Ken Lim
Encyclopedia
Ken Lim is an album producer, composer
, publisher, artist manager and concert promoter from Singapore
who came under the spotlight in 2004 as a chief judge of the Singapore Idol
series. His remarks and deadpan expressions invariably drew attention with his comments.
Ken has appeared in numerous magazine covers and press articles and is a respected & well known all rounder entertainment icon in the Singapore music industry.
Known to excel not only in one but in many areas of the music and entertainment industry.
Famous on being very particular on the delivery on his task, he has had more than two decades of significant contribution with regards to the development of Singapore's pop culture.
He currently runs one of Singapore's record companies, Hype Records, a set-up that promotes music and artists across the Asia Pacific region with record production, recording facilities, artist management, concert promotions, campaign management, publishing and television and film productions.
Reputed to be a godfather to the local music and entertainment industry, Ken represented Singapore in numerous song festivals and competition through the years. Amongst them, the first Asian Idol
competition in Jakarta, Indonesia as the last judge. While the other judges were praising other contestants to win, Ken predicted the unlikely victory of Hady Mirza
. During the audition rounds of the third season of Singapore Idol, Ken also accurately foretold, despite opposition from the other judges, that one of the contestants, Sylvia, would be amongst the top 10 out of the thousands of participants that auditioned.
Ken is married to Julia Hsu, a Canadian and Singapore PR who is currently a Global Head at Standard Chartered Bank. They met while she was a successful recording artiste more than 26 years ago. They have two young boys named Jax and Kaz & attended Anglo Chinese School.
, Gurmit Singh
, Kym Ng
, Zann, Dreamz FM, Rui En
, Jeannete Aw, etc.
He is also responsible for exporting many local artistes in the likes of Fann Wong
, Phyllis Quek
, Michelle Saram
to Taiwan
, Hong Kong
, Japan
, Malaysia and China
.
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, publisher, artist manager and concert promoter from Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
who came under the spotlight in 2004 as a chief judge of the Singapore Idol
Singapore Idol
Singapore Idol is a television show on Channel 5 of MediaCorp TV. It is a competition among undiscovered singers in Singapore. Like others in the Idol series, it is modelled after Pop Idol. The current judges are singer/songwriter Dick Lee and record producers Florence Lian and Ken Lim. Previous...
series. His remarks and deadpan expressions invariably drew attention with his comments.
Ken has appeared in numerous magazine covers and press articles and is a respected & well known all rounder entertainment icon in the Singapore music industry.
Known to excel not only in one but in many areas of the music and entertainment industry.
Famous on being very particular on the delivery on his task, he has had more than two decades of significant contribution with regards to the development of Singapore's pop culture.
He currently runs one of Singapore's record companies, Hype Records, a set-up that promotes music and artists across the Asia Pacific region with record production, recording facilities, artist management, concert promotions, campaign management, publishing and television and film productions.
Reputed to be a godfather to the local music and entertainment industry, Ken represented Singapore in numerous song festivals and competition through the years. Amongst them, the first Asian Idol
Asian Idol
Asian Idol is a reality singing competition, which featured winners of Idol competitions from six Southeast and South Asian countries consisting of India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam...
competition in Jakarta, Indonesia as the last judge. While the other judges were praising other contestants to win, Ken predicted the unlikely victory of Hady Mirza
Hady Mirza
Hady Mirza is a Singaporean singer of Bugis descent, with his grandparents hailing from Sulawesi. He is the winner of the second season of the reality TV show Singapore Idol...
. During the audition rounds of the third season of Singapore Idol, Ken also accurately foretold, despite opposition from the other judges, that one of the contestants, Sylvia, would be amongst the top 10 out of the thousands of participants that auditioned.
Ken is married to Julia Hsu, a Canadian and Singapore PR who is currently a Global Head at Standard Chartered Bank. They met while she was a successful recording artiste more than 26 years ago. They have two young boys named Jax and Kaz & attended Anglo Chinese School.
Timeline of Achievements
- 1977 - Started career at the young age of 13 when he was awarded a scholarship from The Yamaha School of Music and participated actively in concerts and performances all over Asia;
- 1981 - Awarded ‘The Most Outstanding Composition Award’ at the Asia Popular Song Festival at the age of 17;
- 1984 - Represented Singapore at the Seoul Song Festival held in KoreaKoreaKorea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
with composition ‘I Live In The past’; - 1985 - Awarded the ‘Most Outstanding Television Theme Song’ for 2 consecutive years;
- 1987 - Composition featured in Miss Universe International Pageant opening segment hosted by Singapore;
- 1991 - Commissioned to produce the official theme songs for the XI Asian Games in Beijing;
- 1991 - Promoted Hideki Saijo's Concert
- 1993 - Commissioned to produce XVII Sea Games in Singapore;
- 1994 - Released debut album entitled ‘Empyrean’ under the EMI International label. Was not successful;
- 1995 - Secured a record-breaking recording contract for Stella Chang Chin Fang with EMI International;
- 1996 - Was the producer of Fann WongFann WongFann Woon Fong , better known by her stage name Fann Wong, is a Singaporean actress, singer and model.At Singapore's Star Awards 1995, Fann became the first actress to win both the Best Actress and Best Newcomer awards in the same year...
