Kim Hyun-joong to release solo album in June

Korean singer and actor Kim Hyun-joong [KEYEAST]

Singer and actor Kim Hyun-joong is set to release his first solo album in June, according to his agency KEYEAST. "We are currently in talks to release Kim's album sometime in early June," a PR official from KEYEAST told 10Asia over the phone, while declining to give further detail on the album. KEYEAST also announced in a press release today that the company will expand their business into the music industry that reaches to Japan, China and other markets overseas. "We are going to kick off our venture into the music industry with the release of Kim Hyun-joong's album in June," KEYEAST's co-C.E.O. Bae Sung-woong was quoted as saying. "We are working on creating an album that will not only do well in Korea but also in the Asian region." Earlier this week, Bae, the head of KEYEAST’s Japanese subsidiary Digital Adventure (DA), was appointed the co-C.E.O. for KEYEAST alongside existing C.E.O Shin Pil-soon. DA is a digital contents distribution company based in Japan which is in charge of Korea-Asia exclusive entertainment channel DATV established in 2009. Kim, 24, made his debut as the leader of the popular boy band SS501 in 2005. He became a household name throughout Asia, starring in KBS’ smash hit series “Boys Over Flowers” in 2009. He recently took part in a promotional event in Japan for drama “Naughty Kiss," the Korean small screen adaptation of the Japanese comic “Itazura na Kiss," in which he plays the role of Baek Sung-jo. KEYEAST, where Hallyu star Bae Yong-joon stands as the largest stockholder, is one of the top talent firms in Korea that manages the careers Lee Na-young, Choi Gang-hee, Joo Ji-hoon, Kim Soo-hyun and E Ji-ah.The firm has also produced a wide range of entertainment content for several years including the animation version of mega-hit TV series “Winter Sonata,” Bae Yong-joon’s photo essay “A Journey in Search of Korea’s Beauty” and most recently TV series “Dream High” which was a collaboration between KEYEAST and major K-pop talent agency JYP Entertainment (JYPE).The company has also joined in the establishment of a joint global agency for singers and actors named United Asia Management (UAM) formed with five other Korea’s top-class talent agencies including SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, JYPE, Star J Entertainment, and AM Entertainment.※ Any copying, republication or redistribution of 10Asia's content is expressly prohibited without prior consent of 10Asia. Copyright infringement is subject to criminal and civil penalties.Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@<ⓒ10Asia All rights reserved>