Prominent U.S. music producer Quincy Jones teamed up Thursday with a South Korean entertainment company to help promote Korea’s K-pop stars globally.

“I feel like there is a very strong connection between Korea and the U.S.” Jones said after signing a deal with CJ E&M, one of South Korea’s biggest entertainment firms.

The deal was signed between Jones, known for producing hit songs such as “We Are the World” and “Thriller” with legendary American singer Michael Jackson, and CJ E&M’s music division chief Ahn Joon.

The deal calls on Jones and CJ E&M to promote K-pop globally and set up a joint fund which will help talented musicians study at the Berklee College of Music in the United States.

Jones will serve as executive producer in co-production with the Korean company.

“There’s a sensibility here I have not found in Japan, China or Vietnam,” he said, citing the success of South Korean rapper Psy’s global chart-topper “Gangnam Style.”

“When I first came here last time, I felt like I was back home in Chicago. They (Koreans and Americans) have an emotional connection, musical connection, conversation connection.” (AFP)