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Looking for Another Psy

October 9, 2013

International Music Moguls to Attend Korean Event

To Find Out If Indeed K-Pop is Much More Than Psy

By Lee Kyung-min

Psy has cemented himself as the K-pop icon. Now it is time for the world to learn that Korean music has a lot more depth to offer.

At MU:CON SEOUL 2013, a global music market and showcase that kicks off today in Hong-dae and Gangnam, the world’s music experts will seek out local talent and bring them to the world stage.

Forty-one Korean acts from different genres – hip-hop, dance/electronic, rock – will have a chance to perform in front of international music moguls, and have their talent recognized.

The participants include such artists as Jang Ki-ha and the faces, No Brain, Rainbow, Kim Ye-rim, and Soul dive.

A panel of experts and buyers will choose seven acts at the end of the two days. Those chosen will have a chance to perform at MIDEM (MarcheInternational du Disque et de l’Edition Musicale), Europe’s largest music market, and at South by Southwest, North America’s largest music market.

The musicians will also receive coaching and advice from producers.

A well-known producer Steve Lillywhite is one of the participating experts. Lillywhite has collaborated with such artists as the Rolling Stones and U2. The five-time Grammy Award winner is known for his ability to find a gem in the rough.

Another keynote speaker who is also on the panel is Seymour Stein, the Warner Bros vice-president and the Sire Records president who turned Madonna into a worldwide pop icon.

Legendary Korean singer-songwriter and guitarist Shin Joong-hyeon and Larry Carlton will instruct the selected group of musicians.

There will also be sessions about the music business and business management.

Korean-American music video director Joe Hahn from Linkin Park; guitarist Jeff Schroeder from Smashing Pumpkins; and Korean singer-songwriter Lee Sung-yol will speak about the strength of indie music, where it is headed now and where it should be going.

Content distributors and Internet service providers such as Youtube and NHN’s Naver, Korea’s biggest search engine, will hold sessions about music in conjunction with the new media.

Venues include GS XI-Gallery, Mecenatpolis Mall, Sangsang Madang Live Hall, all three in Hongik University area, and Beyond Museum and the Ellui Hotel in Gangnam, southern Seoul.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) organized the event.