By D.CHANTSALMAA

Ko Sung Hun (JOHN KO), founder and CEO of Evandis Entertainment in Ulaanbaatar City, bridges Mongolian and South Korean cultures through not only music, but also production and education. Born in South Korea and raised in Mongolia, his passion for music led to the establishment of Evandis Entertainment in 2019. The company has since organized major events, including the “Your Valentine” concert in February 2024 and the star-studded “Super Concert 2024”.

Evandis made history as the first company to successfully complete a Netflix drama series in collaboration with KBS and Netflix Korea. They managed all aspects of production in Mongolia—equipment, costumes, weapons, location scouting, crew coordination, and interpretation—contributing to a drama that held the top spot on Netflix Asia for a month.

His leadership fostered strong partnerships with local teams, ensuring the project’s success. In recognition of his contributions, he was appointed Tourism Ambassador by the then Minister of Environment and Tourism in 2024. Combining Korean efficiency with Mongolian creativity, Ko Sung Hun continues to inspire youth and strengthen cultural ties. As Evandis prepares for the highly anticipated “Super Concert 2025”, the vision remains focused on deepening international collaboration and empowering the next generation through music.

 

What lessons did you take from last year’s concert featuring Rain and Sandara Park into planning this year’s event?

 

I think one of the biggest lessons we took from last year’s concert was in management. Through the experience of organizing that concert and spending time together as a team, we learned how to cultivate stronger collaboration and build a more efficient, supportive working environment.

This year, we’re working with almost the same core team, and through this process, I’ve come to realize something important: in projects like this, it’s not just about how skilled or experienced someone is—though of course, those things matter. What truly drives success is teamwork. It’s about the shared experience of building something meaningful together.

Now, I feel incredibly grateful to have found this core team—a group that never falters, that believes deeply in the vision, and that stays fully committed, not just to this concert, but to our shared values and goals. Many of our team members have studied in Korea. They’re academically accomplished, but also highly emotionally intelligent and grounded. In Mongolian, we say “Medremjtei”—someone with a deep sense of awareness and practical wisdom, or common sense. On top of that, they are people who genuinely love their country.

When I select members of the core team, I personally take part in every interview. I always ask questions like “Do you love your country?” and “Do you love your language?” Because I’ve seen people graduate abroad, and never return. Worse, some even speak negatively about Mongolia. But my team is different. They love both countries—Korea, where they studied, and Mongolia, their home. While studying abroad, they already had a clear vision: to return and contribute meaningfully to their country. That’s what I admire most. They see their work not only as part of Evandis Entertainment, but as something meaningful to Mongolia. 

 

Can you talk a little bit more about Evandis Entertainment?

 

It was established in 2019, and though it’s still relatively new, the name holds deep meaning. It’s actually a combination of two ideas—evangelize and disciple. I took the prefix “eva” from evangelize, which means to spread a positive message or good news, and combined it with the concept of discipleship.

So for us, “Evandis” means to make a meaningful and positive impact on society and to help guide others—to inspire and uplift people, and to nurture that positive influence so it can grow and spread.

 

How did you decide on the lineup, particularly including both international K-pop stars and Mongolian artists?

 

We’re incredibly excited about this year’s lineup. We’ve secured Ailee and Taeyang as our headliners—artists we deeply admire and have long hoped to bring to Mongolia. We’re beyond happy that it’s finally happening. It’s also a meaningful opportunity for them to get to know Mongolia, its people, and culture. Interestingly, they weren’t able to come last year, but we stayed persistent, and this year, they said “Yes”. We also have three DJs coming from Korea. Each one brings their own unique charm and energy to the stage, and I think the audience will love them.

As for the Mongolian lineup, I’m personally very proud of the local artists we’ve invited. Many of them are my own favorites—artists like Morningstar, Doid, Tsetse, A-Sound, AM-C, and FOUX. I genuinely love their music and respect their artistry. It was important for us to showcase not only international talent but also the incredible talent we have here in Mongolia. This concert is about creating a bridge between cultures and giving both local and global artists a platform to shine.

 

Can you walk us through how Evandis entertainment reached out to artists like Taeyang and Ailee? What did that negotiation process look like?

 

You know, it’s really part of our own “know-how”. But I believe it all started with passion—a deep passion I’ve always had to promote Mongolia. 

One of the key reasons this concert and our broader work became possible is because Evandis Entertainment isn’t just about entertainment. We also focus on education and production. Over the years, we’ve had the opportunity to work on major international projects—like one of the biggest productions for KBS, the Korean Broadcasting System. That’s how we started building real relationships with people in the industry, and more importantly, gained their trust. 

 

What kind of cultural exchange or collaboration are you hoping to foster between Korean and Mongolian artists?

 

Having artists from both countries—Korea and Mongolia—means so much to me. For instance, Taeyang from BigBang is a true legend, not just in the K-pop world, but globally. And Ailee is an internationally recognized powerhouse with a voice that resonates far beyond the K-pop scene. Their presence is incredibly meaningful.

