YG`s Yang Hyun Suk says, “2014 Is the Make-it-or-break-it Year. Every Day Is a Monday.”[Excerpt from the interview]
[OSEN=손남원 기자] Last year, YG Entertainment`s head Yang Hyun Suk was named as one of the “Power Brains” of Korea by the Korea Institute of Brain Science, along with chairman Kim Beom Su of Kakaotalk, director Bong Joon Ho of Snowpiercer, baseball pitcher Ryu Hyun Jin of LA Dodgers, and Jo Jeong Rae, the author of Jungle Great. This shows that he has gained recognition for his efforts and capability as the head of YG Entertainment, the fastest growing among the 3 major entertainment companies in Korea and also an entertainment company that has established a firm place in overseas markets.
Yang Hyun Suk is becoming more aggressive in doing his business this year. As the main producer of YG, he manages big stars such as PSY, BIGBANG, 2NE1, LEE HI and at the same time, he participates in the training and the debut process of new artists, such as WINNER and the YG`s new girl group. On top of that, he is one of the judges of SBS`s popular audition program “KPOPSTAR 3” and he is also active in giving back to the community, such as by making donations to the Severance Hospital of Yonsei University.
“I`m going to work even harder in 2014. I work thinking that every day is a Monday. I`m sure you know what I mean (laughter). Nowadays, I go to work early in the morning and come back home late at night. It was hard at first because for a long time, I used to get up late in the afternoon, work all night, and then go to sleep in the morning. But I`ve made the decision to change my lifestyle so that YG could make it to the next level.”
Yang Hyun Suk`s goal is clear and simple. It is to let the world know YG`s music. He believes it is critical that YG does not become too complacent about the popularity of K-pop and is determined to win the hearts of people across the world with YG`s music.
“Since the beginning of YG Entertainment, the No.1 priority has been the stage. Singers have to give the audience the greatest and the most fabulous music and performance. This is one of the reasons why BIGBANG`s World Tour was a success. The Korean Wave or the popularity of K-pop will not last long if the overseas performances of k-pop are a meaningless jumble of various groups and artists, which is very often the case right now. This is also why we often refuse to appear in music shows on TV that do not provide a high-quality stage for YG performers.”
In the new year`s interview with OSEN, Yang Hyun Suk emphasized, “It is up to the public to decide whether the music is good or bad.” Yang Hyun Suk has stressed this many times before. At the end of the year 2012, he said, “The trend is shifting and the public is beginning to favor talented musicians rather than idol groups”, and predicted that the days of idols groups dominating popularity would be over. What he said proved to be right as talented musicians, such as PSY, Lee Juk, and Busker Busker had a great 2013, gaining much popularity.
As the judge of “KPOPSTAR 3”, Yang Hyun Suk is mesmerizing the fans with the way he delivers his comments. Whenever he starts his comments saying, “Do you think I`ll give good comments or bad comments?” with his slow and unique way of talking, the contestants cringe with tension and the viewers become excited in anticipation. The contestants who get a good feedback feel as if they are walking in the clouds but those who are scolded for their bad performance feel as if they are in hell.
Yang Hyun Suk has built a pretty much friendly image in “KPOPSTAR 3” but he is known for his sharp tongue in the TV show “WIN”. This is because Yang Hyun Suk believes he needs to rigorously train the new YG artists, who are set to enter the world of professionals, so that they gain the talent they need to succeed. This is an essential process for YG artists and it is also the secret behind the success of YG artists.
“I have nothing to give and teach to the artists who are already huge stars, such as PSY and BIGBANG. They are already pros. I just give advices. To add a little spice. I believe it is my duty to keep producing those kinds of stars.”
2014. 1. 4.
