)
)
Hailing from Seoul, South Korea, Kim Se-Hwang (AKA James Kim) is a legendary musician, singer-songwriter, arranger, and one of Korea’s top rock guitarists. Known for his signature blend of rock, K-pop, and classical stylings, Kim has become an international music icon, having released 15 albums as a solo artist, being the guitarist for Korean rock band N.EX.T, the new metal band NovaSonic, and most recently the award-winning glam metal act Steelheart.
Garnering a seemingly endless list of global awards and achievements, Kim has not only has he received an Honorary Doctorate of Music in Performance from the Musician’s Institute in Hollywood (the fifth recipient after Herbie Hancock, Steve Vai, Sheila E., and Alice Cooper) but is the first musician in the world to perform the iconic “Four Seasons” by Vivaldi on the electric guitar in collaboration with the famous Italian chamber orchestra I Musici. Among his other collaborators, Kim has recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra, Chick Corea, Steve Vai, Scott Henderson, Guthrie Govan, Alex Skolnick, Victor Wooten, Simon Phillips, Stu Hamm, Lee Ritenour, and Martin Taylor.
In 2014, Kim was inducted into Hollywood’s RockWalk hall of fame alongside Eddie Van Halen, Kirk Hammet, and Slash, and in 2017 was also the recipient of a prestigious award from the Republic of South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for his contributions to the country through his successful music career, network, and the global success of K-pop.
An avid innovator, Kim has played several .strandberg* guitars over the years, including the BOSS V-BDN which he has used extensively in various endeavors. We are proud to support a titan of talent and influence such as Kim Se-Hwang and are thrilled to welcome him to the official .strandberg* family of artists. His dedication to his craft, passion for music on a global scale, and the gravity of his achievements are truly monumental and we look forward to many years of continued mutual collaboration.
)
)
"If you are a fan of Joe Satriani and Steve Vai's playing style, you have got to check out Kim Se-Hwang, you will love this guy!" - Stu Hamm, legendary bassist