Audio-K Best K-Pop songwriters/producers: Kenzie [Appreciation Thread]

[lweebee]

Hey guys, so after listing out and appreciating songs written by Seo Ji-Eum, I want to mention another SM (there are several more) instrumental songwriter, probably the most famous SM songwriter/producer:

 

 

Kim Yeon-Jung (김연정) aka KENZIE

 

 

 

Kenzie is a powerhouse and experienced songwriter AND producer. She studied music in the US and is married to producer Kim Jung-Bae who she oftens work with. Here are some favorites from her:

 

 

 

 

Exo - Overdose (wrote & co-produced)

 

 

 

 

 

Exo - Wolf (wrote)

 

 

 

 

f(x) - Red Light (wrote)

 

 

 

 

f(x) - Hot Summer (wrote)

 

 

 

 

f(x) - Pinocchio (Danger)  (wrote)

 

 

 

 

 

f(x) - Milk  (wrote & co-produced)

 

 

 

 

 

 

BoA - Copy & Paste  (wrote)

 

 

 

 

 

BoA - Hurricane Venus  (wrote)

 

 

 

 

 

TVXQ - Humanoids  (wrote)

 

 

 

 

Super Junior - Devil  (wrote & co-produced)

 

 

 

 

Super Junior - Spy  (wrote)

 

 

 

 

 

Girls' Generation - Oh!  (produced)

 

 

 

 

Girls' Generation - Chocolate Love (wrote)

 

 

 

 

 

Red Velvet - Huff n Puff  (wrote)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incredible! He catalog is remarkable!!!! She's been in the industry for almost 15 years and still manages to be creative today. She is revered by other famous Korean songwriters (such as Kim Eana who's thread will be up some day in the future..) and has definitely made a name of herself even internationally.

 

What do you guys think? Any favorite listed/unlisted??

 

[bluecottoncandy]

So she wrote that cheese line in wolf 

[Mari~]

So she wrote that cheese line in wolf 

ICONIC 

 

She also wrote lyrics for "Transformer" and many more~

 

You slow down, then you speed up~

 

Iconic lyrics queen 

[wealthyriver]

Kenzie's songs are always hit or miss to me (I actually prefer her earlier works), but I can't deny the amount of influential contribution that she's made to SM in particular & KPop in general  Plus I'm glad we're having a big name who's a woman in this male-dominated industry 

Here are some of my favorite tracks composed by Kenzie 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bRv7iE0S0Y

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P/S: Isn't Hot Summer the korean cover of a german hit though?

[baiichi]

Among the great songs, she wrote Wolf 

ICONIC nevertheless 

[blazeaire]

Kenzie's songs are always hit or miss to me (I actually prefer her earlier works), but I can't deny the amount of influential contribution that she's made to SM in particular & KPop in general  Plus I'm glad we're having a big name who's a woman in this male-dominated industry 

Here are some of my favorite tracks composed by Kenzie 

 

 

 

 

P/S: Isn't Hot Summer the korean cover of a german hit though?

Yeah I prefer her earlier stuff too, they were more 'poppy' and had more of a cheerful sound     

[nhs97]

She wrote so many good songsðŸ‘

[spar-Q_isme]

this one also a hit

 

kyuhyun-at gwanghwamun

 

 

 

and this one too

 

 

 

[lweebee]

I love that you guys think so critically about her work!! For better or worse, I might be one of the few who actually enjoyed the randomness and quirkiness of "Wolf". Although I must agree that her older work shines brighter than anything she's done recently. (except the ones I've listed).

 

 

P/S: Isn't Hot Summer the korean cover of a german hit though?

 

That's the trick with SM credits wise. For those who don't know, here is the song that SM bought for Hot Summer: 

 

 

 

SM is obviously known for buying the rights to all these European and US songs (Hot Summer, I Got A Boy, Electric Shock, Run Devil Run, Juliette and many more). However, the credits for lyrics never really mention the original songwriter or list them under "composer". So in "Hot Summer"'s case, Kenzie acts as a lyricist only. Half of the job is done as there already is a melody to the lyrics but finding the right lyrics on a predefined melody is definitely not an easy work.

 

Generally a company would submit the original lyrics to one of their many songwriters (which SM has plenty) and move to the next one until they're satisfied with the result. 

 

It's always insightful to notice how much an original has been changed. "Hot Summer"'s production is pretty much exactly the same beat but SM polished it. Made it a bit poppier, bubblier and overall better engineered. The vocal production is miles better as well (as expected from SM). Kenzie didn't change the melody at all (which is a bit disappointing but Amber's rap adds something fresh. Maybe I should open specific threads about those songs that are bought rather than made in-house.

[wealthyriver]

Maybe I should open specific threads about those songs that are bought rather than made in-house.

 

Please do   I still remember there was a fuss when My Name came out about BoA's Spark suspected of plagiarism, but it turned out that SM had already bought the rights from the original song's (sung by Luis Fonsi) owner 

[tigha293]

I love that you guys think so critically about her work!! For better or worse, I might be one of the few who actually enjoyed the randomness and quirkiness of "Wolf". Although I must agree that her older work shines brighter than anything she's done recently. (except the ones I've listed).

 

 

That's the trick with SM credits wise. For those who don't know, here is the song that SM bought for Hot Summer:

 

 

 

 

SM is obviously known for buying the rights to all these European and US songs (Hot Summer, I Got A Boy, Electric Shock, Run Devil Run, Juliette and many more). However, the credits for lyrics never really mention the original songwriter or list them under "composer". So in "Hot Summer"'s case, Kenzie acts as a lyricist only. Half of the job is done as there already is a melody to the lyrics but finding the right lyrics on a predefined melody is definitely not an easy work.

 

Generally a company would submit the original lyrics to one of their many songwriters (which SM has plenty) and move to the next one until they're satisfied with the result.

 

It's always insightful to notice how much an original has been changed. "Hot Summer"'s production is pretty much exactly the same beat but SM polished it. Made it a bit poppier, bubblier and overall better engineered. The vocal production is miles better as well (as expected from SM). Kenzie didn't change the melody at all (which is a bit disappointing but Amber's rap adds something fresh. Maybe I should open specific threads about those songs that are bought rather than made in-house.

i can make a comparison between her earlier vs recent work but then who am i im merely a listener lol..like,honestly between chocolate love vs devil,i cant say which one is better..i like them all

 

and about the song credit,arrangement etc, again,it's a good read from you

[Starry Night]

Maybe I should open specific threads about those songs that are bought rather than made in-house.

 

Please do I really love knowing about the ppl behind singers success so pls continue with these threads 

[Kyuflower]

i like most of her works

 

anyways she composed these masterpieces too

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-nb205lx90