SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - Veteran K-pop composer Kim Hyung-seok (59), the creative force behind some of Korea’s most iconic ballads, has officially announced his candidacy for the 25th chairman election of the Korea Music Copyright Association (KMC).
Kim, whose three-decade career shaped the sound of Korean pop through hits for Lee Moon-sae, Jang Hye-jin, Shin Seung-hun, Kim Gun-mo, Jo Sung-mo, Park Jin-young, Kim Kwang-seok, and many more, said he decided to run after reviewing the association’s internal reports. “It’s time to show results, not just talk,” he said.
His campaign centers on restoring trust in the organization and ensuring fair, transparent compensation for music creators.
“I hesitated at first,” he admitted. “But after examining the financial statements and reports, I realized the situation was dire. There’s too much leakage and too many outdated systems. ”
He is pitted against composer Lee Shi-ha, best known as a member of rock duo The Cross and the creator of hits such as “Don’t Cry.” Lee currently serves as a board director of the Korea Music Copyright Association and recently appeared as a witness at the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee audit, where he addressed issues such as Chinese copyright fees, OTT royalty collection, and industry transparency and also argues for sweeping reform at the copyright body.
Calling the KMC “a large organization burdened by antiquated structures,” Kim criticized inefficiencies that persist despite rising copyright collections. “The association should protect creators’ rights,” he said. “But the current system makes it hard to trust it with money.”
If elected, Kim’s first priority would be commissioning external consultants to conduct an independent audit of the KMC’s finances and internal processes, with results made fully public to members. He also promised to open up major meetings through online broadcasts, mirroring government transparency practices.
“The association feels like a closed room because nothing is disclosed,” he said. “We need sunlight.”
Kim laid out a broad reform agenda aimed at positioning the KMC for a rapidly changing global music market. He stressed the need for updated standards in overseas copyright collection, arguing that the global success of K-pop is not reflected in the revenues actually returned to creators.
To address this, he proposed establishing a Korean Music Licensing Collective to streamline foreign royalty management and help usher in what he calls a “1 trillion won collection era.”
The candidate also pointed to ongoing conflicts with OTT platforms and domestic music services, arguing that revenue distribution should be tied to total sales, not simply the number of user accounts. “Fair sharing should match the actual value created,” he said.
Looking ahead, Kim urged the KMC to prepare for the coming AI-driven music era. Without proactive measures, he warned, global IT platforms could end up defining how AI-generated music is managed—and monetized. “We must decide how to record and manage AI compositions,” he said. “If we delay, platforms will set the standards, and creators will pay the price.”
Beyond structural reforms, Kim also emphasized the importance of creator welfare. He proposed establishing a foundation to support composers, nurture new talent, and strengthen global networks for Korean creators.
“The goal is simple,” Kim said. “Creators deserve the royalties they have rightfully earned. That’s why I am running for chairman.”
* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
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