Ken Lim

This biographical article is written like a résumé. Please by revising it to be neutral and encyclopedic. (February 2020)

Ken Lim
Singapore Idol and The Final 1 judge
Born	Singapore
Occupation	Composer, music producer, publisher, artiste manager, concert promoter, campaign management and concepts development.
Years active	1977–present
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese	林智強
Simplified Chinese	林智强
showTranscriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Lín Zhìqiáng

Ken Lim aka Lin Zhiqiang (born 1964) is composer, music producer, publisher, artist manager, concert promoter, campaign management and concept development.

Early life and career[]

Ken Lim runs one of Singapore's most established record companies, Hype Records,^[1] a set-up that does PR & Campaign concepts, Concert Promotions, Artiste & Music Promotions across Asia Pacific region, Artiste Management and TV & film productions.

With more than four decades of significant contribution with regards to the development of Singapore's pop culture, he excels not only in one but in many areas of the music and entertainment industry.

Reputed to be a godfather to the local music and entertainment industry since the 1980s, Lim represented Singapore in numerous song festivals and competition since he was 16. Amongst them, Asia Song Contest, Seoul Song Festival, World Popular Song Festival.

Lim began his career behind the scenes until he agreed to be the chief judge of the Singapore Idol.^[2] He drew substantial attention and came under the spotlight with his remarks and deadpan expressions.

Known to be brutally honest^[3] and direct with his comments, he is noted for being extremely particular on the delivery of his task.

It is known that during the first Asian Idol^[4] competition in Jakarta, Indonesia, Ken being the last judge, predicted the unlikely victory of Hady Mirza while the other judges were praising other contestants to win. On another occasion, during the audition rounds of the third season of Singapore Idol, he accurately foretold that one of the contestants, Sylvia, would be amongst the top 10 out of the thousands of participants that auditioned.

Ken has appeared in numerous magazine covers and press articles over the years and is a respected and well-known all-rounder icon.

Since 2010, Lim is also very much involved in communications and branding for many corporations and public campaigns. Projects were in the likes of Pioneer Generation, Skillfuture, Committee for Future Economy, Lee Kuan Yew Bilingual Fund,^[5] Passion Made Possible, etc.

Grooming of local talents[]

Discovered and developed numerous talents in the likes of Stella Chang, Rui En, Jeanette Aw, Taufik Batisah etc. & also responsible for exporting many local artistes Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, and China.

Personal life[]

Ken is married to Judy Hsu, a Taiwanese Canadian and Singaporean PR who is currently the Regional Chief Executive Officer (ASEAN & South Asia) of Standard Chartered Bank. They met while she was a successful recording artiste more than 36 years ago. They have two young boys, Jax and Kaz, who attend Catholic Junior College and Anglo Chinese School, respectively.

Timeline of réussite[]

• 1977 – Started career at the young age of 13 when awarded a scholarship from The Yamaha School of Music

• 1997 – Participated actively in concerts and performances all over Asia;

• 1978 – Employed as an engineer and record producer at EMI Recording Studios while still attending school;

• 1978 – Produced recording artistes in the likes of Sudirman, Tracy Huang, Sarah Chang, et cetera;

• 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 Korea with composition 'I Live in the past';

• 1985 – Awarded the 'Most Outstanding Television Theme Song' for 2 consecutive years;

• 1987 – Composition was 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;

• 1992 – Promoted Rollins Band Concert;

• 1993 – Commissioned to produce the official theme songs for the XVII SEA Games in Singapore;

• 1994 – Released self-debut instrumental album entitled 'Empyrean' under the EMI Taiwan International;

• 1995 – Wrote songs for Sandy Lam, Stella Chang, Power Station, Linda Lan, et cetera;

• 1995 – Secured a record-breaking recording contract for Stella Chang with EMI International;

• 1996 – Produced Fann Wong's debut album, Fanntasy, and spearheaded her entry into regional Asian showbiz;

• 1998 – Commissioned by the Television Corporation of Singapore to write, produce & brand its channel with the theme 'Your World at Home on 5';

• 1999 – Composed the soundtrack for the Hong Kong films The Truth About Jane and Sam^[6] and When I Fall in Love...with Both;

• 1999 – Won Best Movie Theme Song at Compass.;

• 1999 – Wrote the National Day Song 'Together'.^[7] The song was performed by artists Dreamz FM and Evelyn Tan and the MV was directed by Hong Kong director Tsui Hark;^[8]

• 2000 – Executive Producer for the TV drama series 'Chemistry';^[9]

• 2000 – Produced Singapore's millennium song Moments of Magic, starring Fann Wong, Tanya Chua and Elsa Lin.;^[10]

