Senior Idols as Mentors: Jeon Soyeon, IU, G-Dragon, and More Empower Junior Artists

Notable figures in the K-pop scene such as Jeon Soyeon, IU, G-Dragon, Zico, Changbin from Stray Kids, and Jung Yonghwa are celebrated not just as idols, but also recognized as talented singer-songwriters and creative artists beyond the confines of their respective groups. Recently, their contributions have gained significant recognition as they are credited on new music releases from emerging artists.

While it’s a common practice for senior artists to assist their junior counterparts in music production, it is particularly impressive that many of these established stars are simultaneously advancing their own musical endeavors while mentoring the newer generation.

A remarkable collaboration to note is the partnership between Jeon Soyeon from (G)I-DLE and the group QWER. Soyeon took on multiple roles for QWER’s title track “My Name is Sunny,” which debuted on September 23. Her adept craftsmanship of the lyrics resonated deeply with QWER’s artistic identity, leading the track to maintain a position in the top five for several weeks post-release.

In an unexpected move, IU chose to support Billlie’s long-awaited return after a hiatus of 1 year and 7 months. She penned the lyrics for their single “remembrance candy” from the mini-album launched on October 16. The song encapsulates themes of rediscovering precious memories, which left a hopeful impact that member Tsuki appreciated.

G-Dragon, preparing for his own solo return after a 7-year hiatus, contributed as a songwriter for the title track “Clik Clak” on the debut album of BABYMONSTER. Despite no longer being with YG Entertainment, he continues to foster a strong rapport with the company, infusing his unique “YG DNA” into the nascent group.

Jung Yonghwa also played a vital role by co-writing and composing the track “He + She = We” for Ampers&One, which released on October 22, and providing mentorship during their recording sessions. Moreover, Changbin from Stray Kids made waves with his involvement in writing, composing, and featuring in ITZY’s track “Vay” from their latest mini-album “Gold.”

It’s increasingly common for veteran artists to lend their expertise as producers to junior groups. Zico has taken the reins with BoyNextDoor, while BoA has extended her talent to NCT’s Wish. Similarly, Kim Jaejoong has broadened his scope by producing the rookie girl group SayMyName.

The benefits of these collaborations are symbiotic: junior artists gain invaluable musical guidance and promotional leverage, while senior artists can elevate their standing within the industry upon the projects’ successes. For instance, Jeon Soyeon enhanced her reputation as a producer thanks to QWER’s success, and Young K solidified his credentials as a lyricist with H1-KEY’s “Rose Blossom.” An industry insider observed that while these collaborations often stem from personal or agency relationships, there is a growing trend of inter-company support, enabling seniors to cement their roles as accomplished songwriters and producers.

Source: Daum

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