Keystone Entertainment CEO talks Keystone Boyz (now BLANK2Y), forming Omega X & 4th Gen Kpop's Battle
We talked to Former CEO of Spire Entertainment (OmegaX) and founder of Keystone Entertainment - Director Sam Choi. He discusses his new boygroup Keystone Boyz, the fierce competition they face, and nurturing the latest wave of talent to survive the 4th gen “Red Ocean”.
Watch the full Interview :
Tell us your story so far.
“I'm Sung-mook Choi, the founder and CEO of Keystone Entertainment. I have been working on the globalization of kpop for the past 20 years. My experience includes serving as the broadcast producer at a music broadcasting station called Channel V.
As a director, I directed over 1,500 concerts and large festivals, such as the New Year's countdown in Korea. These events included popular KPOP artists and other top Korean singers. My most recent experience was serving as the CEO of Spire Entertainment. I was responsible for 360 degree of the business, which included the success of the 11-member boy group, OmegaX. Leveraging my experience, I founded Keystone Entertainment, where we are currently forming a 9-member boy group.”
What inspired you to become the CEO of an entertainment company?
“Within the KPOP industry, which is loved by people all over the world, there are so many talented young artists who do not succeed. I remember casting OmegaX and recalling how they survived the fierce competition among talented artists. Over a 20 year period, I underwent various experiences in this field before landing in the KPOP entertainment business.”
You have recently founded Keystone Entertainment - what are your goals, missions and inspiration for the company?
“For every member of the boy groups I create, I intend to heal their wounds and nurture them into artists loved by people all over the world. That is why I entered the KPOP industry.”
What is your day-to-day routine like as a CEO?
“I have been working around the clock, 24 hours a day to help establish the company. This includes but is not limited to attending investment company meetings, auditions related to member casting, and preparations for A&R and albums. We are working hard to introduce Keystone Entertainment's first artist in the first half of next year.”
Teasers have begun for the Keystone Boyz Project - what can we expect from your rookie group?
“You can expect different musical concepts and performances from the groups you've seen in the past. Many 4th generation idol groups are in a fierce competition to claim the KPOP throne after BTS. In order to survive in this "Red Ocean” and be loved by the public for a long time, a differentiation from previous strategies is needed. Hence, we are receiving songs from many domestic and foreign producing teams, including the United States and Japan.
We have received about 1,000 songs so far. To find the "Title" main song among them, even at this moment, I am sitting at my office desk listening to songs until dawn.I want to uphold the expectations of Keystone and prove how unique our artists are.”
Do you have any advice for readers that might like to work in the K-Pop industry - whether on the corporate side or as an idol?
“As I mentioned before, even very skillful teams may not be successful. The difference between success and failure is very subtle. That 1% difference is the deciding factor. Skill and confidence comes from sweat and hard work. Members who have been preparing for a long time are less likely to fail.
Many personnel who currently work in entertainment were or still are fans of KPOP culture. So, If you continue to love KPOP like you do now, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with Korean entertainment companies through performance promoters or PR agencies within each country, or to debut as a singer locally through the KPOP training and nurturing system.”
