Meet the HARMAN Luxury Audio Team
Name: Kenneth Kyunghoon Position/Job Title: Business Development Senior Specialist With HARMAN Since 2015
With Meet The HARMAN Luxury Team, our goal is for you to get to know us better. In each edition we be feature a different member of the team, and this month it's Kenneth Kyunghoon, Business Development Senior Specialist.
How would you describe what you do in your current role?
Currently, I work with Samsung on sales and marketing for Consumer Audio at HARMAN Korea.
What did you study in school? Did you always imagine yourself doing something like what you’re doing now, or did the fates just take you in that direction?
I majored in business administration in college. At that time, I did not expect to work for a global audio brand. Since then, I have been in charge of overseas sales and marketing in the Middle East and Europe for about 10 years. However, I worked in the broadcasting department when I was in middle and high school and brands like JBL/AKG were always like dreams in my mind. The experience of upgrading speakers and purchasing a microphone with the AKG brand imprinted on it has become a precious memory that cannot be exchanged with money.
How did your career path lead you to HARMAN?
I heard that HARMAN was looking for a job related to online brand activation and I applied without hesitation. I was confident because I also learned marketing related courses at school and I applied. That was in 2015.
What is the most important thing you have learned over your career?
I've learned from my mentor that my work that I started, or I'm in charge of, always ends, and it's given me the momentum to move forward without fear of new work in a variety of changing current environments.
Any other advice you would offer people just starting out in this industry?
In order to work for an audio brand, you must have respect and love for music makers, which are essential virtues, even if they have expertise in their work. I hope you love music and feel the beautiful and healing experiences that music gives you. Oh, and I hope you experience many realistic experiences in performances, not music that you listen to through speakers. I think it will be a much better experience than just reading or studying books.
What are you most proud of in your life?
I'm so proud of the way I am now, living on the right track, rather than making a big achievement. Especially in these difficult times, the meaning of being ordinary is more important than ever. I am so happy and proud these days that I am living every day listening to my favorite music with my two children and my wife.
When did you first realize you had a passion for music or audio? Was there any one song, band or movie that did it for you?
When I was in the broadcasting class, I was very happy to introduce people to various artists and the stories based on their music. When I was introduced to new music, I would feel and experience the messages that each selection gave me. Therefore, I look for albums that are hard to get and the music of non-mainstream musicians and think about the meanings they are trying to tell society or their listeners.
What kind of gear are you rocking at home these days?
There is a problem with noise between floors of apartments in Korea, so we are using lighter equipment. The speakers for the living room are JBL's 4312G plus Arcam SA30 model and AUTHENTICS L16, and JBL CONTROLX for the desk. The headphones I’m using are AKG K872 and AKG K712PRO, AKG K3003 and AKG N5005.
What current technology impresses you the most?
TRUE-NOTE is a helpful feature for people who prefer to listen to music with headphones. However, I think the development of various high-quality streaming technologies is great for audio lovers.
What's your favorite music genre?
Actually, I'm not picky about music, but I usually like jazz guitar and Britpop.
The desert island question, of course. If you were marooned for eternity and could listen to only three albums, what would they be?
Charlie Haden and Pat Metheny – Beyond the Missouri Sky
Coldplay - X&Y
Enya – Shepherd Moons
Of course, there is Bruno Mars and The Weeknd, but you know there are many singles out there.
In closing, please tell us anything else you want us to know about yourself.
First, I sincerely hope that all HARMAN employees and their families will wisely overcome this difficult time. In these difficult times, we are comforted by music. In addition, if you ever have a chance to come to Korea, we can meet happily!