Hyeokjae Kim was born in 1998 in Jeju Island (Jeju-do), South Korea. When he was a teenager, he began music by making hip-hop beats and playing guitar in several rock bands. Then, at the age of 16, after he was first exposed to the music of Stravinsky and Ligeti and taught himself composition. Currently he is studying composition at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz with Prof. Klaus Lang.
His music has been performed by numerous performers including Schallfeld Ensemble, Divertimento Ensemble, Ensemble Nostri Temporis, S201, Ensemble blank etc., at numerous festivals and workshops including IDEA Workshop for Young Composers (Italy), Como Contemporary Festival (Italy), Contrasts Contemporary Music Festival (Ukraine), MicroFest Prag (Czech), Daegu International Contemporary Music Festival (Südkorea) etc.
He also has won the 3rd prize at the Eduardas Balsys International Composition Competition (Lithuania). And he was selected as a finalist at EarPlay International Composition Competition (USA), Ensemble NeuverBand Basel International Construct-Radiatie Composition Competition (Switzerland), and Appassionate Ensemble International Composition Compeititon (Italy).
He doubts the ideology of novelty in contemporary music, and does not pursue new sounds or new aesthetics. He just concentrates on writing the notes he needs to write every moment.