New developments in abuse trial of Singapore Idol judge Ken Lim

Ken Lim is one of Singapore’s most prominent celebrities and is also known as 'Singapore’s Simon Cowell.' He is also a music producer, record label owner, and judge on reality singing competitions such as Singapore Idol and The Final 1.

Content warning: This gallery contains mentions of abuse.

(Image: Mediacorp)

Ken Lim began his career in the music industry at a young age, representing Singapore in many international music competitions such as the Asia Song Contest when he was just 16.

(Image: ken1lim on Instagram)

Ken Lim’s involvement in the Singapore music scene was so great that it earned him the nickname 'Godfather’ of Singapore’s music and entertainment industry in the 1980s!

(Image: ken1lim on Instagram)

Eventually, Ken Lim’s passion and dedication led him to establish Hype Records in 1992 at just 28 years old. Hype Records grew under his command to go beyond just producing and distributing music.

(Image: hyperecords on Instagram)

Hype Records currently produces and distributes music, manages artists, and organises events and productions. It is one of the biggest talent agencies in Singapore.

(Image: ken1lim on Instagram)

Hype Records has many big-name artists under its wing, including local celebrities such as Singapore’s first Idol Taufik Batisah, and actresses Jeanette Aw and Chen Liping.

Did you know Ken Lim was involved in the re-scoring of Singapore's national anthem, 'Majulah Singapura'? He was in charge of recording the new modern version of the anthem, which became one of the key theme songs played during the country's National Day celebrations that year, in 2000.

(Instagram: ken1lim on Instagram)

From 2004 to 2009, Ken Lim served as a judge on ‘Singapore Idol’. According to 8days, his sharp tongue and biting comments made an immediate impression on everyone, earning him the moniker 'Singapore's Simon Cowell.

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Following his time on Singapore Idol, 8days reported that Ken Lim went on to create another local reality singing competition, The Final 1, for which he served as both creator and judge. Taufik Batisah also joined him in this venture as a co-judge, along with Singaporean singer-actress Kit Chan.

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Apart from Singapore Idol and The Final 1, Ken Lim also has quite an international influence. For one, he has worked with renowned Hong Kong film director and auteur Tsui Hark on multiple occasions, such as the production of Singapore’s 1999 National Day music video for 'Together.'

(Image: Singapore National Day Committee)

Ken Lim has also been active in the Indonesian music scene, collaborating with local artists and contributing to the growth of the industry in the region, broadening his horizons beyond Singapore. He was also a key judge on 'Asian Idol,' which was held in Indonesia.

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Ken Lim's influence extends to the political sphere as well. He has been involved in creating campaign collaterals for Singapore's General Election in 2020.

(Image: ken1lim on Instagram)

Aside from professional success, Ken Lim is married to Judy Hsu, a former singer and current CEO of Standard Chartered Bank's Consumer, Private, and Business Banking (CPBB). According to Mothership, the couple has two sons together and first met when Judy Hsu was still a singer.

(Image: Standard Chartered Bank, Mediacorp)

On March 30, 2023, Channel News Asia reported that Ken Lim was charged with abuse for inappropriately touching a woman in his Hype Records office on November 23, 2021. Many people were taken aback by these allegations, given Ken Lim's professional and well-established reputation in the industry.

Channel News Asia reports that despite the accusation, Ken Lim maintains his innocence and "strenuously and unequivocally" denies the charge, according to his lawyer, Navin Naidu.

(Image: ken1lim on Instagram)

Ken Lim is scheduled to appear in court for a pre-trial hearing on April 14, 2023. The same report notes that Ken Lim has been granted permission to leave Singapore for a work-related trip to Phuket, with an additional bail of $10,000.

(Image: ken1lim on Instagram)

While it's important to recognize his past contributions to Singapore's music scene, it is also important to hold people accountable for their actions. Whatever the verdict, it is certain that the outcome of this case will have a long-term impact on Ken Lim's legacy and the entertainment industry as a whole.

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According to an update from Channel News Asia, Ken Lim has a new fifth victim. In light of the new allegations against Ken Lim, he is still awaiting trial.

(Image: Mediacorp)