K-Pop A&R talks about working with idols, freelancing vs SM, what makes K-Pop unique + more 👀

Рет қаралды 34,862

Күн бұрын

7 years of working in the K-Pop industry as both an A&R and producer has taught Michelle Cho a lot of things! In this video, she describes the behind-the-scenes process of how idols join producers in songwriting camps, her freelance vs label contract life, and answers other commonly asked questions about the K-Pop writing process!
🎵 Follow Michelle on her socials:
➡️ IG: / michelle_mkcho
➡️ KZfaq: • 본캐로 돌아온 음악하는 베짱이의 음악이야기
🎵Interview by Umu:
➡️ Twitter: / umucado
➡️ IG: / umucado
➡️ Business email: reacttothek@gmail.com
🎵Video edited by Colton Burge:
➡️ KZfaq: / maninbackground
➡️ Twitter: / lazyacedia
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
▶️ Watch more of our interviews with K-Pop artists & songwriters here: • ALL of ReacttotheK's K...
➡️ Help us make more videos like this by supporting us on Patreon: / reacttothek
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0:00 Who is Michelle Cho?
0:49 A&R vs Songwriter (Andrew Choi shout out)
3:02 TAEMIN's Danger
4:20 TAEMIN's Press Your Number
4:48 Produce X 101
5:43 Working with idols
6:25 Jonghyun, Amber, BoA, Henry
7:45 How idols join songwriting sessions
9:10 Seventeen Habit
9:56 Michelle's common A&R comments
10:56 Differences between K-Pop + Western Pop
13:58 Contractor at label vs freelancer (X1, Lee Jin Ah)
17:24 Growth of idol/experimentation with sound (Henry Lau)
18:27 Lessons learned as an A&R and producer
20:19 pun haha
20:27 Where you can follow Michelle!

Пікірлер: 104

@ReacttotheK 3 жыл бұрын

▶️ Watch Part 1 of this interview here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ip9no7KAupnalHU.html ▶️ Watch more of our interviews with K-Pop artists & songwriters here: kzfaq.info/sun/PLFw_XZtkCVMNX3IH9qhK9eG4vo_3tAl_5

@huonglydang6512 3 жыл бұрын

The reason why I'm still following SM since TVXQ. While some companies always use in-house producers with same hit-making motif over and over, SM has always the pioneer in experimenting music. I think that what big companies should do so that small companies have motivation to change themselves as well.

@raradaisy 3 жыл бұрын

@@iamekim427 you mean bit.boot?

@robynbrowne1277 3 жыл бұрын

Unpopular opinion: SM should hire Umu for PR lol cause they amount of connects this girl got is insane

@tupperware3631 3 жыл бұрын

her praising Woozi is * chefs kiss *

@justhairr 3 жыл бұрын

you may hate SM for their management (yeah let's not talked about it) but you can't deny their cleverness and mind-blowing way of thinking in this K-Pop industry , their Concept , their genre of music, esp voice and visual , their individual talent like you knew SM didn't gave them only vocal and dance training, but entertainment training and attitude training lmao

@thefxfestival 3 жыл бұрын

The worst love hate situation I'm stuck in😑

@justhairr 3 жыл бұрын

@@thefxfestival GURLLLL SAME 😂😂😂😂

@AnaS-xv8yb 3 жыл бұрын

They are also good at giving jobs for people who aren't well known . Ex some underrated producers, etc

@khennylabanero7085 3 жыл бұрын

Agree

@VanessaLouEOga 3 жыл бұрын

I love how she's like, 'Oh woozi?? The genius singer songwriter of svt who came in knowing exactly what he wants and we made Habit happened in a snap.'

@SiCKOO 3 жыл бұрын

Solidifying yourself as the best channel for kpop related industry interviews, reactions and behind the scenes insight with videos like these, Umu. Incredible content!

@BiancaDeAnglo97 3 жыл бұрын

I can feel Michelle's secondhand pain when she described her experience of going through 39 versions of that produce 101 song 😂😂😂

@yourWonandOnly 3 жыл бұрын

It's always nice to hear professionals praising woozi for his composing/songwriting skills..😍

@vantreese73 3 жыл бұрын

Clicked for Jonghyun and Taemin, stayed for Michelle Such a great interview! Great questions and great insight into the inner workings of the kpop world, will definitely be checking her channel out!

@layloo5244 3 жыл бұрын

Taemins solo stuff are so good. So grateful! When i saw that press your number was composed by Bruno mars i freaked. Anyways this content has long been needed for this industry, thank youu

@vousmevoyez6585 3 жыл бұрын

The reason why sm artist don't have an opportunity to produce their song because they do blind test. They don't just produce the song because an idol make it. And I think it's good because artist can really learn from it.

