Aidan Kim, a 21-year-old singer who was born in Busan and raised in New Jersey, has emerged as the winner of the ‘Open Verse’ competition, a music contest spotlighting Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) artists.
His victory secured him a $10,000 cash prize, a distribution deal with Empire Records, and an upcoming collaboration with songwriter and producer Brian Lee, known for his work with Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, and BLACKPINK.
The path to the top was anything but smooth for Kim. He only learned a day before the final round that it required a live performance, forcing him to scramble for a band. Dissatisfied with their rehearsal, he decided to perform solo instead. Reflecting on his performance, Kim said, “I wasn’t even 70% prepared, but once I stepped on stage, I gave it my all. I think I thrive under pressure.”
Kim’s journey into music started with piano lessons as a child, something he reluctantly took up at first. It wasn’t until he started uploading tracks to SoundCloud that he found his passion for creating music. Influenced by rock legends like Bon Jovi, Metallica, and Ozzy Osbourne, as well as K-pop icons such as G-Dragon, Kim developed a unique musical style. Japanese fashion and the lyrical artistry of Verbal from Teriyaki Boyz have also shaped his artistry.
At 16, a publishing company introduced Kim to a mixing engineer, marking his entry into studio recording. Two years ago, he moved to Los Angeles, where he now collaborates with fellow musicians and enjoys the city’s collaborative spirit. “In LA, people are more open to working together,” he said. “Even sending a message on Instagram can lead to opportunities.”
The ‘Open Verse’ finals weren’t just a showcase of talent but also a turning point for Kim. During the competition’s mentoring session, he met Brian Lee, a figure Kim has admired since middle school. “Talking with Brian felt like speaking to a future version of myself,” he said. “His song ‘Let Me Love You’ deeply influenced me, and our conversation gave me the confidence to trust in my journey.”
Kim, who aims to break into the Billboard Top 10, has a clear message for aspiring artists: “Don’t let other people’s opinions sway you. Stay on your path and see it through.”
BY YOONJAE JUNG [jung.yoonjae@koreadaily.com]
