made In U program in 2011. Music career On October 21, representatives of RaNia revealed that Brave Brothers would be producing their album Time To Rock Da Show. He was awarded the Hallyu Composer Award at the 19th Korean Culture Entertainment Daesang Awards on December 15, 2011. He stated, “Thank you so much for honoring me with such a great award. I will return the favor with more great new songs. I would like to return this honor to the artists that express my songs and to the Brave Sound family. Personal life On KBS’s Win Win, he revealed he had a tro

Brother Su

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Kim Hyung-soo (; born December 22, 1990), better known as Brother Su (), is a South Korean singer-songwriter and record producer. Su debuted in 2010 and has been signed under Starship Entertainment’s subsidiary label Starship X since 2015. Career 2010–2015: Early work and RealCollabo Prior to his debut, Brother Su participated in “Christmas Card from Real Collabo” with his remix of “Winter Wonderland”. The next year he officially debuted as RealCollabo’s first singer with single “It was You”. In the same year, he released another single “You Got Me”. The following years, Brother Su started featuring and writing for his label mates as well as other artists. Started with featuring in Mad Clown’s “Basil”, he was also featured in Andup’s “Like This Right Now”, Giriboy’s “Player”, Cheeze’s “Papapa”, d.ear’s “We Need to Talk”, Kebee’s “Travel Bag”, and Swings’s “Two Thumbs”. He produced label mate Siaena’s “Sound of Rain” and Lovey’s “Return”, as well as Crucial Star’s “Flat Shoes”. In his early years as a lyricist, Brother Su teamed up with Ra.D for Jooyoung’s “All of You” and “Hang Up the Phone”, and Ra.D’s “Thank You, Thank You”. On July 4, 2013 he released his first full album Paper,

Bumzu

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Kye Beom-ju (, born November 8, 1991), better known by the stage name Bumzu (), is a South Korean record producer, songwriter and singer. He signed to Pledis Entertainment early in his career, and has been co-CEO of the Prismfilter Music Group since 2016. He is best known for his work with Pledis Entertainment labelmates NU’EST and Seventeen, and has amassed credits working with other South Korean artists including Shinee, Fromis 9, NCT 127, TWS, and BTS’s Jin. In 2025, he also became a member of The Recording Academy. Biography and career Bumzu was born in Seoul, South Korea, on November 8, 1991. He learned the violin as a child, and by the age of high school, he became active in Hongdae’s underground music scene. His first mainstream work was composing for H.O.T’s Jang Woo-hyuk’s “Don’t Go, Go Away” in 2011. He then participated in the singing competition show Superstar K 4 at the age of 22, which has been noted as his big break. Following the show, he began producing songs for Pledis artists including After School and NU’EST, and has produced songs alongside Woozi for Seventeen since their debut song “Adore U”. In 2024, Bumzu started producing music for Pledis’ new group TWS und

Chanyeol

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Park Chan-yeol (; born November 27, 1992), better known mononymously as Chanyeol, is a South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter, producer, and actor. He is a member of the South Korean-Chinese boy group Exo, its sub-group Exo-K and sub-unit Exo-SC, and debuted as soloist on August 28, 2024, with his first extended play (EP) Black Out. Apart from his group’s activities, Chanyeol has also starred in various television dramas and movies such as So I Married an Anti-fan (2016), and Secret Queen Makers (2018). Early life Park Chan-yeol was born on November 27, 1992, in Yeokchon-dong, Eunpyeong District, Seoul, South Korea. He attended Hyundai High School in Apgujeong-dong, Seoul. He has an elder sister named Park Yoo-ra, who is a former announcer at South Korean broadcasting station YTN, and MBC. Chanyeol was admitted to a private acting institution when he was sixteen years old, where he became good friends with Block B’s P.O. After watching School of Rock in elementary school, Chanyeol became interested in music and soon began playing the drums. Chanyeol wanted to be a singer after listening to Unconditional Kismet by Yoo Young-jin. Chanyeol has cited Jason Mraz and Eminem as his bigge

Choi Hyun-suk

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Choi Hyun-suk (; born April 21, 1999) is a South Korean rapper, singer and dancer under YG Entertainment. As a member of boy band Treasure, Choi debuted on August 7, 2020, with the single album entitled The First Step: Chapter One. He is also known for his television appearance as a contestant on Mix Nine (2017–2018). Life and career 1999–2016: Early life Choi Hyun-suk was born on April 21, 1999, in South Korea. He is the eldest in his family and has a younger sister. 8-year-old Choi (Korean age) first discovered rap and hip hop in first grade through Big Bang’s documentary The Beginning (2006), In result, he solely fixated his eyes on the hip hop label, YG Entertainment. or alternatively become a footballer, stemmed by his interest in the sport in result of his stance as an avid fan of Real Madrid CF. Preceding his interest in hip hop, Choi also joined a choir in fifth grade, following a family tradition situated in elementary school, as a sopranist and won first place as its school representative in contests. In his adolescence, he enrolled at an academy for lessons and attended a private audition held by YG Entertainment through the facility; as a result, Choi was successfully r

Choi Seung-hyun

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Choi Seung Hyun, also known as Shawn Choi, is a South Korean film score composer. He was one of the composers of Oldboy References External links *https://www.schoimusic.com/?lang=en * * * Shawn Choi Official YouTube

Choi Si-won

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Choi Si-won (; born April 7, 1986 ), known mononymously as Siwon, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, model, and actor, known for his work as a member of South Korean boy group Super Junior. Choi was a special representative for UNICEF Korea from 2015 to 2019, before being chosen as a UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office ambassador in November 2019. Aside from being a member of Super Junior, Choi has also ventured into solo activities, mainly acting. He played lead roles in the Korean dramas Oh! My Lady (2010), Poseidon (2011), Revolutionary Love (2017), My Fellow Citizens! (2019), and Love Is for Suckers (2022) and had supporting roles in Athena: Goddess of War (2010), The King of Dramas (2012), She Was Pretty (2015), and Bloodhounds (2023). Choi has also participated in various Chinese language films such as Helios, To the Fore, and Dragon Blade. Early life Choi was born in Seoul, South Korea, on April 7, 1986. He has one younger sister, Ji-won. His father was the former CEO of Boryung Medicine, a pharmaceutical company. Choi graduated from Apgu Jeong High School in February 2006 and from Inha University in February 2012 alongside fellow member Kim Ryeowook. Career Choi

Colde

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Kim Hee-soo (; born May 10, 1994), better known as Colde (), is a South Korean singer-songwriter. He debuted in 2016 as a member of the indie duo Off On Off. As a solo artist he has released the extended plays Wave (2018), Love Part 1 (2019), Idealism (2021), and Love Part 2 (2023). Colde was part of the lineup for the Grand Mint Festival 2020 which took place from October 24-25, 2020 at Olympic Park in Seoul, South Korea. Discography Extended plays Single albums Singles Soundtrack appearances Other charted songs Awards and nominations Notes References External links *

DK (singer)

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Lee Seok-min (; born February 18, 1997), known professionally as Dokyeom () or DK, is a South Korean singer. Managed by Pledis Entertainment he is a member of the South Korean boy band Seventeen, its vocal team, and is the leader of its subunit BSS with Hoshi and Seungkwan. Outside of his group activities, In 2019, DK made his musical theatre debut with the lead role Arthur in XCalibur, the South Korean production of Artus-Excalibur. He then returned to play the role of Arthur in XCalibur 2021 run. DK has also released a number of OSTs that have been commercially successful in South Korea. Early life DK was born on February 18, 1997, in Mapo District, Seoul, South Korea. Name DK is the shortened version of his Korean stage name Dokyeom. In Korean, Do () refers to a path or road, while Kyeom () means “multitasker”, together representing a goal to be a multi-talented person who can take on many paths. Career 2011–2014: Pre-debut DK joined Pledis Entertainment in late 2011, having auditioned for the company after being inspired by South Korean singer Yoon Do-hyun’s career. He auditioned with three songs: YB Band’s “Peppermint Candy”, 2AM’s “This Song”, and the Korean version of “This

