Popular music critic and K-pop scholar Kim Young Dae passed away on December 24, 2025, at the age of 48.
The news was shared by his family on the morning of December 25 through his social media account. In their message, they said they were “humbly delivering the news of Kim Young Dae’s passing.” The cause of death has not been disclosed, and his passing was described as sudden.
He continued to connect with the public through social media until as recently as December 24. He had also participated in a pre-recorded segment for CBS Radio’s Kim Hyun Jung’s News Show. That episode was broadcast on the same day the heartbreaking news of his passing was announced.
Kim Young Dae was widely respected as one of South Korea’s most influential voices. He graduated from Yonsei University’s Department of Business Administration before continuing his studies in the United States. He later earned a PhD in ethnomusicology from the University of Washington. His academic background allowed him to analyze pop music not just as entertainment, but as a cultural and social phenomenon.
He was especially well known for his deep analysis of K-pop and idol culture, including the global rise of BTS. He authored the book “BTS: The Review” and was often cited as a leading expert on the group. His writing reached international audiences through contributions to outlets such as Vulture, MTV, NPR, and The Washington Post.
In Korea, Kim Young Dae was active across many platforms. He hosted domestic television broadcasts of major U.S. music award shows, including the Billboard Music Awards, the American Music Awards, and the Grammy Awards. Kim offered expert commentary and context for viewers.
He also served on judging and review committees for major Korean music awards, including the Mnet Asian Music Awards and the Korean Music Awards.
Beyond broadcasting and journalism, he connected with the public through his YouTube channel, “Kim Young Dae’s School of Music,” where he discussed music history, trends, and criticism. He also wrote several books, including “Idols and Artists of Now and Here,” “Idols as Artists in the K-pop Era,” and “The Songwriters.”
Many in the industry remember Kim Young-dae as someone who bridged the gap between academia and everyday music fans.
The funeral has been set up at the Chung-Ang University Hospital funeral hall. The service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on the 27th, with the burial to take place at Seoul Memorial Park.