Paul Kim (폴킴)

South Korea's Paul Kim became a household name with his emotionally evocative take on K-pop with songs such as 2018's "Me After You" and "Every Day, Every Moment" earning him top chart positions. Kim also issued a collection albums and EPs including 2022's Star. Born in South Korea but raised partly in New Zealand, Kim had attended university in Japan before embarking on his singing career. Debuting in 2014 with the singles "Would You Like Some Coffee?" and "Ex," Kim went on to sign a deal with Neuron Music to further his career. 2016 saw the release of his debut EP, Song Diary, which would hit number 22 on the Korean charts, with its single "Rain" peaking at 27. The follow-up, Her, appeared at the end of the year and after a slew of singles, Kim dropped the first part of his debut album, The First Album, Pt. 1: The Road, in 2017. The second part, Tunnel, appeared just a few months later in early 2018, and spawned several singles. That same year, Kim hit the top of the Korean charts with the non-album track "Me After You," and issuing "Every Day, Every Moment" -- the theme to the TV show Should We Kiss First? -- seeing his profile explode. Both singles went on to earn Kim awards including Best Male Solo Artist, Music Steady Seller of the Year, and Best Original Soundtrack at the Genie Music Awards in 2018 and 2019. Kim's sophomore album, The Second Album, Pt. 1: Heart, One, which was once again released in two parts, appeared in 2019 with the second part, Heart, Two, following in 2020. Kim continued to release non-album tracks, consistently hitting the Korean charts and earning himself numerous award nominations and wins. In 2022 he delivered his third EP, Star, while also acting in a musical adaptation of the story of Jack the Ripper. ~ Rich Wilson, Rovi