Yang Hyun-suk
{{Short description|South Korean music producer and singer (born 1970)}}
{{Expand Korean|topic=bio|date=June 2019}}
{{Family name hatnote|Yang|lang=Korean}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| image = 161110 양현석.png
| caption = Yang Hyun-suk in 2016
| alias = YG
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1970|1|9}}
| birth_place = Seoul, South Korea
| occupation = {{hlist|Entrepreneur|Record executive|rapper|dancer|record producer}}
| spouse = Lee Eun-ju ({{abbr|m.|married}} 2010)
| children = 2
| known_for = Co-founding YG Entertainment
| module = {{Infobox musical artist|embed =yes
| background = solo_singer
| genre = {{flatlist|Pop|hip hop}}
| instruments = {{hlist|Vocals|drums}}
| years_active = {{hlist|1992–2019|2023–present}}
| label = YG Entertainment
| past_member_of = Seo Taiji and Boys
| website = {{URL|yanggoon.com}}
| module2 = {{Infobox Korean name|child=yes|headercolor=transparent
| background = solo_singer
| hangul = 양현석
| hanja = 梁鉉錫
| rr = Yang Hyeonseok
| mr = Yang Hyŏnsŏk
}}
}}}}
Yang Hyun-suk (Korean: 양현석, born January 9, 1970{{cite web|script-title=ko:[캐리커처로 보는 이슈피플] 양현석, 될성부른 나무는 떡잎부터 알아본다?|url=http://www.news2day.co.kr/48153|publisher=Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation|language=ko|date=April 21, 2014|access-date=August 26, 2018}}) is a South Korean music executive, rapper, dancer, songwriter, and record producer. He rose to fame as a member of Seo Taiji and Boys during the 1990s. After the group disbanded, he founded and became the executive producer and chairman of YG Entertainment, the fourth-largest record company in South Korea.
Career
=1992–1996: Seo Taiji & Boys=
{{Main|Seo Taiji and Boys}}
Seo Taiji & Boys was formed in 1991 with Seo Taiji, Lee Juno and Yang Hyun-seok.{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}} Yang said he first met Seo when the musician came to him to learn how to dance when Yang was a dancer (Yang danced in the Korean dance crew "Spark"(which is considered the first Korean breaking dance group) and in the dancing group "{{ill|Park Nam Jung|ko|박남정}} and friends({{Korean|hangul=박남정과 친구들|labels=no}})").{{Cite web|script-title=ko:양현석 "재결합 NO! 친구로 팬으로 '서태지' 듣고파"|url=https://www.donga.com/news/article/all/20080421/8569585/1|website=Dong-a Ilbo.|date=April 21, 2008 }} "Blown away" by his music, Yang offered to join the group and they later recruited Lee who was one of the top dancers in Korea.{{cite web|title=K-pop still feels impact of Seo Taiji & Boys|url=http://nwww.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20120323001104|work=The Korea Herald|last=Cho|first=Chung-un|date=March 23, 2012|access-date=June 4, 2016}} The group was influential on the Korean music scene, famous for their single, "Nan Arayo" ({{korean|"난 알아요"}}, "I Know").{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}} The group received criticism for some of their albums, most notably for the song, "Shidaeyugam" ({{korean|시대유감}}, "Regret of the Times"), to which fan backlash led to the abolition of the Pre-censorship law in 1996. The group disbanded in 1996 and each member went on to pursue solo careers.
=1996–2019: YG Entertainment=
{{Main|YG Entertainment}}
In 1996, he established YG Entertainment and released his first solo album which featured a song composed by Seo Taiji.{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}} This was their first collaboration since the breakup.{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}} Yang Hyun-Suk has produced hugely successful artists through his company, most notably Jinusean, 1TYM, Wheesung, Gummy, Seven, Big Bang, 2NE1, Winner, iKon, Tablo, Epik High, Lee Hi, Blackpink, Treasure, BabyMonster, and Psy.
Due to recent controversies involving the Burning Sun scandal and other allegations, Yang Hyun-suk announced his plans to step down from all of his positions at YG Entertainment, and his brother Yang Min-suk announced his decision to resign as CEO of YG Entertainment on June 14, 2019.{{cite news|script-title=ko:'논란' 양현석, YG 떠난다 "모든 직책·업무 내려놓는다" [공식입장 전문]|trans-title='Controversial' Yang Hyun-suk leaves YG and "All duties and tasks are laid down" [Official statement]|url=http://www.xportsnews.com/?ac=article_view&entry_id=1126952|work=Xports News|language=ko|last1=Park|first1=So-hyun|date=June 14, 2019|access-date=June 14, 2019}}{{cite news|script-title=ko:양현석 이어 양민석도 YG 떠난다 "대표이사직 사임" [공식입장 전문]|trans-title=Yang Hyun-suk's Brother, Yang Min-suk, leaves YG "Resign from his position as CEO" [Official statement]|url=http://www.xportsnews.com/?ac=article_view&entry_id=1127011|work=Xports News|language=ko|last1=Park|first1=So-hyun|date=June 14, 2019|access-date=June 14, 2019}}
=2019–present: Conviction and YG return=
On December 22, 2022, Yang was acquitted of a charge of threatening an informant.{{cite news|title=Court Rules Yang Hyun Suk Not Guilty At First Trial For Threatening Informant In Drug Case|url=https://www.soompi.com/article/1559681wpp/court-rules-yang-hyun-suk-not-guilty-at-first-trial-for-threatening-informant-in-drug-case|work=Soompi|language=en|last1=Kim|first1=Somin|date=December 22, 2022|access-date=January 1, 2023}}{{Unreliable source?|reason=Per WP:KO/RS#UR|date=July 2024}} On November 8, 2023, his aquittal for threatening the informant was overturned by the Seoul High Court, finding that he had abused his status at the company to coerce trainees into reversing police testimonies.{{cite news|title=YG Entertainment founder gets suspended jail term for wielding coercion in attempt to conceal drug scandal|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231108010800315|publisher=Yonhap News Agency|last=Kim|first=Hyun-soo|date=November 8, 2023|access-date=March 17, 2024}} He was sentenced to 6 months in prison, suspended for 1 year. A previous aquittal for blackmail was upheld.
