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| Photo Courtesy of JQ |
If one thing unites most, if not all, of our readers, it’s the love of K-pop - the genre that has continued to dominate the music industry. As consumers, we love to participate in trends, learn the lyrics, and many have even learned Korean through this. But just what does it take to write the songs that many have come to love and cement themselves in staple playlists or live sets?
South Korean songwriter and producer JQ has written over 523 of these songs, with over 20 reaching number one on the K-pop charts. He is also the person behind MUMW K-POP Academy. Having written for SHINee, EXO and Red Velvet, to name a few, he took to London's KKCUK last month to give a talk on the beauty of song writing and the process behind it. Sharing his vision of music and the insights into what he feels it takes to create music, he provided workshops for students looking to write and work within the K-pop industry.
He claims that the key factors for success in the art are hard work, determination, and the love for music. He’s even launched his own academy to help upcoming writers. The MUMW K-POP Academy is a platform for students to learn key themes of song writing and services to those who want a career in the industry. To those wishing to start out, what is his key advice? “diligence, creativity, and humility.”
For this segment of The K-Wave, we spoke to this wonderful songwriter about his own journey, as well as some lessons he learned within the industry.
KpopWise: Let's start with your song writing career. What initially drew you into writing songs? Had you gravitated towards writing songs for yourself to perform, or was it always for others?
JQ: I originally debuted as a rapper, and at the time I began writing lyrics simply to tell my own story through my own songs. It was almost like keeping a diary in music. The turning point came when I wrote “Love Should Go On” for SHINee. It was the first time I had written words for someone else’s voice, and it made me realise that lyrics are not just lines on a page; they have the power to embody another person’s life and emotions and even become part of a fan’s most cherished memories.
KpopWise: How do you approach creating a song? Do you find each process different, and is it a time-consuming experience on average? How long would a song take to write?
JQ: Whenever I receive a demo, I immerse myself completely. I listen to it over and over until the music begins to paint vivid images in my mind, from landscapes and emotions to colours and characters. From there, I translate those images into words. On average, it takes me about a day or two to complete a song, but within that short span of time, I live entirely inside the world of that music.
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| Photo Courtesy of JQ |
Kpopwise: What are your favourite stories to tell via your song writing, and have you always had an interest in creating stories?
JQ: I’m drawn to stories of change and contrast, like love’s sweetness and pain, dreams pursued against the odds, and fragile moments hidden beneath strength. I prefer one striking image or a single truthful line over a long plot.
I’ve always been fascinated by storytelling. Even when I was rapping, I treated each track like a diary entry with a beginning, a turn, and a reveal. Now I start with the artist’s character and world, then build a narrative that highlights their most compelling moment. Imagery is at the heart of my process, the backbone that holds the story together while letting the singer shine.
KpopWise: You recently participated in a special lecture at the KKCUK in London discussing K-pop lyric writing. For those who missed it, what was the highlight of the talk for you?
JQ: Giving a lecture on K-pop in the UK, the birthplace of pop music, was an immense honour. What moved me the most was seeing the students’ eyes light up with passion and curiosity. In that moment I realised that my journey and my words could inspire someone else’s. It was not just a lecture; it was a shared vision of music’s future with people who truly love it.
KpopWise: The event consisted of a two-day workshop. What was the most rewarding part of the time spent with people, and what surprised you the most about those partaking?
JQ: The most rewarding part was watching the students write their own lyrics and share them with each other, connecting through music. Although I was there as a teacher, I found myself learning from them too. What surprised me most was how fresh and fearless their ideas were. Seeing them reinterpret K-pop in their own voice convinced me that its future is incredibly bright, transcending borders and languages.
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| Photo Courtesy of JQ |
KpopWise: Having written K-pop songs, are you surprised by the reception it has had from global audiences in the last decade?
JQ: When I first started out, the term 'K-pop' didn’t even exist. We simply called it “Korean pop” at home. Now, people all over the world sing in Korean. Hearing my lyrics played on the streets of London, in a club in New York, or in a café in Southeast Asia is indescribable. It reminds me that what we are doing is no longer just music; it is culture in motion.
KpopWise: Writing lyrics behind hits like EXO’s “Ko Ko Bop” and Red Velvet’s “Bad Boy”, do you feel pressure to keep writing strong songs?
