Torsten “octose” Ingvaldsen is a Seoul-via-Portland ethnographer and media maestro with knowledge of all things popular culture. He’s particularly fascinated by lifestyle/creative economies surrounding subcultural phenomena and has presented research at Korea University, Monash University, and the University of California. He has similarly spoken to various brands’ APAC teams regarding trends within Korea’s booming music industry, crafting workshops to dictate newfound marketing strategies for the region. Torsten has also orchestrated successful PR campaigns for some of your favorite brands and musicians, co-orchestrated Lil Yachty and Smokepurpp’s first Asia tours, Lil Uzi Vert's first performance in South Korea, and was previously HYPEBEAST’s sole global correspondent in Seoul, South Korea.

Torsten most recently completed an MBA at Yonsei University, furthering his interest in entertainment and media by focusing on next-generation initiatives that are pioneering newfound creative economies in the phygital space. He has experience in U.S. and APAC music and media markets, with specific expertise concerning A&R (multi-platinum), creative, marketing, and business development strategies.

Torsten was recently featured in Billboard Pro’s Inside the Business of Western Songwriters in K-Pop & J-Pop.