Don Spike

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Kim Min-su (; born January 24, 1977), better known by his stage name Don Spike () is a South Korean singer, composer and entertainer. Personal life Relationships In May 2022, it was reported that Don Spike would hold a wedding with his girlfriend on June 4, 2022. Drug use allegations On September 27, 2022, Don Spike was arrested due to test resulted in a positive test for narcotics of using methamphetamine. According to news reports, the Nowon Police Station in Seoul had arrested Don Spike at around 8 pm on the 26th at a hotel in Gangnam, Seoul. Discography Singles As producer Filmography Television Web shows References External links *

Doyoung

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Kim Dong-young (; born February 1, 1996), known professionally as Doyoung (), is a South Korean singer, actor, and host. He is a member of the South Korean boy band NCT through the sub-units NCT 127 and NCT DoJaeJung. Doyoung was first introduced as a trainee through pre-debut team SM Rookies in January 2015. Doyoung was introduced as the first batch member of the boy band NCT and debuted through their rotational unit NCT U in April 2016. In January 2017, he was added as a new member of the Seoul-based sub-unit NCT 127. He later debuted in the trio sub-unit NCT DoJaeJung in April 2023. In April 2024, Doyoung began his solo debut with the release of his first studio album Youth. Doyoung has ventured into acting. Following his supporting role in the third season of the drama series Midnight Cafe – The Curious Stalker and the musical Marie Antoinette in 2021, he starred in the web series Dear X Who Doesn’t Love Me (2022). On television, Doyoung also appeared on the beauty show Lipstick Prince (2016–2017) and the variety show Law of the Jungle (2019) and hosted music show Show Champion (2015) and Inkigayo (2017–2018). He was previously a cast member of Master in the House from July 3,

Eun Young Lee

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Eun Young Lee is a South Korean composer based in the United States. She is a 2023 Guggenheim Fellow and an associate professor at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Biography Eun Young Lee studied at Ewha Womans University where she obtained a BM and MM in music theory, and the Manhattan School of Music, where she obtained her MM in composition. She won the first-place prize at the 2006 Tsang-Houei Hsu International Music Composition Competition. In 2010, she was awarded a MacDowell Fellowship, for work on her commissions for the Sejong Cultural Society and University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music, as well as a Virginia Center for the Creative Arts Fellowship. David Schulenberg praised Antico Moderno’s 2016 performance of her piece Gil as “imaginative use of the ensemble’s distinctive sonorities”. One of her pieces, “Mool”, was performed in Liza Stepanova’s 2017 piano album E Pluribus Unum. She was awarded a Guggenheim Fellow in Music Composition in 2023 and another MacDowell Fellowship in 2024; References

Hi Kyung Kim

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Hi Kyung Kim (; born 1954) is a South Korean composer. Life Hi Kyung Kim was born in South Korea. She graduated from Seoul National University with a BA and the University of California, Berkeley, with an MA and PhD, where she studied composition with Andrew Imbrie, Olly Wilson, Gérard Grisey, and Sung-Jae Lee. As a benefit of the U.C. Berkeley’s George C. Ladd Prix de Paris, she worked at Institut de Rechéreche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique (IRCAM) and École Normale Supérieure in Paris from 1988 to 1990. After completing her studies, Kim took a position as assistant professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She returned to Korea in 1985 and 1998 for research and study of Korean music, and also researched the music of Elliott Carter at the Paul Sacher Foundation in Basel, Switzerland. Honors and awards *Eisner prize in Creative Arts and *Two Di Lorenzo Composition Prizes *U.C. Berkeley’s George C. Ladd Prix de Paris *Walter Hinrichsen Award from the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters Works Selected works include: *Thousand Gates (2010/2011) Korean and Western choreography, Korean ensemble (percussion, haegeum), Western ensemble (violin, cello, clar

Hoshi (South Korean singer)

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Kwon Soon-young (; born June 15, 1996), known by his stage name Hoshi (), is a South Korean singer and dancer. Managed by Pledis Entertainment, he is a member of the South Korean boy band Seventeen, the leader of its performance team and part of its subunits BSS and Hoshi X Woozi. Hoshi made his solo debut with “Spider” on April 2, 2021. Early life Kwon Soon-young was born on June 15, 1996, in Namyangju, Gyeonggi, South Korea. Hoshi attended Maseok High School. Career 2011–2014: Pre-debut Hoshi joined Pledis Entertainment in late 2012, where he received training for the next four years. In 2013, he appeared on Seventeen TV, an online reality show that introduced Pledis’ trainees and showed potential members of the boy group Seventeen before their official debut. The show was broadcast periodically on Ustream, where the trainees showed themselves training, singing, creating choreographies, and playing games. The online show, titled Like Seventeen, also included participation in concerts. 2015–present: Seventeen and solo activities In 2015, Hoshi debuted as a member of the South Korean boy group Seventeen with the extended play 17 Carat on May 29. Alongside members Seungkwan and DK,

Hwanhee

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Hwang Yoon-seok (, born January 17, 1982), better known as Hwanhee (), is a South Korean singer, actor and a member of South Korean R&B duo Fly to the Sky. Career Hwanhee graduated from before his debut. He was encouraged to audition by a staff member working for SM Entertainment at his high school festival. He also attended Kyunghee University, majoring in post-modern music. 1999: Fly to the Sky Officially debuting on November 21, 1999, he released the album Day by Day alongside fellow member Brian Joo. 2006-2011: Acting Hwanhee debuted as an actor in 2006, when he starred alongside Seo Ji-hye, Ji Hyun-woo and Kim Ok-vin in Korean drama Over the Rainbow as cocky rock star Rex. The rating of the show was mediocre throughout its airing, plummeting to 7% at one point. His performance received mixed reviews. (SBS) He continued to pursue his acting career by participating in a 2008 drama “사랑해” (“I Love You”) alongside actor Ahn Jae Wook. On 14 September 2008, Hwanhee appeared on the show We Got Married 우리 결혼했어요! together with Hwayobi, as one of the 3 new couples. They made their official exit from the show on January 18, 2009. In 2010, he acted in a drama called Stormy Lovers. However,

Hyo-Won Woo

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Hyo-Won Woo (also Hyowon Woo, , born 1974) is a South Korean composer, especially of choral music. She uses elements from both Korean music and Western contemporary composition techniques. Career Woo was born in Seoul in 1974. Her father was an artist, her mother a pianist. She graduated from Sungshin Women’s University. In 1995 she became composer in residence with the Seoul Ladies’ Singers, conducted by Hak-Won Yoon whom she had met singing as a student in the Yongrak Presbyterian Church Choir which he also conducted. She received a commission to compose a missa brevis for women’s choir to be performed on an Asia tour in 1996. From 1999 she composed for the Incheon City Chorale, also conducted by Yoon. In 2002 she composed Gloria for a concert tour of the Asian Youth Choir. She wrote an oratorio, Moses, in 2011. In several works, she combines influences from Western contemporary music and from Korean traditional music, creating new Korean choral music. The musicologist Yoonchung Chang analysed the combination specifically for Gloria in a 2012 thesis. Traditional elements include scales and rhythmic patterns. She also uses Sikimsea, Korean melodic ornaments with “subtle shading an

Isang Yun

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Isang Yun, or Yun I-sang (; 17 September 1917 – 3 November 1995), was a Korean-born composer who made his later career in West Germany. Early life and education Yun was born in Sancheong (Sansei), Korea in 1917, the son of poet Yun Ki-hyon. His family moved to Tongyeong (Tōei) when he was three years old. He began to study violin at the age of 13 whereupon he composed his first melody. Despite his father’s opposition to pursuing a career in music, Yun began formal music training two years later with a violinist in a military band in Keijō (present day Seoul). Eventually his father relented once Yun agreed to enroll in a business school while continuing his musical studies. In 1935 Yun moved to Osaka where he studied cello, music theory, and composition briefly at the Osaka College of Music. He soon returned to Tongyeong where he composed a “Shepherd’s Song” for voice and piano. In 1939 Yun traveled again to Japan, this time to Tokyo in order to study under Tomojiro Ikenouchi. When the Pacific War began in December 1941, he moved back to Korea where he participated in the Korean independence movement. He was arrested for these activities in 1943 and was imprisoned for two months. Yu

