Top 10 Artists You Didn't Know Wrote for K-Pop

It’s impossible to forget Jojo’s impact on the early aughts pop scene with her Billboard charting hits “Too Little Too Late” and “Leave (Get Out).” It’s also impossible to ignore the impact of chart-topping South Korean girl group f(x) on the K-pop scene. Together, the female icons share more than just their fierce reputations. “Free Somebody,” the title track on f(x) member Luna’s solo album, was originally written by Jojo. The singer/songwriter shared on Twitter that she initially wrote the “hot” track while producing music in Sweden, but with some adaptation, the song later became Luna’s fresh K-pop hit.

Will.i.am was recently featured on a collaboration with Steve Aoki and EXO’s Lay Zhang that he dubbed “cultural exchange at its finest.” Yet, this isn’t the Black Eyed Peas member’s first venture into K-pop. After 2NE1 leader CL performed with the Black Eyed Peas at the 2011 Mnet Asian Music Awards, will.i.am reached out to produce more tracks for the girl group. He’s since been vocal on social media about his work with both CL and 2NE1, raising anticipation and excitement for the various projects that have come from the unlikely partnership. 2NE1 even features on his song “Gettin’ Dumb.” Will.i.am has also worked with fellow anthem writer Psy. He features on Psy’s 2015 song “ROCKnROLLbaby,” and Psy said the dream collaboration made him “feel very successful.”

When Zara Larsson’s demo titled “Back & Forth” leaked online, it gave eager fans a fascinating inside look at the song’s evolution. With the help of producer /, who’d both previously worked with Larsson and helped produce for several K-pop groups, Larsson’s track would later become girl group TWICE’s “MORE & MORE.” MNEK explained that the end result was a well-executed reinterpretation of the original demo. Larsson is credited as a composer alongside an impressive roster of creatives, including fellow singer/songwriter Julia Micheals. No, this isn’t her only K-pop credit. Look no further than her feature on BTS’ “A Brand New Day.”

Carly Rae Jepsen’s ability to create a catchy pop tune makes her a shoe-in for nailing the K-pop girl group style, and her writing credit for girl group f(x) is proof. According to an interview with Jepsen, “When I’m Alone” was originally written in a session for her 2015 album “Emotion,” but she considered the song more of a bizarre brainstorm rather than a serious tracklist contender. However, the song wouldn’t go to waste, given that it was later picked up by SM Entertainment and translated for f(x)’s final album.

In what is likely the most bizarre combo featured on this list, Jay Sean’s “Deal With It” went through multiple iterations before becoming SHINee’s recognizable title track “Juliette.” Sean originally wrote the song to feature on his 2008 album “My Own Way.” Instead, Sean ended up handing the song over to Corbin Bleu, where you can still hear Sean’s vocals in the background. However, when SHINee released “Juliette” in 2011, fans quickly spotted a familiar tune. While the lyrics gave the song a whole new meaning, SM Entertainment had purchased the rights to “Deal With It” before making it over to give the song the signature SHINee twist.

Early 5SOS fans might remember when the band posted a video of themselves dancing along to an unreleased song with the lyrics “she’s a teenage queen.” The leaked snippet quickly gained traction online and many fans eagerly fought for the song to be released. It would eventually be released… only, several years later and not under the Australian boy bands’ name. After SM Entertainment acquired the rights, the song was turned into a Japanese b-side for Super Junior members Donghae & Eunhyuk. Though the song took on a new life, 5SOS members Calum Hood and Luke Hemmings are still credited as writers on the track.

Nearly a decade after SHINee’s “Lucifer” was released, pop star Bebe Rhexa took to social media to answer fans’ questions about her co-writing credit for one of the group's most popular songs. Rhexa explains that she wrote a sample for the song in her bedroom when she was just a teenager. And just like that Rexha’s original work developed into the driving electronic K-pop hit that fans know so well. When asked, Rhexa expressed she was eager to keep writing for the “dope” K-pop scene, and there are even rumors she’s working on an idea for BTS!

Charli joined the exclusive roster of artists who have featured on BTS songs with her inspirational pop ballad “Dream Glow.” Explaining the unusual way the song came about, Charli revealed that she’d had the beginnings of the song for years but hadn’t found a way to utilize it. The song was originally known as “Glow,” and the lyrics focused on catching feelings on a night out. However, when Charli worked with BTS, the song found its place as an uplifting encouragement piece about following your dreams. Charli has also worked alongside producer MNEK for girl group TWICE, and has a composing and arranging credit on the song “Girls Like Us.”

It’s no secret that many K-pop idols have a soft spot for Bruno Mars, which makes it exciting to see his name listed as a writing credit on the popular K-pop track “Press Your Number.” SHINee member Taemin has been a long time fan of Mars as an artist and producer, and was greatly honored to have Mars contribute to his debut solo album “Press It.” The title track was originally composed by K-pop veterans The Stereotypes for Mars’ own library. While Taemin did not get to work directly with Mars, his influence can clearly be heard in the funky soul backing to the song. Taemin then penned his own Korean lyrics and the song was turned into a powerful solo for the K-pop sensation.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Kim Petras
An Exciting TWICE Collaboration for LGBTQ+ K-Pop Fans

Skrillex
The Songwriter Lent His DJ Chops to SHINee Member Key’s Electronic Solo Track

JC Chasez
Bit by the Boyband Bug, Former NSYNC Member Would Later Write for SHINee’s Taemin & Boy Group NU’EST

Diplo
Diplo Takes K-Pop to the Club with G-Dragon & T.O.P.’s Hip Hop Unit Song

Jade Thirwall
The Girl Band Stars Aligned When the Little Mix Member Collaborated With TWICE

Ed Sheeran is no stranger to the songwriting scene, and having written for everyone from Justin Bieber to One Direction to Taylor Swift, he isn’t afraid to experiment with different genres. Sheeran added a K-pop jewel to his songwriting crown when he sent the early stages of a song idea to BTS. With some adaptation, the song later became their 2019 track "Make it Right." Sheeran expressed that while his personal music style may differ from BTS’, he enjoyed writing for an artist whose fan base would appreciate the fun style more than his own. Sheeran also had a role in writing the band’s recent radio hit “Permission to Dance,” which earned him yet another Billboard number one.