How K-Pop Went Global: a Recital and Q&A with the ‘Godfather of K-Pop’ Hyung-Suk Kim

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.

The event is open to Wolfson College and University of Oxford students.