Kyu Lee has lengthy been a behind-the-scenes drive bridging Hollywood and Hallyu (the Korean Wave). A proud College of Washington alum and former Husky vast receiver, Lee is now the vp of Hello-Hat Leisure, the corporate behind rising Okay-pop lady group ifeye.
ifeye – the brand new Okay-pop lady group.
Over time, he’s helped join East and West — introducing South Korean rapper and songwriter PSY to American businessman and investor Scooter Braun, in addition to sparking the worldwide explosion of PSY’s tune, “Gangnam Type.”
He has additionally managed Squid Recreation and Star Wars: The Acolyte star Lee Jung-jae, and has labored on blockbuster franchises comparable to Spider-Man and On line casino Royale throughout his tenure at Sony Footage. On this dialog, Lee displays on his Seattle roots, his profession journey, and why he nonetheless makes time to offer again.
Let’s begin along with your ties to Seattle. It’s an honor to be featured in Seattle journal. This implies extra to me than some nationwide shops as a result of Seattle is house. I used to be born on a U.S. army base in Itaewon, Korea, however my household moved to Mercer Island once I was 2. My dad labored as a army contractor. I grew up there, my household nonetheless lives there, and I maintain a house within the space. I come again each couple of months. Seattle is in my roots.
You studied drama at UW. How did that form your path? I initially utilized to the enterprise faculty however didn’t get in — it was aggressive, and I panicked. Proper throughout the road was the drama division. I’d at all times had a worry of public talking, so I figured, why not confront it head-on? Drama taught me to venture confidence, talk clearly, and join with individuals. These are enterprise abilities they don’t actually educate in enterprise faculty. I even snuck into enterprise lectures to get either side. UW gave me the last word scholar expertise.
What was your early profession within the leisure business like? In 2001, I’d simply graduated and was visiting L.A. A good friend and I went to see the Oscars from throughout the road, and I one way or the other acquired swept into a bunch that included Chow Yun-fat, Michelle Yeoh, and Ang Lee. Safety thought I used to be with them and let me in. I ended up contained in the Shrine Auditorium as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon made historical past. That second modified my life. I networked on the afterparty, met a Sony government, and inside months I had my first job in advertising.
Again then, most Asians on the studio had been in IT or house leisure. I used to be one of many solely ones within the inventive division. I labored in advertising, then moved into the chairman’s workplace and ultimately worldwide. That international function led me to Korea, the place I helped localize studio releases. It was uncommon for somebody like me to be in these rooms on the time.
How did the tune ‘Gangnam Type’ shift issues for you personally? Earlier than Gangnam Type, I recognized extra as American than Korean. My mother even discouraged me from making Asian buddies, considering success meant assimilation. I barely spoke Korean and didn’t even like Korean meals. However when the tune blew up, every part modified. Folks from Italy to Brazil had been asking me, “Are you Korean? Are you aware that tune?”
Abruptly, being Korean wasn’t obscure — it was cool. Gangnam Type was greater than a viral hit. It shifted international notion. It paved the way in which for (boy band) BTS, (lady band) BLACKPINK, and even connections like Scooter Braun linking up with (music producer) HYBE. That second made me proud in a means I hadn’t felt earlier than.
You’re now serving to launch a brand new Okay-pop lady group. Inform me about that. I joined Hello-Hat Leisure to guide international technique and convey a cinematic method to Okay-pop. We constructed a sturdy trainee system, and our first group, ifeye, debuted on April 8 after years of vocal, dance, language, and media coaching.
I needed their debut to really feel totally different — extra like a film. We leaned into narrative-heavy visuals and storytelling. Followers anticipated one thing darkish and moody from the teasers, however the debut track “Nerdy” shocked individuals with its bubbly, recent power.
You’re nonetheless deeply concerned with UW and Seattle. Why is that essential to you? In 2018, I grew to become the primary worldwide trustee for UW and served two phrases. My function was about constructing bridges — connecting international alumni again to the college, particularly in Asia. Final month, I flew again to Seattle for a Okay-pop dance occasion at PopRox Studio in Capitol Hill. UW requested me to talk beforehand. I shared my story, acquired individuals energized earlier than the category, and spotlighted ifeye’s debut. These sorts of occasions assist preserve group and remind individuals what’s attainable.
I give again as a result of individuals gave me a shot. Sony Footage opened a door that modified my life. As assistant to the studio chairman, I had entry to a Rolodex you couldn’t purchase with names like Will Smith, Adam Sandler, and Quincy Jones. Quincy was my mentor beginning once I was 22. He’d sit with me for hours over guacamole, telling tales I’ll always remember. I can’t repay what I used to be given — however I pays it ahead. Giving again to UW, to Seattle, to the subsequent era — that’s how I strive to try this.