J.Y. Park

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Park Jin-young (; born December 13, 1971), also known by his stage names J.Y. Park and The Asiansoul or the initials JYP, is a South Korean singer-songwriter, record producer, record executive, and reality television show judge. Park rose to stardom as a singer following the release of his 1994 debut album, Blue City. In 1997, he founded JYP Entertainment, which went on to become one of the most profitable entertainment agencies in South Korea. As the head of JYP Entertainment from 1997 to 2011, Park has developed and managed successful K-pop artists including 2PM, Day6, Got7, Itzy, KickFlip, Miss A, Nmixx, Rain, Stray Kids, Twice, Xdinary Heroes and Wonder Girls, as well as Mandopop group Boy Story and J-pop groups Nexz and NiziU. Early life and education Park was born in Gwangjin District, Seoul, South Korea. He has an older sister. Career Park originally debuted as the trio boy group “Park Jin Young and the NG (New Generation)” (), with Kim Soo-chul as a producer, and members Cho Hye-sung and Yoon Tae-jin. Their first album ‘Floating time’ () was not successful. Park’s notability within the Korean music industry began in 1994 when he debuted as a solo artist with the song “Don’t

Jaehyun

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Jeong Yun-o (; born Jeong Jae-hyun (), February 14, 1997), known professionally as Jaehyun, is a South Korean singer. He is a member of the South Korean boy band NCT and its sub-units NCT 127 and NCT DoJaeJung. He made his solo debut on August 26, 2024, with the studio album J. First introduced in December 2013 as a trainee under the pre-debut team SM Rookies, he debuted in April 2016 as a member of the rotational unit NCT U and as a member of Seoul-based fixed unit NCT 127 in July 2016. He later joined the fixed unit NCT DoJaeJung in April 2023. As of 2024, Jaehyun has released five solo singles: “Forever Only” and “Horizon”, both as part of the NCT Lab project, while “Roses”, “Dandelion”, and “Smoke” as part of his debut album J. Apart from music, he has also hosted the radio show NCT Night Night from March 2017 to January 2019 and the television program Inkigayo from October 2019 to February 2021. He later debuted as an actor with a leading role in the college romance television series Dear. M (2022), and he made his feature film debut in the mystery thriller film You Will Die In 6 Hours (2024). As of 2024, Jaehyun is a global ambassador for the Italian luxury brand Prada; he is

Jaemin

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Na Jae-min (; born August 13, 2000), known mononymously as Jaemin, is a South Korean rapper. After training for three years, Jaemin debuted in August 2016 as a member of South Korean boy group NCT through the sub-units NCT Dream and NCT JNJM, which has gone on to become one of the best-selling groups in South Korea. Jaemin debuted in the acting scene, starring in the web series Method to Hate You (2019). Early life Na Jae-min was born in Busan, South Korea on August 13, 2000. He grew up in Seoul and studied at Incheon Cheong-il Elementary School; he also attended at Incheon Haewon Middle School and went to School of Performing Arts Seoul (SOPA). During his childhood, Jaemin competed nationally in short-track speed skating. Jaemin became a trainee under SM Entertainment in 2013, at the age of 13, after being street-cast by staff while handing out posters and collecting trash as a volunteer with his mother at an event. Career 2014–2016: Pre-debut activities In 2014, Jaemin began featuring in several events with SM Entertainment’s pre-debut training team, SM Rookies. In August 2014, he participated in the SM Town Live World Tour IV with SM Rookies and appeared in several SM Rookies vi

Jeajoon Ryu

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Jeajoon Ryu (born 1970) is a South Korean composer. His works have been by performed some of the world’s leading orchestras, such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), l’Orchestre régional de Cannes-Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (ORCPACA), the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra (Helsingin kaupunginorkesteri), and the Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra. He was the artistic director of Seoul International Music Festival from 2009 to 2010 and a composer of Poland Gozow Philharmonic Orchestra from 2011 to 2012. Artists such as Arto Noras, Michel Lethiec, Ralf Gothoni, Li-Wei Qin, Shanghai Quartet, Juyung Baek, So-Ock Kim, Johannes Moser and Ilya Gringolts have performed his works. Education He studied composition under Krzysztof Penderecki at Kraków Music Academy as well as under Kang, Suk-hi at Seoul National University. Career His music has been given numerous critically acclaimed around the world and at the Cadogan Hall, Verdi Hall in Milan, Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall, and Helsinki Music Centre. He was invited to the Naantali Music Festival (Finland) and Mecklenburg Music Festival (Germany) as guest composer and jury member of international Violin Competition of Astana. His violin

Jessi (musician)

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Jessica Hyunju Ho (; born December 17, 1988), better known by the stage name Jessi (), is an American rapper and singer based in South Korea. She was born in New York City and raised in New Jersey. She moved to Seoul, South Korea, at the age of 15. Jessi originally debuted in South Korea in 2005 and briefly joined the Korean hip-hop group Uptown in 2006. After a hiatus, she returned to music as part of the hip-hop trio Lucky J and as a soloist under YMC Entertainment, until the group’s disbandment in 2016. She then signed with Psy’s record label P Nation in 2019 as its first artist, where she continued her solo career until her departure from the label in 2022. Several of her solo and collaborative singles have been commercially successful, with five Top 10 entries in the Gaon Digital Chart, including her highest-charting solo single “Nunu Nana” and the chart-topping single “Don’t Touch Me” as part of the Refund Sisters. Jessi is a prominent presence in Korean variety programs. She achieved mainstream popularity as part of the first season of Mnet hip hop competition show Unpretty Rapstar, where she placed second. She also served as a judge in competition shows High School Rapper a

Jessica Jung

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Jessica Jung (born April 18, 1989) is an American and South Korean singer-songwriter, actress, author, and businesswoman. She is best known for her work as a former member of the South Korean girl group Girls’ Generation. As an actress, Jung portrayed Elle Woods in the Korean version of the musical Legally Blonde in 2010 and played a role in the television drama Wild Romance in 2012. In August 2014, Jung established a fashion brand, Blanc & Eclare. The next month, she was dismissed from Girls’ Generation, and in 2015, she ended her contract with SM Entertainment. In 2016, Jung signed with Coridel Entertainment in 2016, prior to the release of her debut solo album With Love, J. In May 2018, she signed a contract with United Talent Agency. Her debut novel Shine was released in September 2020. Early life Jessica Jung was born on April 18, 1989, in San Francisco. While on vacation in South Korea, she and her sister, Krystal, were spotted in a shopping mall by a member of SM Entertainment; she later joined the company in 2000. She spent seven years as a trainee before debuting as part of the Korean girl group Girls’ Generation. Jung attended Korea Kent Foreign School during her teenage

Jo Yeong-wook

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Jo Yeong-wook (, occasionally romanized as Cho Young-wuk; born January 1, 1962) is a South Korean film score composer and music director. He is most widely known for his collaborations with director Park Chan-wook. Filmography Film Television *The Little Drummer Girl (2018) *Narco-Saints (2022) *The Sympathizer (2024) *Nine Puzzles (2025) * Queen Mantis (2025) * Made in Korea (2025) Awards and nominations Notes References External links * Jo Yeong-wook on Last.fm * * *

Joshua (American singer)

