Lim, along with Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman, is one of the genres main figureheads and credited with popularising the so called "popera" across the world.

The genre is a cross-over of both pop music and classical opera.

The Korean popera singer was offered the position, not only due to his fame and voice, but also his consistent philanthropic work which fits the Gwangju 2015 Universiade objective to live up to the value of peace and humanity, it is claimed.

He was formally appointed into the role at Gwangju's City Hall today.

Lim Hyung-joo is one of the world's most recognisable popera stars having performed in Opera Houses across the globe ©Gwangju 2015



In 1998, Lim surprised the music scene after releasing his first solo album when he was just 12.

He has since performed in many prestigious concert halls around the world, including the New York City Carnegie Hall.

He has recently dedicated his song, "A Thousand Winds", to the passengers of the Sewol ferry disaster which claimed nearly 300 lives this April.

The popera star joins K-Pop star Suzy, Olympic sports stars Ki Bo-bae, Son, Yahng Hak-seon and Choi- Eun-sook as promotional ambassadors for the Games.

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