's debut album, FanntasyFanntasyFanntasy is the first album by Fann Wong , released on 6 October 1996.-Track listing:#无欲无求#别让情两难#心事#每个梦#假戏真作#星光#到底要不要爱情#爱曾经来过#吹散为你留下的梦#别让情两难...
, which spearheaded her entry into regional Asian showbiz; - 1998 - Commissioned by the Television Corporation of Singapore to write, produce and brand its channel with the theme ‘Your World at Home on 5’;
- 1999 - Executive Producer and wrote the National Song 'Together'. The MV was directed by Tsui Hark
- 2000 - Executive Producer for the TV series 'Chemistry'
- 1999 - Composed the movie soundtrack for the Hong KongHong KongHong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
films The Truth About Jane and SamThe Truth About Jane and SamThe Truth About Jane and Sam is a 1999 Hong Kong film co-produced by Hong Kong's Film Unlimited and Singapore's Raintree Pictures...
and When I Fall in Love... with BothWhen I Fall in Love... with BothWhen I Fall in Love... with Both is a 2000 Hong Kong anthology film consisting of three separate stories. Directed by Samson Chiu, the film stars Hong Kong actresses Michelle Reis and Theresa Lee together with Singaporean actress Fann Wong....
, both starring Fann WongFann WongFann Woon Fong , better known by her stage name Fann Wong, is a Singaporean actress, singer and model.At Singapore's Star Awards 1995, Fann became the first actress to win both the Best Actress and Best Newcomer awards in the same year...
. - 1999 - Wrote the National Song 'Together'
- 2000 - Produced Singapore's millennium song Moments of MagicMoments of MagicMoments of Magic is Singapore's official millennium song.Performed by a pop trio comprising Singapore's Fann Wong, Tanya Chua and Elsa Lin, the catchy song was released on an AVCD format in Singapore....
, starring Fann WongFann WongFann Woon Fong , better known by her stage name Fann Wong, is a Singaporean actress, singer and model.At Singapore's Star Awards 1995, Fann became the first actress to win both the Best Actress and Best Newcomer awards in the same year...
, Tanya ChuaTanya ChuaTanya Chua is a Golden Melody Award-winning Singaporean singer and songwriter.-Music career:A former business administration student at Singapore Polytechnic, Chua started out singing in English, releasing her first English album, Bored, in 1997...
and Elsa LinElsa LinElsa Lin is a Singaporean singer. She performed Singapore's official millennium song Moments of Magic. Performing in a pop trio comprising Singapore's Fann Wong, Tanya Chua and herself, the millennium song was released as a CD in Singapore....
. - 2001 - Commissioned by Ministry of Information and the Arts to produce the new version of the National Anthem of Singapore, 'Majulah Singapura';
- 2001 - Wrote 'The ‘V’ in you’ (performed by Dreamz FM, a local pop group), to commemorate the international year of volunteers’’ (Was the first Asian composition to be presented and performed at the United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Assembly in New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. This invitation was both Singapore’s and Asia’s first cultural presence at the United Nations); - 2001 - Promoted Buena Vista Social Club's Concert
- 2002 - Partnered Tsui Hark, Hong Kong’s top film director, and produced the world’s first cyber recording artistes, AM FM and won the Siggraph awards in New Orleans.
- 2002 - Promoted F4's Concert
- 2003 - Consultant producer - 'True Hearts Charity Show' for Community Chest.
- 2004 - Became a Judge of Singapore IdolSingapore IdolSingapore Idol is a television show on Channel 5 of MediaCorp TV. It is a competition among undiscovered singers in Singapore. Like others in the Idol series, it is modelled after Pop Idol. The current judges are singer/songwriter Dick Lee and record producers Florence Lian and Ken Lim. Previous...
- 2004 - Promoted Kazumasa Oda's Concert
- 2004 - Promoted Faye Wong's Concert
- 2004 - Consultant producer - 2nd 'True Hearts Charity Show' for Community Chest.