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Joshua Hong (born December 30, 1995), known mononymously as Joshua (), is an American singer based in South Korea. Managed by Pledis Entertainment, he is a member of the South Korean boy band Seventeen and its vocal team. Early life Joshua Hong was born in Los Angeles on December 30, 1995. He attended Downtown Magnets High School and graduated in 2013. Growing up, he attended church in Los Angeles’ Koreatown. Career 2013–2014: Pre-debut Joshua was scouted by an agent from Pledis during a visit to Koreatown, Los Angeles in 2013. He then moved to Seoul, South Korea, where he began training in singing and dancing. As a trainee, he joined from the second season onwards of Seventeen TV, an online reality show that introduced Pledis’ trainees and showed potential members of the boy group Seventeen before their official debut. The show was broadcast periodically on Ustream, where the trainees showed themselves training, singing, creating choreographies and playing games. The online show also included participation in concerts, titled Like Seventeen. 2015–present: Seventeen and solo activities In 2015, Joshua debuted as a member of the South Korean boy group Seventeen with the extended pla

Jung Jae-hyung

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Jung Jae-hyung (; born January 12, 1970) is a South Korean pop singer-songwriter, pianist and film music composer. Currently, his agency is the Antenna. Career 1995–2007: Debut with band Basis and early solo activities Jung Jae-hyung was born in Seoul and graduated from Hanyang University’s College of Music, with a major in composition. Before his debut, he was not affected by any kind of pop music and was immersed only in classical music. In 1996, the two female members of Basis left the group after releasing their second album to study abroad. Jung continued alone as Basis and released the third album in 1997. Jung went to France to attend École Normale de Musique de Paris. During his stay in Paris, he specialized in film music and composition and participated in four film productions in South Korea. On October 18, 2002, Jung released an OST album containing 12 soundtracks he composed for the film ‘Addicted’. In the same year, Jung released his second solo album, ‘Second Sound’ while studying in France. Jung also participated as a musician for Lee So-ra’s 6th album, Eyebrow Moon. In 2005, Jung composed the OSTs for the film Princess Aurora. On June 21, 2006, Jung was invited by t

Jung Jae-il

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Jung Jae-il (,; born May 7, 1982) is a South Korean composer known for writing the scores of the 2019 Academy Award-winning film Parasite and the Netflix television series Squid Game, which earned him a nomination for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music at the 74th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards. Biography Jung Jae-il was three years old when he first played piano, and he picked up the guitar at nine. When he was 13, he posted an ad in the magazine Hot Music, “to find bass drums and vocals to do a style of music that is similar to the British heavy metal band Carcass”. Jung graduated from . He released his first solo album, Tear Flower (눈물꽃), in 2003. Jung performed on the piano during the April 2018 inter-Korean summit. In 2021, he won the Hollywood Music in Media Awards for Best Score in a TV Show for Squid Game. Partial discography Studio albums * Tear Flower (눈물꽃) (2003) Film Television Video games Awards and nominations References External links * *

Juri Seo

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Juri Seo (; born December 31, 1981) is a South Korean composer. A 2016 Guggenheim Fellow, she has released several albums, two of which were with Innova Recordings. She is also Professor at the Princeton University Department of Music. Biography Juri Seo was born on December 31, 1981 in South Korea. She studied at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia under Ivan Fedele, and obtained her bachelor of arts degree at Yonsei University and her master of music and doctor of musical arts degrees at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She is Professor of Music at the Princeton University Department of Music. She was awarded an American Academy of Arts and Letters Goddard Lieberson Fellowship in 2014. She released two albums with Innova Recordings: Mostly Piano (2017) and Respiri (2019). Andrew Stock of I Care If You Listen said that the latter “illuminates some of her core aesthetic preoccupations through a trio of key works”. In 2021, she was awarded an Andrew Imbrie Award in Music in 2021. She released another album Toy Store, a collaboration with violinist Jinjoo Cho, through Carrier Records on May 5, 2024. She performed the main titular piece for Wonkak Kim and Eunhye Grace Cho

Kang Sukhi

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Kang Sukhi (; October 22, 1934 – August 16, 2020) was a South Korean composer. Careers Kang graduated Seoul National University 1960 majored in Composition, studied in Germany 1970’s, He was a student of Yisang Yoon who was South Korean composer thought in Berlin University of the Arts and Kang studied in Yoon’s hospital when he visited South Korean for the political allegations. Kang returned to Korea in 12 years from Germany and taught composition at Seoul National University. He was the first composer who introduced electronic music in South Korea 1969, the 1st vice president as an Asian in the ISCM. From 1970 to the 1980s, Kang developed his creative activities mainly in Germany, and during this period, Edition Modern (now Ricordi) published works such as Buru for indoor ensembles. As he stated, “The most important thing for music is structure.” mainly had activities in Germany between 1970 and 1980. The emphasis is on systematic material manipulation. This methodology did not change with the composition of electronic music. He returned to Korea in 1982. He moved to Edition Gravis in the 1980s. He has sporadically contracted with other publishers. Kang also adopted Korean tradi

Kenzie (songwriter)

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Kim Yeon-jung (; born February 3, 1976), known professionally as Kenzie (), is a South Korean songwriter and record producer signed under SM Entertainment. She has written and produced songs for SM artists such as BoA, Isak N Jiyeon, Super Junior, The Grace, TVXQ, Girls’ Generation, Shinee, f(x), Exo, Red Velvet, SuperM, Aespa, NCT, Riize and Hearts2Hearts, as well as non-SM artists such as Twice, CIX, BAE173, The Boyz, Zerobaseone and TWS. Biography Kim is a 1999 Alumna of Berklee College of Music, having majored in music production and engineering (MP&E). She moved to the US to further her studies, though her goal was still to be a music producer and composer in her native country of South Korea. Although she had been trained in classical music and knew how to play the piano and trumpet, she acquainted herself with the pop scene, and through the knowledge of the success of S.M. Entertainment groups like S.E.S. and H.O.T., she set herself a goal to work with S.M., which she accomplished after graduating and meeting the CEO Lee Soo-man himself. Her favourite songs amongst her own work include BoA’s “My Name”, Girls’ Generation’s debut song “Into The New World”, and “Oh!” by the sam

Kim Dong-hyun (singer, born 1998)

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Kim Dong-hyun (, born September 17, 1998), known mononymously as Donghyun, is a South Korean singer-songwriter and actor. He is known for his participation in the reality competition show Produce 101 Season 2. He later debuted as a part of the musical duo, MXM. He is a member of South Korean boy group AB6IX. Early life Kim Dong-hyun was born on September 17, 1998, in Daejeon, South Korea. He has an older brother, an older sister, and an older fraternal twin brother, making him the youngest person in his family. Prior to appearing on Produce 101 Season 2, Kim has trained for eleven months. He was a trainee at JYP Entertainment before he passed Brand New Music’s audition and joined them as a trainee on late 2016. Kim was a student at Namdaejeon High School. Career 2017–2018: Produce 101 and MXM In mid-2017, Kim participated in the Produce 101 Season 2, a reality competition show designed to form a temporary boy group consisting of 11 members chosen by the public from 101 contestants. He represented Brand New Music along with three other trainees. He was eventually eliminated from the show, finishing in 28th place overall on episode 10. On July 12, 2017, Brand New Music announced that

Kim Jin-hi

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Kim Jin-hi (; born February 6, 1957) is a composer and performer of komungo and electric komungo, and a Korean music specialist. Kim is known as a pioneer for introducing geomungo (거문고, a Korean fretted board zither, also spelled komungo) to American contemporary classical music scene through her own cross-cultural chamber and orchestral compositions and her extensive solo work in avant-garde, as well as cross-cultural free improvisation. She is a Guggenheim fellow in composition and her recent works include the development of komungobot (algorithmic robotic instrument) and solo performances of the world’s only electric komungo with live interactive MIDI computer system in her large-scale multimedia performance pieces. Kim has received commissions from the American Composers Orchestra, Kronos Quartet, and Tan Dun’s New Generation of East for Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, among others. During the last three decades Kim has performed as a komungo soloist in her own compositions at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.), Smithsonian Freer Gallery of Art (Washington, DC), Metropolitan Museum of Art, Asia Society (NYC), Haus der Kulturen der Welt (Be

