We are diving into the musical world of Son Moo-hyun, the legendary 90s producer who once stepped away from the music scene due to a cerebral infarction.
On May 10 at 11 PM, KBS1’s ‘Back to the Music Season 2’ will feature Son Moo-hyun, the genius producer who led singer Kim Wan-sun’s golden era and composed the hit ‘Pierrot Smiles at Us’.
The 34th guest of ‘Songumentary Back to the Music Season 2’—a time-travel journey through nostalgic masterpieces—is Son Moo-hyun, a guitarist with an unrivaled sensibility and a producer who was way ahead of his time. This episode will shine a spotlight on his musical universe.
Son Moo-hyun, a musician who spearheaded the peak of 1990s pop music, will share his musical journey and previously untold behind-the-scenes stories. From his first encounter with the guitar in middle school to the thrill of hearing his songs take over the streets, and his transition from singer to drama and movie music director, his honest and candid musical life will unfold.
Son Moo-hyun was a key part of the peak years of Kim Wan-sun, Korea’s first female dance singer. He produced the entirety of her 5th album, which was praised for its groundbreaking sound at the time, helping Kim Wan-sun evolve from a dance singer into a true artist. Interestingly, ‘Pierrot Smiles at Us’ was the very first song he ever composed! The intense production process and episodes behind other mega-hits like ‘Masquerade’ and ‘My Own’ will be fully revealed on the show.
While he was the center of attention as a producer, Son Moo-hyun received an unexpected proposal to release a solo album. The story behind the title track of his first album, ‘Poem Without a Title’—which is still praised for its sophisticated melody—will be shared alongside a vivid live performance.
Even for someone who seemed to have a smooth path as a singer, composer, producer, and music director, trials came. In 2017, a sudden cerebral infarction completely shook his musical life. Viewers will see his journey of overcoming illness to move his stiff fingers and hold the guitar once more, as well as his deep longing for music and heartfelt affection for his colleagues.
Now leaving the glamorous life of a star behind, he is dedicated to nurturing future talent as a professor in the Department of Applied Music at Hanyang Women’s University. He will discuss the ‘essence of music’ that remains unchanged even in the rapidly evolving K-pop market. Son Moo-hyun’s music, which captures a timeless sense and evokes nostalgia for the ‘shining days’ we all cherish, can be seen on KBS1 on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at 11 PM.
