Officer Min Composes One of the Top Ten Hits in Korea

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, November 3, 1998
Los Angeles Police Officer Benson Min co-wrote "Finding Hidden Pictures," released in September 1998 on a CD by popular Korean actress and singer Um Jung Hwa. The CD is currently topping the charts in Korea and beginning to receive air play in Los Angeles, where Officer Min is assigned to the Community Relations Section of Chief Bernard Park’s office.

After composing countless melodies for Southern California church and youth choirs, Min’s interest in music was definitely not for its commercial potential. "I’ve always looked at music as a serious hobby, but never as my career," Min said. During high school, Min taught himself to read music and played the piano. During his freshman year in college, a pastor at his family’s church recognized his abilities and encouraged him to begin composing his own music. He did, which led to a string of popular compositions, which he and others performed at church and in local Christian bands.

Min’s music "hobby" became, by his own admission, "all encompassing." But there was yet another dream he wanted to fulfill. By the time he finished college, he knew he wanted a career in public service. In December 1993 he entered the LAPD Academy. Since joining the Department, Officer Min’s patrol assignments have included duty in downtown Los Angeles and Pacific Division. In his current position, he is part of staff assigned to identify and address community tensions, and to serve as liaison between the Chief of Police and L.A.’s diverse populations. Min, who was born in Korea, came to the U.S. at age 3 and grew up in Los Angeles’ Koreatown district, where his parents had originally settled to seek a better life for themselves and their four children.

In 1996 Officer Min met with a friend from college, Jae Chong, who had developed a successful career in Korea as a performer, composer and record producer. Chong casually asked Min if he had any recent compositions. Officer Min penned three melodies, sent them to Chong, one of which became "Finding Hidden Pictures." Lyrics were added and the song was sent to Hwa, a famous singer in Korea. She included it on her current CD, which is on the Korean top ten lists and has already produced one number one single.

Officer Min, meanwhile, continues helping others through both his work and his "hobby." He is presently volunteering his talents to an L.A. based Christian children’s choir, "God’s Image." The group will soon tour both the U.S. and Korea. Min is also continuing his studies and he will graduate in May with a Masters degree in Public Administration from the University of La Verne.

Anyone who wishes to interview Officer Benson Min should contact Ms. Estela Lopez at (213) 627-4171 for availability.

For Release 3:10 pm PST
November 3, 1998