Kim Woojin

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Kim Woojin (; born April 8, 1997) is a South Korean singer and actor. He is a former member of the boy group Stray Kids, formed by JYP Entertainment in 2017. After leaving the group in late 2019, Kim debuted as a soloist in 2021 with the release of his first extended play (EP) The Moment: A Minor. Kim has since released two additional EPs. Outside of music, Kim has ventured into acting, most notably with a starring role in HBO Max’s Brazilian TV series Além do Guarda-Roupa (). Originally signed to 10x Entertainment for solo activities, Kim has been under contract to Kustomade since the label’s acquisition by SM Entertainment in 2024. Early life Kim Woojin was born on April 8, 1997, in Bucheon, South Korea. He graduated from the School of Performing Arts Seoul. He was a trainee under SM Entertainment for one year, where he practiced with fellow apprentices that would go on to debut as part of NCT. On October 11, 2017, Kim was unveiled as a JYP Entertainment trainee. Career 2017–2019: Stray Kids In 2017, Kim competed in Mnet’s reality survival show Stray Kids to become a member of the record label’s forthcoming boy group of the same name. In midst of the competition, the group made t

Koo Jun-hoe

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Koo Jun-hoe (, born March 31, 1997), also known by the stage name Ju-ne, is a South Korean singer and actor. He is a member of boy group iKon under 143 Entertainment. He has made appearances on survival programs WIN: Who Is Next and Mix & Match in 2013 and 2014 respectively. Early life Koo Jun-hoe was born on March 31, 1997, in Seoul, South Korea. In March 2009, he made his first television appearance on SBS’ Star King as “13 year old Michael Jackson”. In 2011, Jun-hoe appeared on the first season of SBS’ K-pop Star. Following elimination from the show, in April 2012, he was scouted by YG Entertainment and joined the company as a trainee. Career 2013–2020: WIN: Who Is Next, Mix & Match and iKon In 2013 Jun-hoe joined Mnet reality survival program WIN: Who Is Next as a member of Team B. The show ended with Team A winning and going on to debut as Winner, and Team B returning to train under the YG label. Soon after, in 2014, YG Entertainment announced the members of Team B would be competing again in a second reality survival show, Mix & Match. The show resulted in the debut of all Team B members alongside Jung Chan-woo under the name iKon. On September 15, 2015, iKon debuted the pre-

Kyoungyoon

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Lee Kyoung-yoon (, born February 21, 2000), also known by the mononym Kyoungyoon, is a South Korean singer and actor. He is a former member of the boy group DKZ. He received his first main role as a television actor in a June 2021 EBS’ international co-production drama, Beasts of Asia. He also starred in musical productions such as Equal and The Three Musketeers. Early life and education Lee Kyoung-yoon was born on February 21, 2000, in Yeongdeok County, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. Kyoungyoon first dreamed of becoming a singer when he was in middle school after he heard Park Hyo-shin’s “Beautiful Tomorrow”. Before debuting as an idol, he had been training as an athlete and even formed a band where he was active as a guitarist and vocalist. After graduating from high school, Kyoungyoon entered the Department of Broadcasting and Entertainment at Global Cyber University. Career DKZ As a Dongyo trainee, Kyoungyoon was already part of group activities before his official debut. He officially debuted on April 24, 2019, as part of the 5-member boy group, Dongkiz. Although the group has no assigned positions, Kyoungyoon has been in charge of the vocals in the group. During the

Lee Chan-hyuk

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Lee Chan-hyuk (; born September 12, 1996), is a South Korean singer-songwriter, producer and author. He debuted as a member of the sibling duo AKMU in April 2014, under YG Entertainment. Life and career 1996–2013: Early life Lee Chan-hyuk was born on September 12, 1996, in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Both Chan-hyuk and his younger sister, Lee Su-hyun, moved to Mongolia with their missionary parents for five years, while being home-schooled by their mother, before returning to South Korea. In August 2012, the siblings auditioned for the second installment of SBS reality survival program K-pop Star as Akdong Musician. The sibling duo finished in first place, later choosing to sign under YG Entertainment as they were the only label from the three to provide them the creative freedom they wished for throughout the show, believing their artistry would not be restricted or altered. 2014–2022: AKMU and military enlistment On April 7, 2014, Lee and Lee Su-hyun officially debuted as AKMU (Akdong Musician) with their studio album Play, instantly becoming a commercial success. The sibling duo has since released two more studio albums, two extended plays, one single album and ten singles i

Lee Dong-june

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Lee Dong-june (Hangul: , born 5 February 1967) is a music composer from South Korea. Career Lee’s career as a composer mostly focused on film score. Lee composed AFC Anthem in 2014 Filmography Film * 1996 The Gingko Bed - music composer * 1997 Green Fish - music composer * 2002 2009: Lost Memories - music composer * 2003 Save the Green Planet! - music composer * 2004 Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War - music composer * 2013 Miracle in Cell No. 7 - music composer * 2023 Road to Boston - music composer Awards * Grand Bell Awards in Best Music for Green Fish (and nominated for 5 other times) * Blue Dragon Film Awards - Nominated for Best Music for Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War References External links * Official website * Lee Dong-jun at KMDb.or.kr *

Lee Donghae

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Lee Donghae (born October 15, 1986), known mononymously as Donghae, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, and actor. He became a trainee under SM Entertainment after winning a prize at SM’s Youth Best Contest in 2001. Career 1986–2011: Early life and career beginnings Lee Donghae was born in Mokpo, South Korea. His grandmother helped his mother to deliver him. He has an elder brother named Lee Dong-hwa. When he was young, he wanted to become a football player. However, his father wanted him to be a singer since he gave up on his dream to become one himself. In 2001, Donghae signed with SM Entertainment after winning a prize at SM’s Youth Best Contest. Under SM Entertainment, Donghae was put in singing, dancing, and acting lessons, and was then recruited into a five-member boy band Smile, with future bandmate Leeteuk, but the idea was soon dropped. In 2004, Donghae, along with Leeteuk, was put into a twelve-member boy band named Super Junior 05. Donghae officially debuted as part of 12-member project group Super Junior 05 on November 6, 2005. He made his acting debut in Super Junior’s horror documentary Mystery 6, broadcast in early 2006. The documentary surrounds Donghae and his pe

Lee Min-hyuk (rapper, born 1990)

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Lee Min-hyuk (; born November 29, 1990), commonly known as Minhyuk or Huta, is a South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, and presenter. He is a member of the South Korean boy group BtoB. He has appeared in multiple supporting roles in television series such as A New Leaf and Sweet, Savage Family. Biography Lee Minhyuk was born on November 29, 1990, in Seoul, South Korea. He graduated from Kwangsung High School and attended Dankook University, where he majored in film studies and continued to take his master’s degree at Inha University majoring in culture management. Career Pre-debut Prior to debuting in BtoB, Lee Min-hyuk had been active as an underground music artist, going by the moniker ‘Huta’. In 2008–2009, alongside other underground artists Block B’s Zico (then Nacseo) and Park Kyung (then Holke), they released a mixtape track “Nar.BINO” () . He was also the lead for the cancelled tv series SF X Fantasy Rayforce. Lee received training for 7 months, but as a musical student, he already had solid basic skills. Lee, together with fellow members of BtoB, Seo Eunkwang, Im Hyunsik, Jung Ilhoon, and a former Cube BtoB trainee Lee Minwoo (now ex C-Clown member T.K) acted in t

Lee Seung-hoon (rapper)