• 2001 – Commissioned by Ministry of Information and the Arts to produce a new version of the National Anthem of Singapore, 'Majulah Singapura'^[11] • *this was the official version between 2001-end 2019;

• 2001 – Wrote 'The 'V' in you' (performed by Dreamz FM, a local pop group), to commemorate the international year of volunteers • The 1st Asian composition to be presented and performed at the United Nations Assembly in New York and Asia's first cultural presence at the UN;

• 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

• 2002 – Won the Siggraph awards in New Orleans for the cyber recording artiste video;

• 2002 – Promoted F4's Concert;

• 2003 – Consultant producer – 'True Hearts Charity Show' for Community Chest;

• 2004 – Became a Judge of Singapore Idol;

• 2004 – Consultant producer – 2nd 'True Hearts Charity Show' for Community Chest;

• 2004 – Promoted Kazumasa Oda's Concert;

• 2004 – Promoted Faye Wong's Concert;

• 2005 – Executive Producer for the TV Series 'Shooting Star";

• 2005 – Produced the National Day Song "Reach out for the Skies";^[12]

• 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 – Named "Music Producer & Extraordinaire " in the Singapore Book of Records;

• 2006 – Returned as a judge for Singapore Idol season 2;

• 2007 – Was one of 2 primary judges alongside Dick Lee for a reality show "Live The Dream";

• 2007 – Promoted Olivia Newton-John's concert;

• 2007 – Became a Judge of Asian Idol, 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 – 3rd '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"^[13]

• 2010 – Promoted first ever public concert at Resort World by US artiste "Boys Like Girls"^[14]

• 2010 – Executive Producer and songwriter of Everyone – 2010 Summer Youth Olympic Games theme song • performed by Jody Williams, Jessica Mauboy, Tabitha Nauser, Steve Appleton & Sean Kingston.;^[15]

• 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 2 P.M's Concert in Singapore;

• 2011 – Promoted The Cranberries' concert in Singapore;

• 2011 – Promoted B.O.B's Concert in Singapore;

• 2011 – Promoted Good Charlotte's Concert in Singapore;

• 2011 – Music Changes Lives Event;^[16]

• 2011 – Consultant producer – 'True Hearts Youth Charity Show' for Community Chest;

• 2012 – Promoted Amei's Concert in Singapore;

• 2012 – Promoted LeeHom's Concert in Singapore;

• 2013 – Creator and Judge of The Final 1 (Season 1);^[17]

• 2013 – Promoted Amei's Concert in Singapore;

• 2013 – Promoted Adam Lambert's concert in Singapore;

• 2014 – Promoted Il Divo's Concert in Singapore;

• 2014 – Promoted Siti Nurhaliza's Concert in Singapore;

• 2015 – Promoted Anuar Zain's Concert in Singapore;

• 2015 – Executive Producer and producer for Let's Think About It Season 1 (Social Cohesion/Manpower Concerns/Future as a Global City);^[18]

• 2015 – Executive Producer, Producer & Judge for The Final 1 (Season 2);^[19]

• 2015 – Executive Producer and producer for Let's Think About It Season 2 (Retirement/Population/Education)^[20]

• 2016 – Promoted Zhang Qing Fang's Concert in Singapore;^[21]

• 2016 – Promoted Il Divo's Concert in Singapore;

• 2016 – Executive Producer and producer for Let's Think About It Season 3 (SkillsFuture)^[22]

• 2016 – Executive Producer and producer for Let's Think About It Season 4 (Multiculturalism);^[23]

• 2017 – Executive Producer and producer for Let's Think About It Season 5 (Committee on Future Economy);^[24]

• 2017 – Executive Producer and producer for Let's Think About It Season 6 (Preschool Education)^[25]

• 2018 – Produced Lee Kuan Yew Bilingual Fund Languages Campaign;^[26]

• 2018 – Promoted Boyce Avenue's Concert in Singapore;

• 2018 – Promoted Halsey's Concert in Singapore;

• 2018 – Promoted Il Divo's Concert in Singapore;

• 2018 – Promoted Anuar Zain's Concert in Singapore;

• 2019 – Produced Passion Made Possible Campaign(feat.Ashley Isham,^[27] Tan Min Liang,^[28] Han Sai Por,^[29] Shabir,^[30] Sabrina Tan^[31] & Ang Kiam Meng^[32]);

• 2019 – Executive Producer and producer for "Happy Moments @ Ascott" branding videos for The Ascott Limited. Shot in Singapore, Tokyo and Paris;^[33][34]

• 2019 – Promoted Bazzi's Concert;

• 2020 – Promoted Pentatonix's Concert;

References[]

External links[]

• ^[1]
• Ken Lim at IMDb