Owen (born Kim Hyun-woo on October 13, 1991) is a South Korean rapper known for his emotionally raw lyrics and distinctive voice. He began his professional music career under the hip-hop label MKIT Rain in 2016, debuting with the single “City.” Initially performing under the name Owen Ovadoz, he later simplified his stage name to Owen as his music matured and diversified in sound. Born and raised in Seoul, Owen emerged in Korea’s underground rap scene and quickly gained attention for his introspective storytelling and genre-blending style. He was a part of several crews, including Wons N Dollas and Sous Chefs, and became known for his bold performances and openness about mental health struggles. Owen’s discography reflects his artistic evolution, beginning with Problematic (2017) and Changes (2018), followed by Smile (2019), and the critically noted B.O.Y. (Because Of You) in 2020. After parting ways with MKIT Rain in 2021, he joined Freekin in 2022 and released the albums Cry (2022), Redrum (2023), and POEMV (2025), further solidifying his status as a genre-defying artist in Korean hip-hop.