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Lee Seung-hoon (; ; born January 11, 1992), also known by the mononym Hoony, is a South Korean rapper and dancer. His musical career began in 2011 as a contestant in the first installation of K-pop Star (2011–2012); where he caught the attention of YG Entertainment CEO Yang Hyun-suk and was signed under his agency. His father’s absence in Lee’s childhood was prominent due to his occupation as a businessman based in Vietnam. His eldest sister had also moved to Seoul when he was a child. Lee pursued dance at a young age and became adamant to join YG Entertainment since his enrollment in high school; however, his interest in dance resulted in severe back pains and restricted Lee to choreograph when it occurred. Lee relied on acupuncture as treatment for his nerves along his spine that suffered from irritation. 2011–2015: Career beginnings and debut with Winner 20-year-old Lee (Korean age) moved to Seoul after he completed his secondary education as an attempt to enter the music industry. His motivation heightened after he witnessed Hoya of Infinite, a fellow peer in dance from his hometown, accomplish his dreams. He further auditioned for entertainment companies but did not succeed. I

Mino (rapper)

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Song Min-ho (; born March 30, 1993), better known by the stage name Mino, is a South Korean rapper, singer-songwriter, music producer, artist and actor. After a stint in the two-year ballad group BoM from 2011 to 2013, he joined YG Entertainment, leading to his debut in 2014 with the boy band Winner, formed through Mnet survival program WIN: Who Is Next. Alongside label-mate Bobby, he is also part of the hip hop duo MOBB, formed in September 2016. As a solo artist, Mino first gained recognition as a contestant in the rap-survival program, Show Me the Money 4, where he finished as the series runner-up, and became the best-selling artist among the show’s history with his single, “Fear” (). He made his official solo debut with the studio album, XX in November 2018; its lead single, titled “Fiancé”, became his first number one hit in South Korea, spawning to number one on Gaon’s digital and streaming monthly charts for the month of December. It also became his first single to receive a platinum certification from the Korea Music Content Association (KMCA) after achieving sales of 2.5 million digital copies. In television, he is currently a series regular in tvN variety programs, New Jo

Nam Tae-hyun

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Nam Tae-hyun (; born May 10, 1994), also known as Taehyun, is a South Korean singer, songwriter, producer and actor. He was previously the main vocalist of K-pop group Winner, in which he also composed and produced. In March 2017, he founded a music label, South Buyers Club. Sometime afterwards, the label was renamed to The South. Under the label, Nam debuted the band South Club, of which he is leader, main vocalist, guitarist, and main composer. As of 2024, he transitioned into a solo artist, with his returning single ‘On the Edge of the Night.’ Life and career Pre-debut: Win: Who Is Next Prior to his debut as a member of Winner, Nam performed as a backup dancer for the YG Family Concert 2011. In 2013, he competed in the reality program Win: Who Is Next as a trainee in “Team A”, which he went on to debut as a member of group Winner. Nam co-composed and co-wrote two songs that were used to compete on the show. 2014–2015: Official debut, 2014 S/S, and television appearances Nam participated in the production of Winner’s debut album, 2014 S/S, which was released in August 2014. He co-composed three songs from the album – “But” (), “Tonight” () and his solo track “Confession” (). The

Park Sae-byul

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Park Sae-byul (; born October 24, 1985) is a South Korean indie composer and singer-songwriter. Early Life Park Sae-byul was born in Seoul and graduated from Yonsei University with a major in psychology and later received both a master’s and doctorate degree from KAIST, where she studied Artificial Intelligence with focus on music analysis. She grew up in a musical family: her mother majored in composition and her older sister is a pianist. Despite this background, Park did not receive formal training in musical training and only began pursuing music during her early years in college. Career In 2006, Park began her music career after submitting and performing demo recordings at a management company. She was noticed by Yoo Hee-yeol, who ran the agency Toy Music (now Antenna). On March 19, 2009, Park participated in the compilation album 남과 여…그리고 이야기 (Man and Woman… and Story), which featured 14 songs performed by 28 male and female artists from Korea and abroad. Park collaborated with Lee Han-cheol on the song “바야흐로 사랑의 계절” (“Now Is the Season of Love”), which was included in the album. In June 2009, Park began working as a host for MBCnet’s Culture Concert Nanjang, a program feat

Ryan S. Jhun

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Ryan S. Jhun () is a South Korean songwriter and record producer. Jhun is known for his work with various K-pop soloists and idol groups, getting his start through acts from SM Entertainment such as Shinee, Super Junior, f(x), Taeyeon, Exo, NCT, and TVXQ. He has since produced for several artists from other labels like IU, Loona, Lee Hyo-ri, U-KISS, Girl’s Day, Twice, NMIXX, Oh My Girl, Monsta X, Ive, BAE173, and Cravity, as well as songs for audition programs Produce 101 and My Teenage Girl. He founded and became chief executive officer of music production and publishing company Marcan Entertainment. He is also the CEO of Ateam Entertainment, where he produced for the label’s groups VAV and BugAboo. Background and career Jhun was born in South Korea on February 28, 1979. He moved to New York at ten years old, where he began being interested in music. He auditioned for SM Entertainment for what would eventually become boy band Shinhwa, however he was discouraged by his parents. He later traveled back to South Korea to submit his demos, with only SM accepting his music. His first released song was “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” for Lee Hyori’s album H-Logic (2010), while his first “hands

S.Coups

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Choi Seung-cheol (; born 8 August 1995), known professionally by his stage name S.Coups (), is a South Korean rapper, singer, and songwriter. Managed by Pledis Entertainment, he is the leader of the South Korean boy band Seventeen and its hip hop team, and in 2025 debuted in a sub-unit with Mingyu as CxM. Early life Choi Seung-cheol was born in Daegu, South Korea, on 8 August 1995. He attended School of Performing Arts Seoul and then enrolled in Hanyang University. In 2022, he enrolled in a Master’s degree at Anyang University. Career 2009–2014: Pre-debut Choi joined Pledis Entertainment in 2009, where he received training for the next 6 years. In 2013, he joined for the second season of Seventeen TV, an online reality show that introduced Pledis’ trainees and showed potential members of the boy group Seventeen before their official debut. The show was broadcast periodically on Ustream, where the trainees showed themselves training, singing, creating choreographies and playing games. The online show also included participation in concerts, titled Like Seventeen. As a trainee, he participated in works of other Pledis artists, including featuring on Orange Caramel’s debut album and a

Seung-Won Oh

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Seung-Won Oh (; born 1969), also known as Seung-Ah Oh, She obtained her BA and MM from Ewha Womans University, as well as another MM from the Royal Conservatory of The Hague. The Plain Dealer said that her 2001 piece So-Ri I, during its premiere at the Aki Festival of New Music in Cleveland, “brought an Asian sensibility to meditative music made from the natural harmonics of the guitar … in dialogue with the flute. She was awarded two MacDowell Colony Fellowships, each in 2003 and 2009, as well as a 2007 Goddard Lieberson Fellowship in Music. She won the first-place and audience prizes at the 2005 Seoul International Competition for Composers, as well as the 2010 award for best contemporary music. Regarding Lege Wieg/Boş Beşik, her 2010 co-production with Cilia Hogerzeil, Pieter Verstraete said that with Oh’s use of a small musical ensemble and even with her use of some Turkish makam elements, “the end result is stripped of any particular Turkish musical characteristics” In 2010, she was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship. Her work was performed by the Uzbekistan-based Omnibus Ensemble in 2011. Her 2008 piece “Canonic Phase” was performed at the 2014 Tanglewood Music Festival; The B

Shin Hye-sung

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Jung Pil-kyo (; born November 27, 1979) is a South Korean singer-songwriter. He is best known as a member of the South Korean boy group Shinhwa. The main vocalist of Shinhwa, he debuted as a solo artist in 2005 and has since released multiple albums in both Korean and Japanese. Biography 1998: Debut with Shinhwa Shin auditioned in America through Brothers Entertainment and joined Shinhwa after bandmates Andy and Eric. He officially debuted as part of Shinhwa on March 24, 1998, with a performance of their first single “해결사” (The Solver) on KM Music Tank. Since then, he has released thirteen Korean and one Japanese studio albums with Shinhwa. 2005: Solo career Shin debuted as a solo artist in 2005 with the release of his solo album entitled Love of May (오월지련, 五月之戀) in 2005. This album ranked number one on the HMV pre-order sales chart in Japan in February 2005, with 180,000 copies sold. Shin released his second album, entitled The Beginning, New Days on August 8, 2007. His song, “First Person”, was No. 1 on the K-pop Top 10 chart. His album sold 30,000 copies on its first day of release and 50,000 copies in a week. He has since released five Korean and two Japanese studio albums. In

Song Kwang-sik

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Song Kwang-sik (born March 22, 1966) is a South Korean pianist, working both as a recording and studio artist signed under the label of SM Entertainment. He has released two solo albums and have worked in several collaboration albums by SM Town, many soundtracks, scores and musicals. History 1987–1999: Early works Song’s first broadcast appearance was in 1987 at KBS through 1st College Idol Festival where he performed the song “추억한잎”. He then performed “노래하는 인형” on MBC through Riverside Song Festival in 1991 and later performed “광화문에서 너의 마음까지” on SBS through 1st Music Festival: New Generation of Idols in 1992. Song performed the song “이별 96” (Goodbye ‘96) in MBC Riverside Song Festival in 1996 and also received a special award. Song once again appeared on MBC Riverside Song Festival performing “널 사랑한단 말로” in 1999. In 1999, he helped in house sessions and album productions for the popular idol groups H.O.T. and S.E.S. 2000–2002: Breakthrough and solo albums On December 1, 2000, Song released his first solo album as a pianist entitled My Story under the label S.M. Entertainment. The album contained 15 tracks. He also participated in music composition, planning and production of colla

Sungji Hong

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Sungji Hong () (b. 1973) is a South Korean composer of contemporary music, based in the United States. Her work Missa Lumen de Lumine, a setting of the Roman-rite Catholic Mass ordinary for three voices, was written for Trio Mediæval in 2002. The trio recorded it in 2005. In a review for The Gramophone, Ivan Moody found it “rather a fragmentary affair”, though with “some dazzling moments”. Biography Sungji Hong received a 2022 Guggenheim Fellowship, a 2022 Charles Ives Fellowship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and a 2024 Civitella Ranieri Foundation Fellowship. She has received commissions from the Chicago Center for Contemporary Composition at the University of Chicago, the Fromm Music Foundation at Harvard University, the National Flute Association, the Texas Flute Society, the MATA Festival, the Tongyeong International Music Festival, the Kumho Asiana Cultural Foundation, the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, and Ensemble TIMF. She was the Manson Fellow of Composition at the Royal Academy and was made an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (ARAM) in London. She pursued her Ph.D. in composition at the University of York under the supervision of Nicola LeFanu, supp

Taeyang

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Dong Young-bae (; born May 18, 1988), better known by his stage name Taeyang () or SOL, is a South Korean singer and songwriter. He made his debut in 2006 as a member of the South Korean boy band BigBang. Following the release of several albums and extended plays with his group, Taeyang pursued a solo career in 2008, releasing his first extended play, Hot. The EP was acclaimed by critics and went to win the award for Best R&B & Soul Album at the 6th Korean Music Awards. Hot was followed by his first full-length studio album Solar (2010), which was released in July 2010 and peaked atop the Gaon Album Chart. Taeyang’s second studio album Rise (2014) peaked at number 112 on the US Billboard 200, becoming the highest ranking album by a Korean soloist in the chart, while its lead single, “Eyes, Nose, Lips”, peaked at number one on the Billboard K-pop Hot 100. “Eyes, Nose, Lips” was one of the most popular songs in South Korea during 2014 and was awarded Song of the Year at the MAMA Awards, Melon Music Awards and Golden Disc Awards. His third studio album, White Night, released in 2017, debuted at number one on the Billboards World Digital Albums and remained atop for two weeks, making T

Taeyong

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Lee Tae-yong (; born July 1, 1995), known mononymously as Taeyong (stylized in all caps), is a South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter, and dancer. He is a member and leader of South Korean boy band NCT under SM Entertainment, having debuted in the group’s first sub-unit, NCT U, in 2016 and becoming the leader of its second sub-unit, NCT 127, later that year. In 2019, he debuted as a member of the South Korean supergroup SuperM, a joint project under SM Entertainment and Capitol Records. As a songwriter, Taeyong has participated in writing over 70 songs in four languages, released mostly by NCT’s various units and himself as a soloist. He made his official solo debut in June 2023 with his EP Shalala, making him the first soloist from NCT. Life and career Early life Lee Taeyong was born on July 1, 1995, in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, South Korea. He graduated from the School of Performing Arts Seoul. 2012–2016: Pre-debut activities In 2012, Taeyong was scouted on the street by an SM Entertainment recruiter and joined the company after successfully passing the audition by singing the South Korean national anthem. In the same year, he participated in the poster shooting of the SBS television se

Unsuk Chin

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Unsuk Chin ( ; born July 14, 1961) is a South Korean composer of contemporary classical music, who is based in Berlin, Germany. Chin was a self-taught pianist from a young age and studied composition at Seoul National University as well as with György Ligeti at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg. The recipient of numerous awards, she won the 2004 Grawemeyer Award for her Violin Concerto No. 1, the 2010 Music Composition Prize of the Prince Pierre Foundation for the ensemble piece Gougalōn and the Ernst von Siemens Music Prize in 2024. In 2019, writers of The Guardian ranked her Cello Concerto (2009) the 11th greatest work of art music since 2000, with Andrew Clements describing it as “perhaps the most original and entertainingly disconcerting of all of her concertos , cast in four brilliant movements that never quite conform to type”. Biography Unsuk Chin was born in Seoul, South Korea. She studied composition with Sukhi Kang at Seoul National University and won several international prizes in her early 20s. In 1985, Chin won the Gaudeamus Foundation located in Amsterdam, with her piece Spektra for three celli, which was composed for her graduation project. She also recei

Wheein

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Jung Whee-in (; born April 17, 1995), known as Whee In or Wheein, is a South Korean singer. She rose to prominence in 2014, as a member of the Korean girl group Mamamoo. In 2017, her song “Anymore” with Jung Key, topped the Gaon Charts. In April 2018, she made her debut as a solo artist with her digital single “Easy”, peaking at number three in South Korea. In September 2019, Wheein released her first single album Soar. where she lived with her grandmother as an only child. She graduated from Wonkwang Information Arts High School. Career 2014–2020: Debut with Mamamoo and solo career In June 2014, Whee In officially debuted as a member of Mamamoo, serving as one of the group’s vocalists, in their debut single “Mr. Ambiguous” and EP Hello. She had first appeared in the group’s first R&B collaboration “Don’t Be Happy”, alongside member Solar and featuring Korean singer Bumkey, that January. Whee In featured on multiple tracks with several artists including Kiggen of Phantom and Standing Egg in 2014; CNBLUE and Louie in 2015; Monsta X and Sandeul in 2016; Jung Key, Jung Min-hyuk and Standing Egg in 2017. On April 17, 2018, Whee In debuted as a solo artist by releasing her first single

Wonwoo

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Jeon Won-woo (; born July 17, 1996), known mononymously as Wonwoo (), is a South Korean rapper and singer. Managed by Pledis Entertainment, he is a member of the South Korean boy band Seventeen, its hip hop team, and its second subunit, JxW. Early life and education Jeon Wonwoo was born in Changwon, South Korea, on July 17, 1996. He attended the School of Performing Arts Seoul and graduated in 2015. Career 2011–2014: Pre-debut Wonwoo joined Pledis Entertainment in 2011, where he would undergo singing and dancing training for four years. As a trainee, he participated from the first season onwards of Seventeen TV, an online reality show that introduced Pledis’ trainees and showed potential members of the boy group Seventeen before their official debut. The show was broadcast periodically on Ustream, where the trainees showed themselves training, singing, creating choreographies and playing games. The online show also included participation in concerts, titled Like Seventeen. 2015–present: Seventeen and solo activities In 2015, Wonwoo debuted as a member of the South Korean boy group Seventeen with the extended play 17 Carat on May 29. Within the 13-member group, he was selected to be

