K-pop’s self-producing idols and how they’ve kept creative control over their work

Zico

South Korean rapper Zico, who debuted as the leader of Block B in 2011, is another influential figure in this movement. Before his successful solo career, he produced most of Block B’s discography, including their breakthrough hit, 2017’s Her. His prowess as a producer extended beyond his group, as he created hits for other artists and established his own label, KOZ Entertainment.

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In 2024, Zico released Spot!, a self-produced hip-hop track about a casual encounter between two friends at a late-night party which featured the powerful vocals of Blackpink’s Jennie. Spot! received critical acclaim, peaking at number one on the Circle Digital Chart and Billboard’s South Korea Songs chart for three weeks. Globally, the song debuted at number eight on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S., Zico’s first-ever entry and Jennie’s third top-ten hit on the chart.

Blackpink

K-pop supergroup Blackpink has also made significant strides in this arena. Jennie became the first member to venture into songwriting with Blackpink’s debut studio album The Album (2020), where she contributed to writing and composing Lovesick Girls. More recently, she was credited for vocals and songwriting for her single, Mantra (2024).

Jisoo’s songwriting debut came with her solo release Flower (2023), where she actively participated in the creative process. The track showcased her artistic vision while maintaining mass appeal. She was also credited for contributing to the lyrics for Yeah Yeah Yeah on their Born Pink album (2022).

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Lisa’s journey into production began with her solo debut album Lalisa (2021). She contributed to the creative direction and brought her style into the tracks.

Rosé has shown the most extensive involvement in music production among the members. Her solo debut single album R (2021) featured On The Ground and Gone, where she participated in songwriting and production meetings. She also played a role in crafting Blackpink’s group releases, including contributions to Yeah Yeah Yeah on Born Pink, and she’s credited as executive producer for her first studio album, Rosie (2024).

Their participation in the creative process, while still developing, has paved the way for more female K-pop idols to take active roles in music production.

BTS

BTS has redefined the paradigm of idol involvement in music production, with multiple members actively participating in the creative process. Suga, RM, and j-hope have been instrumental in shaping their group’s sound since their debut. BTS leader RM has written and composed much of the band’s output since their debut in 2013. To date, he has over 200 songs registered with KOMCA.

Suga, who produces under the alias ‘AGUST D’, has crafted hits not only for BTS but also for other artists like IU (Eight, a nostalgic pop rock song) and PSY (That That, which was ranked at number 20 on Billboard’s list of The 25 Best K-pop Songs of 2022).

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J-hope’s production skills shone through in his debut solo studio album Jack In The Box (2022), where he took charge of the creative direction. His production style, particularly in tracks like More and Arson, combines old-school hip-hop elements with contemporary sounds.

Soyeon

(G)I-dle’s leader and rapper Soyeon represents a significant milestone as one of the most prolific female idol-producers in the industry. Since the group’s debut in 2018, she has produced numerous hits. She was credited with writing the lyrics, music and arrangement for both their debut song Latata and their next single Hann, and she also helped write five songs from (G)I-dle’s debut extended play I Am.

Additionally, Soyeon and longtime collaborator Yummy Tone wrote and composed all of the songs on I Trust, the group’s third EP, including the lead single "Oh My God."

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Her involvement in the creative process extends to writing lyrics, composing melodies, and overseeing production. She has set a new standard for female artistry in K-pop.

Seventeen

Seventeen has earned the nickname “self-producing idols” through their consistent involvement in their music creation since their debut in 2015. At the forefront of this is vocal team leader Woozi, the primary producer of the K-pop group. Working closely with member Vernon and their in-house producer Bumzu, Woozi has produced nearly all of Seventeen’s discography, including hits like Don’t Wanna Cry and Left & Right. His consistent involvement in production has helped establish Seventeen’s distinctive musical identity.

Aside from his work as a soloist and with Seventeen, Woozi has also written for other K-pop artists such as NU’EST W, Ailee, and I.O.I.

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The K-pop group’s self-production model has evolved to include solo ventures. Vernon’s self-composed and self-written Black Eye and Hoshi’s Spider showcase their production styles. As Seventeen’s team leader, Hoshi also plays a crucial role in conceptualising choreography that complements the musical arrangement. Members Mingyu and Joshua have acontributed tod in songwriting, contributing to tracks like Domino and 2 MIN,US 1 respectively.

Stray Kids

Stray Kids has revolutionised the self-producing landscape in K-pop through their production unit 3Racha, comprising members Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han. The trio began creating music together before Stray Kids’ official debut in 2018.

Stray Kids leader Bang Chan brings years of production experience to the table, having learned music production during his seven-year trainee period at JYP Entertainment. His comprehensive understanding of music arrangement and production has been crucial in shaping Stray Kids’ sound, such as their debut track District 9.

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Changbin, known for his sophisticated wordplay and rapid-fire delivery, crafts impactful verses and hooks, often incorporating intense hip-hop elements, evident in tracks like ZONE and CIRCUS. His contribution to the group’s darker concepts has helped establish Stray Kids' reputation for pushing musical boundaries.

Han, the group’s ace who excels in both singing and rapping, brings versatility to 3Racha. His melodic sensibility has been instrumental in creating some of the group’s most memorable choruses, while his rap verses in songs like God’s Menu and Thunderous showcase his ability to craft compelling lyrics that resonate with listeners.

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