@kyrat6079 3 жыл бұрын

Anyone else think Umu should be a kpop journalist fulltime bc her interviews are some of the best!

@jangchani5354 3 жыл бұрын

This interview gave me an open mind. I just realized that a lot of kpop musics (esp SM ent) have a big different type of verse, like they don’t sound the same all the time. I mean when it comes to a song like let’s say psycho by rv, they did put another style to the 2nd verse. This also makes me think how difficult it is to be an anr. They did a lot of job to not only looking for a song for an artist but also develop their mind to make a great and appropriate song as requested. We have to appreciate anrs more for their work. And also I hope to see this kind of videos more so we can know more about the process of making music. Thank you! Xo

@piaheliza 3 жыл бұрын

People need to talk more about woozi's talent. Some even say that English translations doesn't do justice to his writings.

@v4leree 3 жыл бұрын

woaaa she's worked with the legends :') I'm so happy to hear about Jong's process to write, also How she was part of the most iconic and unique styles of SHINee and Taemin

@RestFromTheStreets 3 жыл бұрын

Wow, she was so diplomatic in saying "Koreans hate boring things" hahaha

@cottonclouds 3 жыл бұрын

Honestly ever since i got into kpop i've also developed that kind of "getting bored quickly" thing Michelle mentioned. I've also learned to appreciate music more as an art form and not just as entertainment!!

@leechaca 3 жыл бұрын

Woozi really really brilliant. The most genius idol

@butpa9043 3 жыл бұрын

Sm really has greatest

@imelda3157 3 жыл бұрын

"it's okay if it doesn't work out the way you thought" more like it's okay if people always late when it comes to appreciate masterpiece. we know damn well songs like the 7th sense and superhuman are masterpiece but people were sleeping on it. after years they started realize how both songs are actually a breakthrough

@NatarshaWong 3 жыл бұрын

I love experimentation because I get bored easily which is why I’m such a big sm stan and I really respect how all these people who work on sm music have praised sm for the creative freedom they’ve been given

@decide2think 3 жыл бұрын

Michelle talks about SM being creative and experimental, and I'm thinking about BBC and Loona's journey being just like that!

@shinesara226 3 жыл бұрын

*cries*

@superdol18 2 жыл бұрын

Fun fact: lee sooman co-produced loona concepts & images

@pecearimbi 3 жыл бұрын

People often look down on Kpop as "ripping off" of hiphop and Black culture/music, (ofc there is inherent racism and xenophobia in the industry, along with the repeated appropriation), but when I think about it the Kpop industry, esp. SM has done really well in actually hiring and opening up opportunities for Black artists, writers, and producers. There's so many POC writers, SM def outsourced their writers to the point that they had to "tour" Europe to find the right one (as Michelle mentioned). However i am not a black person and i'm afraid this observation would be somewhat speaking over them, if anyone came across this comment, please tell me what you think!

@NatarshaWong 3 жыл бұрын

Geoffrodamus who I believe contributed to kai’s mmmh said in an interview how he felt really supported as a black artist and how kpop has given him lots of opportunities! So I think your point is valid

@kyungsushi7018 2 жыл бұрын

Didnt SM has booth camp for producers and writers? Because I've seen a lot of producers who work with SM mentioned the booth camp

@octopu5ie 3 жыл бұрын

I like the "very good place to start" sound of music meme, that was very adorable (odorabol) :)

@confused7970 3 жыл бұрын

So i'm here to just say that this channel for me is an educational channel not entertainment. I'm not even joking the stuff i know about music comes from here and from twoset violin _great channel if you love classical music and comedy_ i don't listen to songs carelessly anymore... I actually pay attention and when something catches my attention i wait enthusiastically for you guys to tell me why it's catchy. I really hope you guys continue reacting to the music for the sake of music not for popularity and all of that. Thanks a lot for your efforts. This interview was great, i really hope you do more interviews like that and continue educating us on the creative aspect of Kpop

@ireneserrano4570 3 жыл бұрын

Artist also have to send their demo if they want their song included👏👏👏 that's fair and that keeps the quality level high

@neeha480 3 жыл бұрын

ah yes, my favourite session: Woozi getting the praise he deserves

@skyevin 3 жыл бұрын

Where are y'all, early squad? Woooooooo!! Edit: She's one of the best musicians that you've interviewed so far, Umu. Congratulations and thank you for being able to share this 💕

@aperson2730 3 жыл бұрын

We is here now

@cocazade7703 3 жыл бұрын

Part 1 was a really interesting watch, so i'm sure this will be too. I learned a lot about the work of an A&R in the kpop industry and you asked some really insightful questions Umu. It's clear you put a lot of work into videos like these and I really enjoyed so thank you. 💜

@YY_-tu9th 3 жыл бұрын

Now we're just waiting for SHINee's new released songs to be reviewed! 😎

@blk5772 3 жыл бұрын

These interviews always remind me why I love kpop and I learn so much from them!