JQ: I don’t approach songs with the pressure of writing a “hit”. Instead, my focus is always on whether the song and the artist complement each other perfectly. As I mentioned, I see myself as a designer, and my job is to dress the artist and the melody in lyrics that fit like a tailor-made suit. That is my true mission.
KpopWise: Do you see patterns and trends in today's music and lyrics you feel you have to follow, and how do you prefer to go into writing? What do you find works for you?
JQ: Of course, trends exist, and it’s natural to absorb them. But I try not to be trapped by them. If you only chase trends, you risk losing yourself. I’d rather carve out my own path because, in the long run, authenticity speaks louder than fashion.
KpopWise: The MUMW K-POP Academy is an excellent platform diving into key themes of songwriting and offers an array of services to those who want a career in the industry. How did you start the academy, and what made you want to share/help others?
JQ: The academy wasn’t planned from the start. It began as a small crew of six lyricists who simply wanted to work together. But as our songs started reaching the public and gaining recognition, more people wanted to join us. That’s how it naturally grew into what it is today. Now, I see it as my way of giving back and of preparing the next generation to take music further than we ever could.
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| Photo Courtesy of JQ |
KpopWise: Students have gone on to write songs with ZeroBaseOne and Red Velvet's Wendy. For those who wish to get to a high level, what is your advice for navigating the industry and getting to work with artists?
JQ: To work with artists for the long term, you need three things: diligence, creativity, and humility. Without those, it’s hard to survive in this industry. Because at its core, music is not about technique; it’s about people.
KpopWise: Why do you think K-pop has exploded the way it has, and how do you incorporate that into song writing? Do you cater to the artist's requests, or do you pitch to the artist your songs?
JQ: There isn’t one simple answer. K-pop’s success is the sum of countless producers, agencies, artists, and fans giving their very best. Together, they’ve created something powerful enough to move hearts across the world. As lyricists at MUMW, we always prioritise the direction of the artist or agency and aim to craft lyrics that resonate most naturally with them.
KpopWise: What's interesting is how global audiences have taken to K-pop even if they don't speak the language. What do you think makes it so special?
JQ: K-pop isn’t just something you listen to. It’s something you see, feel, and experience. It engages all the senses: the performances, the visuals, and the fandom culture. That’s why even those who don’t understand the language can still be swept away by its energy.
KpopWise: For those who love to write and make music, what advice would you give to creatives who are either struggling to begin or in creative slumps?
JQ: Music is wonderful as a hobby, but when it becomes your job, it can be exhausting and at times discouraging. In those moments, the best thing you can do is remind yourself why you began. I was a late bloomer and often thought about giving up, but I always returned to the same truth: I love music. Even if I had nothing else, music alone would be enough to make life worth living. That belief is what carried me through.
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| Photo Courtesy of JQ |
KpopWise: Having worked with many incredible artists, which one would be your dream to write and collaborate with?
JQ: I’ve already been blessed to work with incredible artists. For me, it’s less about finding new names and more about continuing to grow with the ones I’ve already shared so much with. Long-term collaboration is where the magic deepens.
KpopWise: When not writing, what do you love to do to switch off and not burn out?
JQ: For me, avoiding burnout means finding balance and reconnecting with life outside of music. I travel, read books from completely different fields, or spend quiet time in nature. Stepping away allows me to return with fresh inspiration. If you only stare at music, you risk collapsing under its weight. But when life feeds your creativity, the music flows naturally again.
KpopWise: What song is your pride and joy that you can’t believe you got to write on?
JQ: To date I have written over 523 songs, with about 20 of them reaching number one on the K-pop charts. Those numbers alone are humbling and fill me with gratitude, but it is difficult for me to single out just one track. Every song I have written feels like a meaningful milestone. What moves me most is knowing that even through moments of exhaustion and struggle, I never gave up and continued building this body of work step by step. Each song carries the memory of its creation, and together they remind me how far I have come. That is why all of my songs are precious to me.
KpopWise: Finally, what's next for you?
JQ: Looking ahead, my goal is to keep making meaningful music with my students, colleagues, and the next generation of writers. I want MUMW to become a place that nurtures many more voices beyond my own. At the same time, I’ve begun stepping into production, creating a label that can tell powerful, meaningful stories through albums. It’s not just about songs anymore; it’s about building a platform for music that lasts.
Follow JQ
MUMW K-Pop Academy | Official Site | Instagram | YouTube