At the Golden Melody Festival in Taipei, YG Entertainment producer Mojo Kim (Seung Nam Kim) shared insights on how K-pop continues to succeed around the world. Known for managing global stars like Blackpink, YG is one of the most powerful entertainment companies in South Korea.
Kim spoke during a panel titled “K-pop Music Production Strategies for the Global Market”, alongside Ryan Farley of U.K.-based label Cooking Vinyl. The event gathered music industry leaders from across Asia to promote Mandarin music and global collaboration.
Kim said that producing a global hit in K-pop isn’t just about having a trendy sound — it’s about creating an emotional connection. “A&R matchmaking isn’t just about style – it’s about emotional language,” he told Variety. “We identify the sound that’s needed, then find creators who can express that emotion through music.”
K-pop companies often host international songwriting camps, where songwriters from different countries develop demo songs. These demos are then matched to the right artists. Korean producers and lyricists later refine them to fit the local market.
According to Kim, international audiences respond best to catchy melodies, clear rhythm, and strong groove, while Korean fans often value emotional storytelling and subtle moments like pauses in the music.
“Tone and groove come first for many global listeners,” Kim explained, “but in Korea, even silence can have meaning.”
More than 75% of K-pop songs released in 2024 involved global writers and producers, showing how cross-cultural teamwork is shaping the genre. Kim believes the key to future success is embracing cultural differences rather than avoiding them.
“Sometimes, language or workflow differences lead to tension,” he said. “But from that tension, new sounds and styles can emerge.”
Looking ahead, Kim believes K-pop will continue to grow by staying emotionally grounded while welcoming more international co-creators. He said, “Music’s ability to connect people emotionally across cultures is what will keep K-pop relevant in the global mainstream.”
