Yejune Kim

Biography

Yejune Kim (she/her/hers) is a composer from Seoul, South Korea. During her time in Seoul, she worked as a producer/arranger for the music accompaniment application "Instream Music." She holds an MFA from NYU Tisch’s Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program (Composer) and a BA from Korea National University of Arts, majoring in Musicology with a minor in Composition. Yejune was also selected as a Music Gifted Education recipient by Seoul Metropolitan, completing the program during her high school years.

Currently based in New York, Yejune actively participates in the musical theatre scene. She won the grand prize in the 2024 Write Out Loud Songwriting Contest, with her song performed at 54 Below by Cherry Torres, soon to be featured in an album. Her original musical, Heavy Heaven (2023, book/lyrics/music), premiered at the New York Theatre Festival, earning nominations for Best Short Production, Best Music Score, and Best Singer. She also presented a staged reading of her full-length musical, Bari: The Abandoned Princess (2023, music/lyrics), at the Spark Theatre Festival. Yejune has worked as a pianist and music director for various productions, including serving as associate music director for the award-winning musical Fly To Tomorrow, which had a 29-hour reading at Playwrights Horizons.

Yejune’s work is deeply informed by her experience as an immigrant, bringing unique perspectives and narratives to her compositions. She is driven by a desire to blend different genres and musical styles, constantly pushing the boundaries to create innovative sounds. Her projects not only reflect a fusion of cultural experiences but also explore themes of identity, belonging, and diversity in fresh and imaginative ways. Although her compositions stem from profound emotions, her approach is not weighed down by heavy themes—she seeks to connect with audiences in an accessible, relatable way that feels welcoming and approachable.