@dream23z 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this kind of vid. It's interesting to know & understand the nature of work that the A&R do. 😄

@xerosolar307 3 жыл бұрын

Again thank you for this Umu, amazing to hear Michelle Cho talk about how the music works in the business, love it!!

@vien_3457 3 жыл бұрын

This is so insightful. THANKS UMU!

@slkslkslk 3 жыл бұрын

super interesting interview. when I first heard k-pop it felt like such a mess, like everything is in there. eventually, I got used to it. now if they don't change the tone every 8 bars I get bored. Big thanks to all the songwriters and producers out there who worked so hard to make every song interesting and different and performance ready. Thank you @ReacttotheK for this interview.

@ayoitsbellee 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, woozi is genius!!!!! 🤍✨

@dennieish2 3 жыл бұрын

NGL I JUST FINISHED THE FIRST PART AND THEN THE SECOND PART CAME OUT

@smaykk 3 жыл бұрын

I think we can all feel Michelle's passion for her work :) appreciate all your interviews that show us the inner workings of the industry, Umu!

@gn1367 3 жыл бұрын

i love henry cuz you know he does his music

@kuzu00 3 жыл бұрын

These types of videos are my favorites! Thank you so much for this content umu😍

@teresayt 3 жыл бұрын

It's such a joy to watch this vídeo! Thank you to all involved in producing it! 💗

@pansy5905 3 жыл бұрын

I love your channel so much! It's so creative with diversed contents of music and brings a lot of knowledge about music, and music producing as well

@littlebluehannah 3 жыл бұрын

Great content, Umu!! Can't wait for more of these

@unfairxtears 3 жыл бұрын

Chanhyuk akmu was talking about hating to send an explanation of his songs to a&r so he wrote a novel to explain, and i wouldn't have known a&r had i not watched this

@izzeri 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the video! This is so informative and amazing interview!

@OpinionatedMatt 3 жыл бұрын

11:01 I asked this question in a community post eons ago, I'm glad I have the possibility of having answers to it through you asking cool people that actually work in the business. Thank you!

@WitchlightNW 3 жыл бұрын

this was so interesting. if i worked in the music industry this is the type of job i think i would enjoy

@alexraystolyar9983 3 жыл бұрын

Like this conversation, very informative, good job umu! 💗

@rrringles 3 жыл бұрын

I learned so much from this! Also the editing slaps.

@upshot7032 3 жыл бұрын

Really interesting interview, I learned a lot. And shoutout to the editors as well, they’re really funny :D

@magnaeaiss 3 жыл бұрын

Wow i really like this. Thank you for this. I just knew how kpop produced the albums.

@charlieeyoung 3 жыл бұрын

Thank u so much for the interview

@MsSalugi 3 жыл бұрын

Amazing interview as always~!! Since Michelle mentioned him, it would be wonderful if Thomas Troelsen would agree to do an interview with Umu!😍 Before getting into K-pop, I was such a big fan of the Danish group Junior Senior in my middle school years (2010). Thomas wrote & produced for the group and even sang the chorus for their hit song, "Move Your Feet."💃🕺 I learned maybe a year after I became a K-pop fan that Thomas helped create many hits for SM: (TVXQ's Mirotic; SNSD's Run Devil Run; SHINee's Love Like Oxygen, Sherlock, Everybody; SUJU's Mr. Simple; f(X)'s Hot Summer, Nu ABO, and the list goes on!!) It would be great to hear from the man whose music has given me life and has followed me from my tweens until now, as an adult! He's kind of elusive on social media and interviews though, but that doesn't stop me from hoping to see him appear sometime in the future😌

@milagrosgarcia4833 2 жыл бұрын

aaaaah, you got so much quality content girl

@mq6845 3 жыл бұрын

I loved habit huhu. Anyways love this interview.

@doobydoba 3 жыл бұрын

I'm a proud Carat!

@pity614 3 жыл бұрын

This was so interesting to listen to! I feel I learned so much

@Oligom 3 жыл бұрын

This was so interesting 😍😍😍😍

@maygreenday2642 3 жыл бұрын

Great interview!