In December 2023, Yang discussed his "deep involvement in every aspect of BabyMonster's production", and how the youth of the members resonated with him because he had a similarly-aged daughter.{{cite news|title=Yang Hyun Suk opens up about his hands-on approach to BABYMONSTER, their upcoming song, and Ahyeon's situation|url=https://www.allkpop.com/video/2023/12/yang-hyun-suk-opens-up-about-his-hands-on-approach-to-babymonster-their-upcoming-song-and-ahyeons-situation|work=Allkpop|language=en|date=December 31, 2023}}{{Unreliable source?|reason=Per WP:KO/RS#UR|date=July 2024}}
In May 2024, YG Entertainment released a video featuring Yang announcing upcoming plans for BabyMonster and Treasure.{{cite news|title=YG Entertainment announces plans for new BABYMONSTER, TREASURE music this fall|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/yg-entertainment-plans-new-babymonster-treasure-music-this-fall-3757647|work=NME|last1=Chin|first1=Carmen|date=May 20, 2024}}
Personal life
Yang began dating former Swi.T member Lee Eun-ju in 2001, and they married in 2010.{{Cite news|title=Yang Hyun-Seok and Lee Eun-ju Dating for Nine Years|url=http://english.kbs.co.kr/Entertain/EntertainmentNews/view.html?page=1&No=7313|work=KBS World|date=March 11, 2010|access-date=April 11, 2010|archive-date=January 11, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130111200129/http://english.kbs.co.kr/Entertain/EntertainmentNews/view.html?page=1&No=7313|url-status=dead}} They have two children together, born in 2010 and 2012.{{cite news|title=Yang Hyun-suk and Lee eun-joo Welcomes Baby Daughter|url=http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/program/program_musicnews_detail.htm?No=12674¤t_page=166|publisher=KBS World Radio|date=August 5, 2010}}{{Cite web|title=Yang Hyun Suk makes a big announcement on 'K-Pop Star'|url=http://www.allkpop.com/2012/04/yang-hyun-suk-makes-a-big-announcement-on-k-pop-star}}{{Unreliable source?|reason=Per WP:KO/RS#UR|date=July 2024}}
Discography
{{see also|Seo Taiji and Boys#Discography}}
=Albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Album details |
| scope="row" | Yang Hyun-suk{{cite web|title=Yang Hyun Suk|url=https://www.melon.com/album/detail.htm?albumId=6378|publisher=Melon|language=Korean}}
|
|
|---|
Filmography
=TV Series=
Accolades
=Awards=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;"
|+The name of the award ceremony, year presented, award category, nominee(s) of the award, and the result of the award ! scope="col" | Award ceremony ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" | Nominee / work ! scope="col" | Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="3" | Gaon Chart Music Awards
| style="text-align:center" | 2013 | rowspan="3" | Producer of the Year | rowspan="4" | Yang Hyun-suk | {{won}} | style="text-align:center" rowspan="4" | {{cite web|title=Yang Hyun-suk – Awards|url=https://ygfamily.com/en/about/producer|website=YG Family|access-date=April 9, 2025}} |
|---|
| style="text-align:center" | 2014
| {{won}} |
| style="text-align:center" | 2016
| {{won}} |
| scope="row" | SBS Gayo Daejeon
| style="text-align:center" | 2003 | Record Producer of the Year | {{won}} |
=State honors=
=Listicles=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement |
| scope="col" | Publisher
! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Listicle ! scope="col" | Placement ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
|---|
| scope="row" rowspan="2" | Billboard
| 2014 | style="text-align:left" | International Power Players | Placed |
Notes
{{NoteFoot}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|http://www.yanggoon.com|Yang Hyun Seok Official website}}
{{YG Entertainment}}
{{K-pop Star}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Yang, Hyun-suk}}
Category:20th-century South Korean male singers
Category:21st-century South Korean rappers
Category:South Korean breakdancers
Category:South Korean chief executives
Category:South Korean hip-hop dancers
Category:South Korean hip-hop singers