![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
ashiva.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
omonatheydid
Another popular Korean singer has gone off the reservation and into the North American pop market.
Local R&B hotshot Wheesung has teamed up with super-producer and VP of A&R for Island Def Jam records Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, the singer's management camp Pop Up Entertainment announced yesterday.
The deal will see the 27-year-old release his first digital single stateside early next year with two or three as-of-yet undetermined songs.
Wheesung, most famous for his hugely popular singles "With Me," "Insomnia" and debut hit "Ahndwaena-yo," signed the agreement with Universal Music in which the record label will distribute and invest in the singer's forthcoming North American release. This the first time that an Asian singer has signed a contract with UMG to release an album in the U.S.
Acclaimed local producer and songwriter Kim Hyung-suk was instrumental as the middle man between the two camps, recommending Wheesung to an acquaintance of Jerkins.
"After getting wind of Rodney being on the prowl for a singer from Asia to work with, I recommended Wheesung as someone who can stand toe-to-toe in the American R&B market," Kim said. "After Rodney heard (Wheesung's) songs, he immediately decided to work with him -- songwriters both local and overseas are coveting his services."
Jerkins is widely regarded as one of the most respected figures in the North American music scene, and the pool of talent the 32-year-old has worked with reads like a who's who of the pop-R&B genre.
An eight-time Grammy winner, the highly sought-after Jerkins has farmed out his talents for artists like Michael Jackson (You Rock My World), Britney Spears (Overprotected), Janet Jackson (Feedback), Destiny's Child (Lose My Breath, Say My Name), Beyonce (Deja Vu) and contributed producing duties for Whitney Houston, TLC, Tony Braxton and among others.
According to Pop Up Entertainment, Wheesung is currently in the United States finishing recordings for two songs.
"The American music market isn't something that is easily approached so we are preparing in a timely and patient manner," they said in a statement. "For an Asian singer to cut a deal with a major North American record label is unprecedented, so we will tackle the industry through bold strategic marketing.
According to the statement, Jerkins calls Wheesung's vocal talents are "comparable to any top-tier American talent," and the producer is currently working to set up collaborations between the Korean singer and American stars such as Usher, Ne-Yo and Akon.
Of the deal, the singer himself said he was overjoyed with the unexpected deal and that "the higher the mountain and the more treacherous the path, the hungrier I've become to overcome those hurdles."
But whether or not the elated singer will see success is another story.
His predecessors have come and gone, tried and failed to break into the promised land that is the North American market.
"World star" Rain has yet to make a splash, Se7en has been MIA since crossing the Pacific a year ago and JYP Entertainment's Wonder Girls have been relegated to opening for popular Nickelodeon kiddy band the Jonas Brothers.
Korean singer Wheesung, left, with American producer Rodney Jerkins
Sources: The Korea Herald, asiae.co.kr
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2009-09-23 11:06 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-23 11:07 am (UTC)Though, I really love his voice, so it'll be interesting to see his English work.
no subject
Date: 2009-09-23 11:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-23 11:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-23 11:10 am (UTC)Anyway he can do what he wants, I'm not even a fan.
no subject
Date: 2009-09-23 11:30 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-23 12:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-24 12:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-23 11:17 am (UTC)How many more of their amazing artists is the US gonna take in? =D
Anyway! I'm looking forward to hearing the final track!
no subject
Date: 2009-09-23 11:21 am (UTC)ps: darkchild looks like a super creeper in that pic, holy shit. D:
pps: JYP Entertainment's Wonder Girls have been relegated to opening for popular Nickelodeon kiddy band the Jonas Brothers.
this isn't a fair statement at all. the wonder girls are just starting out, and getting a gig with the jonas brothers was a pretty big deal, considering the tweeny group is probably going to be the market they appeal to most. i don't like how this article just brushed off a pretty big accomplishment because they're not doing OMGASJILFDSAS amazing yet.
no subject
Date: 2009-09-23 02:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-23 11:28 am (UTC)At least he's under Universal, maybe it'll work out. I'm not really holding my breath though.
no subject
Date: 2009-09-23 11:37 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-23 11:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-23 11:47 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-23 12:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-23 12:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-23 05:42 pm (UTC)Se7en did well enough though as well...his video actually made it on the countdown on 106 and Park which is a major African American music show...they haven't had asians on there before so yeah...thats a major accomplishment.
no subject
Date: 2009-09-23 12:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-23 02:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-23 03:08 pm (UTC)I am excited and excited.
no subject
Date: 2009-09-23 03:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-23 03:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-23 10:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-24 02:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-24 12:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-23 03:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-23 05:11 pm (UTC)i will be checking this out
best of luck to him
no subject
Date: 2009-09-23 05:43 pm (UTC)Signing with Universal and working with freakin DARKSCHILD is pretty damn awesome. I hope he does well.
no subject
Date: 2009-09-24 01:22 am (UTC)Disney, doode!
no subject
Date: 2009-09-24 02:03 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-09-24 03:54 am (UTC)i have the best noraebang parties fyi