Composer Kim Hyung-seok Enters Race for KOMCA President, Vows to Protect K-Pop Copyrights

Acclaimed composer and producer Kim Hyung-seok has officially announced his candidacy for the 25th presidency of the Korea Music Copyright Association (KOMCA). He aims to spearhead the expansion of K-pop and safeguard the rights of copyright holders.

Kim, a pivotal figure in shaping the K-pop sound through his work with top artists like Shin Seung-hun and Sung Si-kyung over the past three decades, is also a registered copyright holder with approximately 1,400 works under his name at KOMCA. He has presented a '4 Major Innovation Vision' focused on revolutionizing overseas royalty collection systems to match K-pop's global stature, expanding member welfare, establishing transparent management, and advancing AI-based platforms.

"I will stand by creators, protect their rights, and build a structure where fair value is duly compensated," Kim declared, explaining his decision to run.

Addressing the reasons for his candidacy at this critical juncture, Kim pointed to significant issues within the association. "There's a lot of money being lost, the management is lax, and royalty collection is inefficient. K-pop has grown into a 450 billion won market, but the system remains outdated," he stated. "We need to embrace the AI era and platformization, but there's hardly any plan. This is the golden time to protect the intellectual property that forms the foundation of K-pop."

He expressed his commitment to serve responsibly for four years, stating, "I had reservations about running, as it would leave little time for composing and is a position often fraught with criticism. However, after reviewing the situation extensively due to earnest requests from seniors and juniors, I found the issues to be too severe."

Kim also alluded to the existence of cartels within the association, asserting that his outsider status would allow him to implement necessary reforms. "I believe this is the golden time to act," he emphasized.

If elected, Kim plans to engage a global auditing firm for a comprehensive system overhaul and vows to restore trust through transparent management. He also aims to bridge the gap between veteran and emerging artists and establish a welfare foundation to enhance member benefits.

In response to growing distrust in KOMCA, exemplified by issues like Rosé's departure from BLACKPINK, Kim acknowledged the concerns. "Young artists have a lot of distrust, and the system is indeed outdated," he admitted. He outlined specific plans to improve overseas royalty collection, strengthen collaboration with China's Tencent, and renegotiate rates with domestic music platforms.

"I will lead substantial changes over four years without any desire for re-election," Kim asserted, adding that he would collaborate with J.Y. Park, the inaugural co-chair of the Culture and Arts Exchange Committee, to build a sustainable foundation for K-pop's long-term growth.

Netizens have reacted positively to composer Kim Hyung-seok's announcement, with comments like 'This is a much-needed decision,' 'It seems like a competent person is finally stepping up,' and 'I hope the copyright issues are resolved as K-pop's market grows.' Many express anticipation for his potential leadership.