Renowned Music Critic Kim Young Dae Dies at 48

Kim Young Dae, a prominent music critic known for elevating K-Pop criticism into a significant cultural discourse, has died at the age of 48, his family confirmed through his official social media channels.\n\nIn a statement, his family expressed, "We respectfully inform you of the passing of Kim Young Dae. We apologize for not being able to contact you individually."\n\nHis funeral wake was conducted at Chung-Ang University Hospital, with his final resting place planned at Seoul Memorial Park.\n\nThe news of his passing came as a shock, as Kim had recently appeared on a prerecorded segment of "Kim Hyun Jung's News Show" and remained active on Instagram, with his last post dated December 23. On the day the announcement was made, the broadcast aired featuring Kim discussing Christmas carols.\n\nBorn in 1977, Kim Young Dae was a graduate of Yonsei University and earned his Ph.D. in music anthropology from the University of Washington. Over the years, he gained recognition for his insightful analyses and deep understanding of the music industry.\n\nKim played a vital role in transforming K-Pop criticism from mere appreciation into a broader cultural phenomenon. Since 2023, he had served as a panelist for the Grammy Awards broadcasts and was the domestic live commentator for both the Billboard Music Awards and American Music Awards. Additionally, he contributed to the Korean Music Awards selection committee and served as a judge for the MAMA Awards.\n\nHis influence stretched beyond critique, shaping perceptions of Korean music on the global stage and enriching the discourse around contemporary music culture.