- 2005 - Executive Producer for the TV Series 'Shooting Star"
- 2005 - Appointed Starhub's Ambassador
- 2005 - Produced Taufik and Olinda's albums
- 2005 - Produced the National Song "Reach out for the Skies"
- 2005 – Named “Music Producer & Extraordinaire “ in the Singapore Book of Records 2005
- 2006 - Returned as judge for Singapore Idol season 2
- 2007 - Promoted Olivia Newton John's concert
- 2007 - Was one of 2 primary judges alongside Dick Lee for reality show "Live The Dream"
- 2007 - Became a Judge of Asian IdolAsian IdolAsian Idol is a reality singing competition, which featured winners of Idol competitions from six Southeast and South Asian countries consisting of India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam...
, representing Singapore. - 2008 - Promoted Lee Hom's Concert
- 2008 - Promoted Jay Chou and Lee Hom's concerts
- 2009 - Appointed 7-11 Spokesperson
- 2009 - Promoted Eason Chan's Concert
- 2009 - Consultant producer - 3nd 'True Hearts Charity Show' for Community Chest
- 2009 - Promoted GrassHopper's Concert
- 2009 - Returned as chief judge for Singapore Idol Season 3 & wrote the winning song 'Touched by an angel".
- 2010 - Promoted first ever public concert at Resort World with US artiste "Boys Likes Girls"
- 2010 - Executive Producer and song writer of Everyone - 2010 Summer Youth Olympics Games theme song performed by Jody Williams (Afrikaans singer), Jessica MauboyJessica MauboyJessica Hilda Mauboy , is an Indigenous Australian R&B singer-songwriter and actress. In 2006, Mauboy was the runner-up on the fourth season of Australian Idol, she had auditioned for the talent show in Alice Springs to pursue a recording career...
, Tabitha Nauser, Steve Appleton (musician)Steve Appleton (musician)Steve Appleton is a British singer, songwriter and record producer.At the age of fifteen, he began playing piano in a Soho restaurant performing his own material and covers from the likes of Elton John and Billy Joel...
and Sean KingstonSean KingstonSean Kingston is a Jamaican-American singer. He pursued a music career and debuted in 2007 with the album Sean Kingston.-Early life:...
. - 2010 -Promoted Eason Chan's Duo Concert
- 2010 -Promoted Rainie Yang's 1st Concert in Singapore
- 2010 -Promoted Anzenchitai's Concert in Singapore
- 2010 -Promoted Fong Fei Fei's Concert in Singapore
- 2010 -Promoted Grasshopper's Concert in Singapore
- 2011 -Promoted The Cranberries in Singapore
- 2011 -Promoted B.O.B in Singapore
Grooming of Local Talents
Discovered and developed numerous talents in the likes of Stella Chang Chin Fang, JessicaJessica
- Given name :* Jessica , popular first name for girls in many English-speaking countries * Iscah, in the Bible , daughter of Haran...
, Gurmit Singh
Gurmit Singh
Gurmit Ottawan Singh Gurmit Ottawan Singh Gurmit Ottawan Singh (born March 24, 1965; is a popular Singaporean actor, host and comedy performer. He is best known for his role in Phua Chu Kang Pte Ltd, and is one of the leading artistes in MediaCorp.-Life:...
, Kym Ng
Kym Ng
Kym Ng is a Singaporean actress with MediaCorp. She began with a singing career, but switched to hosting later and joined the then Singapore Broadcasting Corporation in Year 1995. She is often on the Chinese language channels and is famous for her direct connection with the audience and her...
, Zann, Dreamz FM, Rui En
Rui En
Rui En is a Chinese Singaporean singer-actress based in Singapore currently.Rui En was talent-spotted while appearing in SingTel's popular SingTel hi!Card commercial as the iconic "running girl" in 2001. She was offered a general management contract by Artiste Networks, a section of Hype Records...
, Jeannete Aw, etc.
He is also responsible for exporting many local artistes in the likes of Fann Wong
Fann Wong
Fann Woon Fong , better known by her stage name Fann Wong, is a Singaporean actress, singer and model.At Singapore's Star Awards 1995, Fann became the first actress to win both the Best Actress and Best Newcomer awards in the same year...
, Phyllis Quek
Phyllis Quek
Phyllis Quek is a model-turned-actress in Singapore. She first came into the public eye after entering Star Search 1995, a showbiz entry competition in Singapore...
, Michelle Saram
Michelle Saram
Michelle Alicia Saram is a singer and actress from Singapore. She is notable for being one of the very few celebrities of Chindian descent, her father being Indian and mother being Chinese. She is also one of the few actresses who have played leading roles in Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong...
to Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Malaysia and China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.