Seo Hyun-joo, the general producer of Starship Entertainment, is headed to Cannes.
According to the Cannes Lions organizing committee on the 17th, Seo Hyun-joo will appear as a speaker at the 'Cannes Lions 2025' (Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2025, previously the Cannes International Advertising Festival) taking place in the southern French city of Cannes on the 19th (local time).
Seo Hyun-joo will participate in 'Cannes Lions 2025' representing Starship Entertainment, co-hosting a seminar on 'Harnessing the Power of K-pop' alongside Publicis Group and the CEO of Pepsi Korea, Lee Yoon-hun.
'Cannes Lions' is the world's premier and largest creativity festival, starting in 1954 and now celebrating its 72nd edition this year. The Cannes Lions organizing committee selects the corporations and speakers to host seminars each year through a rigorous screening process, and Seo Hyun-joo received an invitation to the seminar due to her recognition of the influence of K-pop and successful brand collaboration cases.
Seo Hyun-joo is a leading figure in K-pop, serving as the vice president and general producer of Starship Entertainment, where she plays a multifaceted role in artist planning, music producing, and establishing global strategies.
She founded Starship Entertainment in 2008 and has since played a key role in establishing and leading the musicality and identity of numerous artists, including K.will, SISTAR, MONSTA X, WJSN, CRAVITY, IVE, and KiiiKiii, with her delicate and strategic perspective on artists and music.
Especially notable is her planning of IVE, which is recognized as a representative figure of contemporary K-pop, successfully constructing a strong brand as an 'MZ wannabe icon' by twisting the conventional formulas that previous K-pop groups relied on with the unique concept of 'self-confidence'. Additionally, in February, she made a fresh impact on the K-pop scene once again by introducing KiiiKiii with unprecedented promotion.
Seo Hyun-joo's meticulous planning abilities and market insights have led to numerous honors. She has won awards such as the producer award at the '37th Golden Disc Awards 2023', the 'MMA', the producer award at the 'Asia Artist Awards', and the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism's commendation, among several other producer awards.
Furthermore, Seo Hyun-joo was selected in the 'Labels & Distributors' sector of 'Billboard's Women in Music 2025' announced by Billboard in the U.S. this past March, showcasing that a female producer from Korea can establish a significant presence in the global music market, leaving a symbolic footprint in the K-pop industry.
Through her role as a seminar speaker at 'Cannes Lions 2025', Seo Hyun-joo will once again promote K-pop and the K-pop industry in the global music market. Expectations are high for her steps as she sets meaningful milestones beyond Korea to the world alongside various artists.
Meanwhile, 'Cannes Lions 2025' will take place in Cannes, France, from the 16th (local time) until the 20th. Seo Hyun-joo will take the stage as a seminar speaker on the 19th alongside Publicis Group and Pepsi Korea.
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