INTERVIEW Producer recounts joy, pain of Classic FM radio producing
Classic FM Producer Kim Hye-seon posing at a live radio studio at KBS, last Friday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
By Anna J. Park
Anyone in Korea who wants to listen to classical music can easily tune into KBS Classic FM, or 93.1 MHz FM in the metropolitan area of Seoul. You can listen to classical music all day long for free, without any advertisements. Classic FM radio has been such a boon for classical music lovers in Korea over the last 40 years, since the channel was launched in 1979. This year, the channel celebrates its 40th anniversary, with various special events, including a release of special compilation CDs.
The radio channel's veteran producer Kim Hye-seon is behind all these commemorative projects, and she herself is an integral part of the history of Classic FM. She spent the last 34 years at the KBS 1FM radio station and she has played a significant part in the channel's four-decade history. She is the most senior producer, who still makes a daily two-hour show for the channel ― “Classical FM Family with Kim Mee-sook,” the station's morning flagship program broadcast from nine to eleven a.m., with the host actress.
“Daily radio producing for Classic FM has been my joyful pain for the last 34 years,” Kim said during a recent interview with The Korea Times.
“Some people think that what we do is very elegant, without any hassles. But it's not true. As a radio producer, you need to take charge of every single matter from A to Z. For example, I still go to the station's music library every day, where tens of thousands of classical music CDs are stacked, to select a playlist for the next day's program. Once I'm done with the morning show, all I think about is the next day's playlist. Since my program runs every day from Monday to Sunday, it is a never-ending toil. Yet I love my work so much, that's why I call it joyful pain.”
Kim added the station's music library is where she spent most of her time at work during the last 34 years, as producers select all music playlists by themselves, other than requests from listeners. Although it is sometimes tiring to browse countless CDs all day long, she said the music library is her playground.
“Sometimes I drop by the library four to five times a day. Although many classical albums are now available as computer files, I still prefer to select them as CDs. I memorize all sections of the library by heart, and still love to discover gems for our listeners,” Kim said.
She is also responsible for broadening Classic FM's music scope by embracing other genres of world music, crossover and jazz. She launched the channel's two long-time flagship shows, “All the Music of the World” and “Jazz Diary,” which are still running.
“At first, some orthodox classical fans did not like that world music or crossover works were played on Classic FM. But these two programs have since become dearly loved by our listeners, contributing to widening our channel's reach.”
She said a special connection with listeners is what she cherishes the most.
“I love the live classical music show, because I love to communicate with the listeners in real-time. For instance, one day, I played the second movement of Rachmaninoff's piano concerto No.2 on my morning show. Such sweet, romantic pieces usually do not fit the morning program, as listeners want more energetic music. But it was a rainy day and as I expected, my selection of music received rave feedback from listeners. Moments like that ― when I feel I resonate with my audience ― make me very happy,” Kim said.
She said her job of radio producing has now completely taken over her daily routine.
“I still start my day, tuning in to our Classic FM channel. Whenever I hear good pieces of music, even during meals with friends, I jot down the name. I always think about the next day's playlist. It was not always easy to commit this way, but I feel rewarded to see my past endeavors and struggles during the last three decades have borne fruit with the FM's long-running shows,” Kim said.