When experts analyze the worldwide success of K-pop, all point to one watershed moment in 2012: Psy's music video Gangnam Style was uploaded to YouTube. As YouTube became the main platform for music video release, K-pop broke through the language and cultural barriers and reached out to the world. Through YouTube, K-pop songs are watched and shared around the globe, and Korean artists communicate with their ever-increasing and dedicated fans everywhere.
Robert Kyncl, Chief Business Officer of YouTube, discusses how YouTube grew its global viewership and impact while promoting the cutting edge of K-culture, especially K-pop, to the world. Joon Park, the leader of the first generation idol group g.o.d., and producer Robert Ock will join the conversation to be moderated by Eva Pilgrim of ABC News.
This program is made possible by the generous support from YouTube.
YouTube & K-pop with Robert Kyncl
Thursday, July 22, 2021 | 8 PM (EDT)
The Korea Society
350 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10017
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Robert Kyncl is the Chief Business Officer at YouTube where he oversees global content and product partnerships as well as operations for the platform. This includes management of the YouTube Partner Program, which is the largest partner ecosystem to grow and support creators, artists and media companies in the world. Previously, Robert was Vice President of Content at Netflix. Robert and his wife, Luz, run the Kyncl Family Foundation focused on supporting underserved communities. Robert has been listed in Variety’s Dealmakers Impact Report as one of their “disruptors”, Vanity Fair’s New Establishment List, Billboard’s Power 100 List and AdWeek’s 50 List of Vital Leaders in Tech, Media and Marketing. Robert holds a Masters of Business Administration from Pepperdine University and a B.S. in International Relations from SUNY New Paltz. He resides in Los Angeles with his wife and two daughters.
Joon Park is a Korean-American singer, actor, and entertainer based in South Korea. He was the leader and rapper of g.o.d., the first generation idol group. Currently, he is the host of YouTube 'WASSUP MAN' with 2.35 million subscribers and YouTube 'CARTUREMAN' with 120,000 subscribers.
Robert Ock is a musician, writer and producer living in Toronto, Canada. Most recently he had the privilege of working with Banger Films to produce the YouTube Originals series "K-Pop Evolution". Robert's work as a studio and live musician has taken him across Canada, the US, the UK, France and Switzerland as well as featured performances at the NXNE and Canadian Music Week festivals. Parallel to his creative endeavors Robert spent over 17 years as a senior official within the provincial government, drafting and implementing policy and legislation.
ABOUT THE MODERATOR:
Eva Pilgrim is the co-anchor of weekend GMA and a correspondent for ABC News. In her time with the network she’s won multiple Emmys as she’s traveled the world covering stories. She was sent to the UK after terrorists launched back to back attacks in Manchester and in London. She was in Charlottesville, VA when white nationalists marched on the University of Virginia campus. Eva was part of the team covering the 2020 election following the candidates on the campaign trail until the pandemic shut the country down. For the last year, she’s been covering the coronavirus pandemic -- the shutdowns, the reopening, and the science. Eva was born in Seoul, South Korea. She grew up in South Carolina.
