Hyuk Shin (; born June 5, 1985) is a South Korean record producer, music executive, and entrepreneur who has worked with artists including as Justin Bieber, Anderson .Paak, Blackbear, Dean, NCT, Super Junior, TXT, EXO, Monsta X, Shinee, and Girls' Generation.
Shin was the first South Korean-born record producer to have entered the US Billboard Hot 100 in 2009 with Justin Bieber's hit single "One Less Lonely Girl". He established 153/Joombas Music Group in 2011, an independent music production and music publishing company.
Shin produced "Growl" by EXO in 2013, which led to the first million-seller album in the digital streaming era. "Growl" was also selected as the representative K-Pop song at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and ranked No. 2 on Melon's Top 100 Best K-Pop Songs of All Time.
As an entrepreneur, Shin has partnered with global music companies such as Warner Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Universal Music Group, and SM Entertainment for various projects and ventures.
Career
Early career Shin began his career as a singer-songwriter in 2004, with the release of his first album "Soar". The title song "Robot" was composed by K-pop ballad composer "Hyung-seok Kim" and the lyrics were written by Korean poet Tae-yeon Won. At age 20, he moved to Boston, Massachusetts to attend Berklee College of Music to achieve his goal that he had since 5th grade; charting his song on the Billboard.작곡가 신혁, 빌보트 차트 16위 차지...'자만하지 않겠다'. Polinews.co.kr (December 10, 2009). Retrieved on November 7, 2013. In his interview with Melon in 2012, he mentioned that moving to the United States to develop his musical ability was the best decision he has ever made.작가스토리 시즌2, 훈남 가수 & 프로듀서 신혁 . melon.co.kr (November 9, 2011). Retrieved on November 7, 2013.
A-Rex Production Teaming up with songwriter Sean Hamilton, Shin started the music production duo "A-Rex". They worked together for 4 years until they made Justin Bieber's "One Less Lonely Girl," which debuted at No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100, on the issue dated October 24, 2009. The song had 113,000 downloads in its first week and later scored the second-highest debut of the week, only being surpassed by "3" by Britney Spears. As of February 2011, the single has sold over 1,025,000 digital copies in the United States. In his Melon interview, he said those four years of waiting to achieve the goal, were the hardest time in his life.작가스토리 시즌2, 훈남 가수 & 프로듀서 신혁 melon.co.kr (November 9, 2011). Retrieved on November 7, 2013. A-Rex also produced "Right Here Waiting" by Tynisha Keli and "Supa Luv" by Korean male idol group, Teen Top. The song was later remixed and featured on the American movie "Beastly" by the director Daniel Barnz, starring Vanessa Hudgens and Alex Pettyfer.
153 Joombas Music Group In 2011, Shin established Joombas Music Group, an independent music production and music publishing company with offices in Los Angeles, New York, and Seoul. Joombas began producing for major K-pop labels such as SM Entertainment and TOP Media, working to bring fresh, new sounds to the music industry. In 2011, he and Joombas were brought in to contribute to the production and writing of EXO's debut album MAMA in the song "Angel." Exo's debut album MAMA was released in Korea and China in two language editions - Exo-K's Korean version and Exo-M's Mandarin version, and both versions hit No. 1 in Korea (Gaon Chart) and China (SINA Chart).
In 2013, with Shin leading the team, Joombas produced "Romantic St." by "Girls' Generation," "Dream Girl" by "Shinee," "Light Me Up," "G.R.8.U.," and "Voodoo Doll" by VIXX, "Want U Back" by "100%, "Pretty Girl" by F(x), and the mega hit-song "Growl" by EXO. "Growl" peaked at #3 on the Billboard Korea K-Pop Hot 100 chart and number two on South Korea's Gaon Singles chart. The song has also reached #1 one on most of South Korea's major downloadable charts, and stayed in the top five for three consecutive weeks. "Growl" is one of Exo's most successful songs in both chart performance and on South Korean music show awards, winning a total of fourteen number-one trophies throughout its promotional period. Shin and Joombas also produced the songs "Don't Go" and "Black Pearl" for Exo's debut studio album, XOXO.
As of 2018, Joombas Music Group has rebranded to 153/Joombas Music Group.
Artist Discovery: Blackbear & DEAN American musician blackbear was discovered by Shin while he was working as a producer in Atlanta, Georgia. Recognizing Musto's potential as a songwriter and artist, Shin helped to craft and develop his sound. Musto would go on to co-write "Boyfriend" for superstar Justin Bieber in 2012.
In 2012, Shin discovered and signed R&B artist Kwon Hyuk (FKA DEAN). Signed to Joombas initially as a songwriter and producer, Shin acknowledged DEAN's potential as an artist and together, began to develop and prepare his project. On July 13, 2015, DEAN released his first single "I'm Not Sorry," featuring Grammy award-winning artist Eric Bellinger. The single gained significant attention as it was rare for a South Korean artist to release an international single in English prior to entering their home market. DEAN would go on to release several more singles featuring popular Korean hip-hop and R&B artists such as Zico, Crush, Dok2, and Gaeko leading up to the release of his debut EP 130 mood: TRBL on March 25, 2016, which was executive produced by Shin. The album has been highly regarded as one of the best Korean R&B releases in the 2010s, receiving praise from notable music editors such as Billboard's Jeff Benjamin. The EP was selected as one of the 10 Best K-Pop Albums of 2016 by Billboard.
Partnership
Warner Music Group In 2018, Shin launched 153 Entertainment Group in a joint-venture partnership with Warner Music Group. 153's first flagship artist in the new partnership is singer-songwriter NIve, who released his first single "Getaway" featuring independent artist JMSN on November 8, 2018. 153 is continuing to grow its business into all facets of the music entertainment industry across Asia, including music publishing, music production, record label, artist management, and music education.
Warner Chappell Music 153/Joombas Publishing announces that it has entered a global publishing partnership with Warner Chappell Music in 2021, as 153/Joombas Publishing continues to bolster its roster and catalog, with a roster of nearly over 100 writers, 153/Joombas Publishing has become a key partner for Warner Chappell Music in K-Pop and the Asia territory at large.
Warner Chappell provides access to a global network of creatives and services that look to help optimize 153/Joombas Publishing's current resources and grow its reach. In joining hands with Warner Chappell, 153/Joombas Publishing is poised to increase the range of diverse services that it can provide in the market.
Show It All Vietnam (Tân Binh Toàn Năng) In October 2025, Hyuk Shin entered a partnership with Vietnamese media company YeaH1 to launch the survival idol programme Show It All Vietnam (Tân Binh Toàn Năng). YeaH1 handles media production and broadcast, while Shin provides music direction, training, and artist development. (As of January 2025, YeaH1 formally restructured its slate to focus on Show It All and appointed Shin as a strategic partner.)
The first single from the show, titled "Show Me", was released on 4 October 2025 as the programme's theme song. The music video was shot in Thailand, and the track was produced by Hyuk Shin in collaboration with other songwriters. The single achieved a rapid success, reportedly reaching No. 1 on iTunes Vietnam within 17 hours of its release.
In the show, contestants undergo training in vocals, dance, and performance under a K-pop inspired curriculum. Shin functions as a mentor and music director, shaping the musical identity of the emerging Vietnamese idol group. The programme is broadcast on VTV3 and positions itself as a major vehicle to elevate V-pop to international standards.
As of mid-2025, Show It All Vietnam is ongoing, with public attention focused on its format, the debut group, and reception of its music releases.
Discography
Year Artist Album Notes Charts/Awards 2009 Justin Bieber My World Co-producer, co-writer ("One Less Lonely Girl") RIAA Certified PlatinumWeek Ending Feb. 13, 2011: Songs: Gaga's Milestone Hit, Yahoo Music. Retrieved on November 7, 2013.No.1 Billboard Album Chart No. 16 Billboard Hot 100 Canada – Gold Premio Oye! – Revalacion del Ano 2010 Tynisha Keli The 5th Element Co-producer, co-writer ("Right Here Waiting") No. 36 Oricon Album Chart2011 Teen Top Transform Co-producer, co-writer ("Supa Luv") No. 6 Gaon Album Chart No. 40 Gaon Music Chart A-Rex Remix, "Beastly" OST Co-producer, co-writer ("Supa Luv") 2012 Exo Mama Co-producer, co-writer ("Angel") No.1 in Korea (Gaon Chart) No.1 in China (SINA Chart) Fiestar We Don't Stop Co-producer, co-writer No. 21 Gaon Chart2013 Girls' Generation I Got a Boy Co-producer, co-writer ("Romantic St.") No. 1 Album in Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, United States and PhilippinesNo. 7 Japan Oricon Weekly Albums Chart Shinee Dream Girl – The Misconceptions of You Co-producer ("Dream Girl") No. 1 GaonNo. 2 Billboard World AlbumsNo. 3 Billboard K-Pop Hot 100SHINee's "Dream Girl" makes an all-kill on real time charts + clips from 'SHINee Music Spoiler' released, Allkpop, February 19, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2013.No. 5 Billboard HeatseekersNo. 10 Oricon Albums Bonsang (Album) Golden Disk Awards Bonsang Seoul Music Award No. 1 Inkigayo (3/17/13) No. 1 Music Bank (3/8/13, 3/15/13) No. 1 Show Champion (2/27/13, 3/6/13, 3/13/13, 3/20/13) No. 1 M-Countdown (2/28/13, 3/7/13, 3/14/13) VIXX Hyde Co-producer, co-writer ("Light Me Up") No. 7 World Billboard Chart 100% Real 100% Co-producer, co-writer ("Want U Back") No. 6 Gaon Chart VIXX Jekyll Co-producer, co-writer ("G.R.8.U") No. 3 Album Gaon Chart No. 13 Billboard K-Pop Hot 100, Exo XOXO Co-producer, co-writer ("Don't Go") No. 1 Billboard World Albums ChartNo. 1 South in Korea (Gaon and Hanteo Charts) and Japan (Oricon Chart) No. 2 Vinyuetai V-Chart Album of the Year No. 23 Billboard US Top Heatseekers Albums Disk Bonsang – Golden Disk Award Album of the Year – Mnet Music Awards f(x) Pink Tape Co-producer, Co-writer ("Pretty Girl") No.1 Gaon Chart Weekly Albums No.1 Billboard World Album Chart No. 4 South Korea Gaon Monthly Album Chart Exo XOXO Repackage Co-producer, Co-writer ("Growl") No. 1 Billboard World AlbumsEXO Talks 'Growl' and Global Success in Video Interview (Exclusive). September 16, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2013. No. 1 Gaon No. 1 on Bugs, MelOn, Mnet, Soribada, Daum, Monkey3, Olleh and Naver (Korea) No. 3 Billboard K-Pop Hot 100