Meet Ray Kim | Film Composer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ray Kim and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ray, what’s your definition for success?
For many, success seems to revolve around the final goal or the final achievement that has been yearned for. I think that much is true but not necessarily the full picture of what success could mean. For me, every step of the way that is made towards that goal is a form of success. Every subchapter in my life that I make towards that end goal is success.

Today, I strive to compose film music for a feature film or series and I can see myself getting closer to it. The conventional standard mostly indicates that I have not achieved success because I have not succeeded at composing the film just yet. But to me, I am successfully walking along my path, “one step at a time” and it brings me an abundant amount of joy.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a film composer and I am currently on a team led by Carlos Rafael Rivera. We recently scored (composed) a Disney series, HBO Max series and we are currently scoring two Netflix series. I did not think this kind of work was tangible at first and it still baffles me a bit that I get to be an integral part of these projects.

In truth, there is a good portion inside me that screams “imposter syndrome” because everyone around me is so talented. I am incredibly lucky to be in such a position but from time to time, it doesn’t feel like I fully deserve it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I think I would start the trip off at the Grove as that is probably my favorite mall then head to the Griffith Observatory if the day isn’t too hot. There can be a day to walk alongside the beach either in Santa Monica or travel up north to Malibu and enjoy the oceanic view there. My favorite restaurant for sure is Jeong Yuk Jeom in Koreatown and I make an excuse to eat there whenever I can.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There was a day during my junior year of undergrad when I brought my music to a composition professor for a lesson. Typically these sheet music pages are just black and white but I ended that lesson with more red than black markings. Professor PQ Phan is the mentor who taught me with the most amount of passion and my music would sound completely different if it wasn’t for his guidance.

Also Professor Carlos Rafael Rivera. He’s cool.

Easily I wish to shout out my parents with their never-ending support for what I do. I don’t think I would have ever chosen this path if there wasn’t the initial big push from their end.

Website: www.superrray.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doraymekim/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raydkim/

Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1JHFQv8E0HG7mmKpuftPLB