@CutleryWonder 3 жыл бұрын

Unreasonably happy to see a Dreamcatcher reference in here...

@zgarth1570 3 жыл бұрын

Indeed! So happy! And at the same time, knowing Umu's favorite groups for so many years, it made sense. :D

@aperson2730 3 жыл бұрын

Very interesting. Thank you Umu. Stay blessed hun 🙂

@svtrun858 3 жыл бұрын

It is quite interesting! 😊

@ireneserrano4570 3 жыл бұрын

The video editing.. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🔥💯✅

@iri1406 3 жыл бұрын

Am i able to watch 20 mins vid? No. Am i interested enough? Hell yeahh

@andc5595 3 жыл бұрын

9:12 they talk about Woozi

@dlldppie2244 3 жыл бұрын

9:29 woahae...^^

@AA-hb5dw 2 жыл бұрын

Start of you career with THE Lee Taemin’s Ace album. WOOOOOW.

@kazuhasgloves 3 жыл бұрын

ahhh, yeeaaa !!

@introvertedcarat 3 жыл бұрын

Dino sibs ❤🥺👏

@taesang5664 3 жыл бұрын

WOOZI

@leejihoonly645 3 жыл бұрын

Oh oh can you interview Bumzu ? 😭

@skicaca2024 3 жыл бұрын

THIS 👏

@ednaaa-u 3 жыл бұрын

Please, react to "Not by the moon" - Got7 I need it, I love that song and I love its reactions.♡

@raihankim49 3 жыл бұрын

Please react to "PIXY - WINGS" I sewar you'll like it! Coz pixy have a DREAMCATCHER's vibe!!! 🔥🔥🔥

@AnetaAugustine 3 жыл бұрын

I HAVE A QUESTION!!! (Will Michelle see this...?) (sorry first off thank you so so SO much Michelle and Umu for all your efforts in putting out this interview

@leteflondondu92 3 жыл бұрын

""She said "koreans get easily bored" and that's why they do a lot of unconventional stuff when making music but then how come the korean gp LOVES ballads?"" 1) korean ballads are done sometimes by idols themselves and sometimes they came from drama ost . 2) korean ballads are not like the western ballad they use much more complex chords progressions than the ballad we used in the west so its not boring. 3) when its come to overall sales kpop (which she refers as "idols music" even tho i dissagree with that definition) largely dominates the sales.i mean if you talk about park hyo shin as ballad singer who do well he is popular but he is not as big as exo bts blackpink etc..............

@ddidoul42 3 жыл бұрын

wooozi～

@noname-gm3hh 2 жыл бұрын

I loved Xima Xixima lmao

@feelmyrhythm6585 2 жыл бұрын

Umu u can apply job on sm tho👍

@ryejishinhwang4102 3 жыл бұрын

hello, im just curious why r u suddenly not reacting to got7?

@ReacttotheK 3 жыл бұрын

This document explains our song selection process! ^^ docs.google.com/document/d/1b5aQLWbYgUCm30Pj5-AalSjwMaq8gm5jOyrcbAlMu6c/edit?usp=sharing

@OpinionatedMatt 3 жыл бұрын

4:03 AHAHAHAHAH

@ikanurulfaradillah344 3 жыл бұрын

Please react Why Why Why by iKON. They just released their emotional digital single.

@sagecherry5737 3 жыл бұрын

우무언니 한글자막좀 ㅠ

@salehalmulhim5459 3 жыл бұрын

When u will do a reaction to don’t call me SHINee?

@ReacttotheK 3 жыл бұрын

docs.google.com/document/d/1uvf-u1EJVB-hmB3IU0P6M-obdMNu11fo_aUIf6dur70/edit?usp=sharing

@dragonhkss 3 жыл бұрын

시작부터 f(x) 4 walls 좋다

@sonofsarek 2 жыл бұрын

American music has been trash since 2005. It’s been well documented how US music companies produce music to the lowest common denominator. There are many reasons for this (FCC deregulation, Napster, MTV de-emphasis of music, poor songwriting, high cost-low benefit, defunding of music education, etc). I was pleasantly surprised when I randomly came across kpop in 2009. The choreo is obviously heavily influenced by Michael/Janet Jackson. The dance/rap breaks are just copying guitar solos of 80s rock music. The kpop companies aren’t reinventing the wheel, they are wisely modifying it to make it more modernized. I appreciate the attention to detail that these kpop companies value. I think Michael Jackson would be proud to see what kpop has become.