I also believe their involvement carries a lot of significance for our Mongolian artists. It’s a rare opportunity to share the stage with such world-renowned performers. I’m certain it will inspire them, motivate them to aim higher, and help them grow as artists. In that sense, I feel genuinely grateful.

And who knows—if the opportunity arises in the future, I would love to see a collaboration happen. It would be a dream to have them work on a song together, blending both cultures into something powerful and unique.

 

In your opinion, why should these types of concerts and events be taking place? 

 

First and foremost, it’s about the power of music. That’s where it all began for me—my love for music. But over time, I came to realize that these events go far beyond just entertainment. When Mongolia and Korea share the stage here, it becomes something truly meaningful—not only culturally, but emotionally for the audience.

After last year’s concert, I received so many heartfelt messages from Mongolian fans. One that really stuck with me was someone saying, “Seeing those artists perform in Mongolia literally changed my life—it brought so much joy into my world.” That kind of impact is deeply emotional and personal, and it reminds me why we do this.

These concerts don’t just elevate the music and entertainment industry. They influence multiple sectors—like tourism, the economy, and education. They give people new perspectives, open doors for cultural exchange, and inspire young people to dream bigger. In the end, it’s not just a concert—it’s a catalyst for growth, connection, and positive change.

 

Do you see a growing appetite for these shows?

 

People now recognize what Evandis Entertainment stands for and understand the vision we’re pursuing. In the beginning, there was a lot of skepticism—many didn’t believe that internationally renowned artists were actually coming to perform in Mongolia. As a result, ticket sales started out relatively slow during our earlier events.

But things have changed. Today, we can clearly see the shift in public perception through the incredible excitement and enthusiasm surrounding ticket sales. The response has been overwhelming, and it’s a reflection of the trust we’ve built and the standard we’ve set. It shows that people now believe in what we do—and that belief is growing stronger with every event.

 

Recently, a local concert sparked controversy on social media due to incidents involving fights and excessive drinking. As someone who attended the Super Concert last year, I noticed a clear difference in the overall safety and organization. How do you manage audience safety and ensure proper security at such large-scale events?

 

That’s a really important question, and I’m glad you brought it up. For us, audience safety and venue management are our top priorities—above everything else. Even if an incident might not be immediately visible, we believe that one accident, even involving a single person, is one too many. That’s why we allocate a significant portion of our budget specifically for security.

But for us, it’s not just about hiring security teams—it’s about who we’re hiring. We personally meet with them, interview them, and enforce strict guidelines. We don’t just choose a company because they have the most people or the lowest price. We pay close attention to the mindset and leadership of their directors, because we’ve learned that if the leader sets a high standard, the whole team follows.

For an event of this size, we usually need around 300 to 500 security personnel. So it’s essential that their leadership is responsible and understands the level of accountability required. I believe this careful, people-first approach to our security and venue management is one of the key reasons we’ve been successful in creating a safe, enjoyable concert experience.

 

What has been the most challenging part of organizing an international event like this in Mongolia? I’ve also heard that there are cases where others used the name of Evandis Entertainment when inviting artists. Is that true?

 

Yes, I’ve heard about that quite a bit as well. It seems some groups are trying to invite Korean artists using our name—or claiming to be associated with us. While I don’t believe we should be the only ones bringing foreign artists to Mongolia, I do want to encourage others to do it actively and responsibly. In fact, we’re more than willing to support anyone who shares the same goal of elevating Mongolia’s entertainment scene.

The Mongolian market is still relatively small compared to other countries, so rather than seeing each other as competitors, I believe it would be far more powerful if we came together as one team. By collaborating, we can organize meaningful, high-quality concerts that truly make an impact.

Of course, one of the biggest challenges is the financial side—artist booking fees are high. That’s why support from the government and corporate sponsors is so essential. This isn’t just about entertainment. When a global influencer or world-renowned artist comes to Mongolia, it has a huge effect across many sectors—culture, tourism, economy, and even education. These events have the potential to shape how Mongolia is seen by the world and how we see ourselves.

 

Are there any traditional elements being incorporated into the show—like costumes, music, or language—to showcase Mongolia’s uniqueness?

 

Right now, we’re trying to showcase Mongolian culture in subtle but meaningful ways—step by step. But beyond that, I want to go deeper.

My vision is to create a dedicated cultural segment during these concerts—especially when we take this concept abroad. Within the next three years, I hope to organize a cultural concert in Korea that features Mongolian artists. And not just in a small venue—I’m dreaming of holding it in one of Korea’s iconic stadiums.

This would be a significant moment for cultural exchange. I want Korean audiences to see the richness of Mongolian music, fashion, and heritage on a big stage. It’s about building mutual understanding and showing the world what Mongolia has to offer—through art, performance, and shared experiences.