Woozi

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Lee Ji-hoon (; born November 22, 1996), known by his stage name Woozi (), is a South Korean singer, songwriter and record producer. Managed by Pledis Entertainment, he is a member of the South Korean boy band Seventeen, the leader of its vocal team, and part of its subunit Hoshi X Woozi. In 2022, he made his solo debut with “Ruby”. Aside from his work as a soloist and with Seventeen, Woozi has also written for other K-pop artists such as NU’EST W, Ailee, and I.O.I. Early life From a young age, Woozi studied classical music and learned to play the clarinet and other band instruments. He successfully auditioned for Pledis Entertainment and met labelmate Bumzu, a frequent collaborator on music production. He graduated from Hanlim Multi Art School and subsequently enrolled in Hanyang University. In 2022, he enrolled in a Master’s degree at Anyang University. Career 2015–present: Debut with Seventeen and solo activities On May 26, 2015, Woozi debuted in the self-producing group Seventeen with the single “Adore U”. He helped write and produce every track on their debut extended play (EP) 17 Carat. He has since become Seventeen’s main producer along with Bumzu and is credited for writing

Yesung

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Kim Kang-hoon (born Kim Jong-woon; August 24, 1984), as the older son of two; his younger brother’s name is Kim Jong-jin. Yesung has since changed his name to Kim Kang-hoon. He was born in Seoul and later moved to Cheonan, South Chungcheong. From a young age, Yesung expressed an interest in singing. In 1999, he joined a broadcast singing competition and won gold at the Cheonan Singing Competition. In 2001, Yesung’s mother, Im Bo-kyung, signed him up to audition for SM Entertainment’s Starlight Casting System, in which he impressed the judges with his “artistic voice”, and signed as trainee under SM Entertainment that same year. His label gave him the stage name Yesung which is derived from the Korean phrase “”, and can be translated as an “art-like voice”. Yesung is a tenor. Career 2005–2007: Debut, sub-unit debut and acting activities Yesung officially debuted as part of 12-member project group Super Junior 05 on November 6, 2005, on SBS’s music programme Popular Songs, performing their first single, “Twins (Knock Out)”. Their debut album SuperJunior05 (Twins) was released a month later on December 5, 2005, and debuted at No. 3 on the monthly MIAK K-pop album charts. In March 2006

Yoo Young-jin

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Yoo Young-jin is a South Korean singer-songwriter, record producer and vocal trainer formerly under SM Entertainment. He has produced and written songs for H.O.T., S.E.S, BoA, Shinhwa, TVXQ, CSJH The Grace, Super Junior, Girls’ Generation, Shinee, f(x), EXO, Red Velvet, NCT and aespa. Biography Yoo Young-jin was born in Gochang, South Korea on April 10, 1971. He has two younger brothers and sisters. He was a graduate from Jeonju High School. Career He started his singing career in 1993, with the release of his first EP, Blues in Rhythm single 1. Since then, he released a number of albums, one of them entitled Agape (2001), which is composed of 15 tracks featuring different artists under SM Entertainment. From 1996, Yoo also became a prolific producer and composer for SM, starting with H.O.T.’s first album. On March 15, 2023, it was reported that Yoo had officially left SM after 28 years under the company, as a result of the company’s management transition. Music discography Studio albums * Blues in Rhythm Album (November 1993) * Blue Rhythm (September 1996) * …지애(之愛) (Agape) (March 2001) EP * Blues in Rhythm single 1 (August 1993) Collaboration singles * “Tell Me (What Is Love)”

Yoon Jong-shin

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Yoon Jong-shin (; born October 15, 1969) is a South Korean singer-songwriter, record producer, and the CEO of Mystic Story. Early life and education Yoon completed high school at Daewon Foreign Language High School and studied Korean Language and Literature at Yonsei University, graduating in 1993. He joined a music club called Sochangsa () where he nurtured his love for music. Career In 1990, he made his debut as a guest singer for 015B. In 1991, he announced his first album Like the first time we met () as a solo singer which drew huge public interest. He has continuously collaborated with 015B since. In 2000, he made his movie debut in Can hardly stop them with a cameo along with the director, Kim. He became active in the field of entertainment and, in 2003, took a role in a sitcom Nonstop 4 where he played a professor. He owns a talent agency/record label called Mystic89, founded in 2001 with Lee Hak-hee. In 2009, he became a regular cast member in Radio Star, the main segment of MBC’s Golden Fishery, In February 2012, he made an appearance on SBS’s Healing Camp, Aren’t You Happy where he announced that he had Crohn’s disease, an incurable inflammatory bowel disease. He became

Young-ja Lee (composer)

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Young-ja Lee (; born 4 June 1931) is a South Korean music educator and composer. She is considered by many the greatest living female Korean composer. Life and career Born in Wonju, Lee studied at Ewha Womans University, the Conservatoire de Paris, and the Royal Conservatory of Brussels. She continued her education at the Manhattan School of Music. Lee endured hardships during the Japanese occupation and Korean War, but emerged to become one of the dominant forces in Korean music in the 20th century. Lee was one of the six founding members of the Korean Society of Women Composers and served as the first president of the organization. She is often called the “Face and Mother of Korean Modern Music.” Her works have been performed internationally and are available as recordings. Young-Ja Lee’s music combines elements from French, West African, Indonesian gamelan, and traditional Korean music, creating unusual intercultural compositions. Works Selected works include: *Pelerinage de l’Ame for Violin, Cello, and Piano *Trio for flute, clarinet and bassoon *Variations for piano *Lament for three kotos *Six songs *Réminiscences de la Proven References

Younghi Pagh-Paan

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Younghi Pagh-Paan (born 1945) is a South Korean composer. Life Pagh‑Paan was born in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea. She studied music at the Seoul National University from 1965 to 1971. In 1974 she received a DAAD scholarship to study in Germany and entered the Freiburg Musikhochschule, where she studied composition with Klaus Huber, analysis with Brian Ferneyhough, music theory with Peter Förtig and piano with Edith Picht-Axenfeld. After completing her studies, she took guest professorships at Graz in 1991 and Karlsruhe in 1992–93. In 1994 she became a professor of composition at the University of the Arts Bremen. She founded and serves as director of Atelier Neue Musik. She was one of the top 10 performed composers on the Internationalen Ferienkurse für Neue Musik between 1946 and 2014. Honors and awards *1978 1st Prize at the 5th Composers Seminar in Boswil (Switzerland) *1979 1st Prize at the International Rostrum of Composers (Unesco, Pads) *1979 Nan‑Pa Music Prize, Korea *1980 1st Prize of the City of Stuttgart *1980/1981 Scholarship at the Südwestfunk’s Heinrich‑Strobel-Stiftung *1985 Scholarship from the Kunststiftung of Baden-Württemberg *1995 Heidelberg Artists

Yuna (singer, born 1992)

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Seo Yu-na (; born December 30, 1992), better known by the mononym Yuna, is a South Korean singer-songwriter, actress and yoga instructor. She is a former member of the South Korean girl group AOA and its sub-groups, AOA Black and AOA Cream. Early life Seo Yu-na was born on December 30, 1992. She began playing the piano when she was seven years old, causing her to take interest in becoming a singer as an adult. At the age of 18, she traveled to Seoul alone after getting consent from her parents. She transferred schools and stayed at her uncle’s house while she went to auditions and practised singing. Her younger sister Yu-ri made her debut in 2014 with girl group Berry Good under Asia Bridge Entertainment, adopting the stage name “Seoyul”. Career Career with AOA On July 30, 2012, Yuna made her debut as a member of AOA on Mnet’s M! Countdown with their debut single album, Angels’ Story and the title track “Elvis”. AOA has released three EPs and nine singles as of June 22, 2015. She is part of AOA’s subunit “AOA Black”. In 2015, AOA traveled to Hainan where they filmed One Fine Day, a variety program in which idols/idol groups go on a “healing” vacation. They were the seventh idol gro