Lee Yong-hoon

Lee Young-hoon (1960–2008) was a celebrated South Korean composer renowned for his contributions to the Korean pop ballad genre, particularly through his enduring collaboration with singer Lee Moon-sae during the 1980s and 1990s. Born on March 6, 1960, Lee rose to prominence with heartfelt and poetic compositions that redefined popular music in Korea. After meeting Lee Moon-sae through songwriter Um In-ho, Lee Young-hoon composed hit ballads like "When Love is Gone" and "Break Up Story", earning him the 1987 Golden Disc Award and cementing his status as a transformative figure in Korean music. Lee Moon-sae’s albums, featuring Lee's compositions, achieved staggering sales, with the fourth collection alone selling 2.85 million copies. Lee also ventured into orchestral music, collaborating with Russia’s Bolshoi Theatre musicians to release the Small Pieces album series. His works remain celebrated for their classical influences, evocative lyrics, and emotional depth, elevating the prestige of Korean pop music. Even after his diagnosis with colorectal cancer, Lee continued composing, notably for the musical Gwanghwamun Love Song. He passed away on February 14, 2008, at 47.

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