K-pop Producer Kim Hyung-seok joins Oxford’s Global Artists Programme
The artist is set to begin activities at Oxford after joining the programme
Renowned Korean producer Kim Hyung-seok has been selected as one of the first six artists in the ‘Global Artists Program.’ He will start his research and creative work at Oxford University next month as a visiting scholar at Kellogg College.
Kim is widely recognised as an ‘innovative artist’ for his contribution to the global success of Korean pop music (K-pop).
Kim Hyung-seok is a famous South Korean music producer with more than 1,400 songs. He has worked with many top Korean artists, and his famous works include the soundtracks for the movie My Sassy Girl and the drama All In. Kim is also the mentor of Bang Si-hyuk, the founder of Hybe Corporation (the company behind BTS), and he has made a big impact on the global success of K-pop.
Kim Hyung-seok delivered a speech titled The Future of K-pop: From the Perspective of the Godfather of K-pop at Oxford University’s Sheldonian Theatre in June. In July, he collaborated with Professor Jieun Kiaer to create and release “Ganada Song” to promote the Korean language.
Kim Hyung-seok let the Oxford research team use 1,400 of his songs for free, and Professor Jieun Kiaer’s team said they are excited to work with him more. As a global artist, Kim will visit several Oxford colleges to meet scholars and share ideas. On December 4, he will give a special lecture at Wolfson College, Oxford, to discuss how K-pop and AI can work together and will also perform his own music at the event.
Producer Kim Hyung-seok, through his company, stated, “This is not recognition for me as an individual, but for K-pop as a whole.” He said that setting up a Hallyu research center at Oxford University will help support the sustainable growth of K-pop culture. He added, “At the world’s top research institution, I will focus on ‘sustainable Hallyu’ and make sure it brings meaningful results.”