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Hyereem Son’s name has become synonymous with musical versatility and creative ingenuity in the world of composition, orchestration, and music editing. From video games to documentaries, her work is a testament to her diverse skill set and profound understanding of music’s role in storytelling. This article delves into the breadth of her experience, exploring her journey through various media projects and highlighting her creative process, achievements, and contributions to the world of music.
Early Beginnings and Educational Foundation
Hyereem Son’s journey into the world of music began in Seoul, South Korea, where she founded and played as the main keyboardist for the band OLINAIP in 2014. This early experience laid the groundwork for her future endeavors in music composition and performance. Under her leadership, OLINAIP released their first single album, “Arirang,” which showcased her ability to blend traditional Korean music with modern influences. Her dedication to her craft was further honed during her time at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she served as a piano accompanist from 2018 to 2019. This role allowed her to collaborate with vocal and film-scoring students, providing her with invaluable experience in live performance and composition.
Pioneering Work in Video Games
One of Hyereem Son’s most significant contributions to the world of music is her work in video game orchestration and music editing. As an orchestrator, music editor, and booth reader, she has made a lasting impact on the gaming industry. In July 2024, Hyereem worked on “Battle of the Golden Spatula,” a project that required her to blend fantasy elements with dynamic orchestration to create an immersive auditory experience for players. Earlier, in January 2024, as a booth reader, she contributed to “KARMA: The Dark World and Arena Breakout,” where her role involved providing crucial feedback during recording sessions to ensure the music enhanced the emotional tone and atmosphere, adding depth and intensity to the gameplay.
Her work extends beyond composing original scores; she ensures that the music aligns seamlessly with the narrative and gameplay mechanics. This multifaceted approach to game music production highlights Hyereem’s comprehensive understanding of the industry and her ability to adapt her skills to different aspects of the creative process.
Freelance Composer at Bleeding Fingers Music
In August 2023, Hyereem began her journey as a freelance composer at Bleeding Fingers Music, a prestigious music production company known for its collaborations with legendary composer Hans Zimmer. While she has not yet had the opportunity to work directly with Zimmer, Hyereem’s contributions to the company have been significant. She has composed tracks for upcoming albums “Earth Tones” and “History Tones,” which are set to be featured on renowned music library websites like Extreme Music and KPM. These tracks, though yet to be released, have already been approved for use by major companies and TV networks, promising to reach a broad audience.
Hyereem’s work at Bleeding Fingers reflects her ability to compose music that resonates with a broad audience while maintaining artistic integrity. Her compositions for these albums are expected to showcase her versatility, with “Earth Tones” likely exploring natural, organic soundscapes and “History Tones” delving into historical themes with a modern twist. Although her journey with Bleeding Fingers is still in its early stages, Hyereem’s potential for growth and collaboration with industry giants like Zimmer is undeniable.
Composing for Documentaries: Capturing Real-Life Emotions
Hyereem Son’s talent extends beyond video games into the realm of documentary filmmaking, where she has demonstrated her ability to convey complex emotions through music. In April 2024, she composed the score for the documentary “The Drifting Autism Families in Korea,” a project that presented both challenges and opportunities for creative expression. The documentary, which follows the lives of multiple families with children on the autism spectrum, required a delicate balance between conveying the struggles these families face and maintaining a sense of hope.
To achieve this, Hyereem employed a combination of guitar, a small string ensemble, and playful pizzicato and staccato techniques using strings and woodwinds. The result was a bright and sweet tone that captured the resilience and optimism of the families featured in the documentary. Hyereem’s ability to translate the emotional nuances of real-life stories into music is a testament to her sensitivity as a composer and her commitment to telling stories through sound.
Her work on “Cuban Earth,” another documentary directed by Melinda Levin, further illustrates her prowess in this genre. Working closely with Melinda, Hyereem crafted a score that complemented the film’s themes of diversity, sustainability, and environmental awareness. One of the most poignant scenes, set around 18 minutes into the film, features characters reflecting on the environmental degradation of a contaminated river. Hyereem chose to use a solo cello to underscore the gravity of the moment, allowing the instrument’s expressive qualities to resonate with the audience.
In another scene, where a character speaks about the fulfillment they derive from their work despite the lack of financial rewards, Hyereem uses gentle string sounds and understated piano to create a soft, emotional atmosphere. These musical choices not only enhance the film’s message but also demonstrate Hyereem’s ability to create music that speaks directly to the heart of the narrative.
Short Films: Musical Storytelling in a Concise Format
Hyereem’s work in short films has been equally impactful, showcasing her ability to tell compelling stories through music within a limited timeframe. One of her notable projects is the short film “When Wind Blows on a Balcony,” which premiered at the LA Shorts International Film Festival in July 2024. The film, directed by Sche-Hao Thomas Wang, centers on the complex relationship between two women with contrasting lifestyles. Hyereem’s composition for this film was minimalist yet powerful, using only strings to capture the emotional trajectories of the characters.
One particularly moving scene features a single woman leaving her married friend behind, who then succumbs to feelings of deprivation and cries. Hyereem’s use of strings in this scene was instrumental in building up the escalating emotions, allowing the audience to deeply empathize with the characters. This ability to convey profound emotions through a sparse musical arrangement is one of Hyereem’s strengths as a composer.
Her other short film projects, including “0 Years Old,” “June’s Confession,” and “Pretas,” further illustrate her versatility and creativity. In “Pretas,” a short documentary directed by Barbara Marques, Hyereem explored the identity of Black Brazilian women through the lens of music. By incorporating traditional Brazilian instruments and rhythms, she was able to infuse the film with a sense of cultural authenticity and emotional depth. Her use of rhythmic music to highlight key moments in the dialogue added another layer of meaning to the film, underscoring the characters’ resilience and determination.
Achievements and Awards
Throughout her career, Hyereem Son has received recognition for her outstanding contributions to music and film. Her work on the documentary ‘Cuban Earth” earned the project an award at the Telly Awards in the General Non-Broadcast category in June 2020. This accolade is a testament to her ability to create music that not only supports the narrative but also elevates the overall impact of the film. Her achievements extend beyond awards, however, as her compositions continue to resonate with audiences and contribute to the success of the projects she works on.
Conclusion: A Visionary Composer Shaping the Future of Music
Hyereem Son’s journey through the world of music has been marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a deep commitment to her craft. Whether composing for video games, documentaries, or short films, she brings a unique blend of technical skill and emotional intelligence to each project. Her ability to adapt her musical style to different genres and media formats speaks to her versatility as a composer, while her dedication to storytelling through music underscores her passion for the art form.
As she continues to grow and evolve as a composer, orchestrator, and music editor, Hyereem Son is poised to make an even greater impact on the world of music. Her work at Bleeding Fingers Music and her contributions to various film projects are just the beginning of what promises to be a remarkable career. With her talent, creativity, and unwavering commitment to her craft, Hyereem Son is undoubtedly a name to watch in the world of music composition and beyond.
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