“K-Pop Expert” Music Critic Kim Young Dae Passes Away At 48

May he rest in peace.

Music critic Kim Young Dae, well known to K-Pop fans for his expertise in the industry, passed away on December 24, 2025 (KST) at the age of 48, according to news reports.

The late music critic Kim Young Dae | Money Today

On Christmas morning, Kim Young Dae’s team announced his passing via his social media accounts, including his Instagram and X.

pic.twitter.com/gS71zgPVCq

— 김영대 Kim Youngdae (@toojazzy25) December 24, 2025

We respectfully inform you of the passing of Kim Young Dae. We apologize for not being able to contact you personally.

— Kim Young Dae’s X (Twitter)

No details surrounding his sudden passing have been disclosed, as K-Pop fans remain shocked. In the meantime, the production team of Kim Hyun Jung’s News Show, which aired his pre-recorded broadcast expressed their condolences through their YouTube channel.

This broadcast was recorded last week. On the 25th, after it aired, we received the news of music critic Kim Young Dae’s passing. We are deeply shocked by this sudden news. The production team of Kim Hyun Jung’s News Show extends our heartfelt condolences.

— Kim Hyun Jung’s News Show

His funeral is being held at Chung Ang University Hospital’s funeral hall, and the memorial mass will take place on December 27 at 10 AM at Heukseok-dong Cathedral. He will be laid to rest at Seoul Memorial Park.

Watch his last YouTube video with NCT‘s Haechan here: