If there’s anything I’ve learned from covering pop music for over a decade, it’s that songwriters and collaborators are just as important as the artists themselves. Though they often work behind the scenes, this feature is a chance to shine the light on some of k-pop’s most innovative and accomplished producers and composers.

Daniel Caesar & Ludwig Lindell

Years active: 2013-present

Associated Acts: Red Velvet, Girls’ Generation, EXO-CBX, VIXX, Boys Republic, Pentagon

Their sound: Big, bombastic sing-along choruses with an emphasis on classic pop melody. Meticulously produced, energetic instrumentals that forgo trends in favor of a more timeless approach.

Why you should love them: This year’s mammoth hit Red Flavor may have cemented their place in k-pop, but Caesar and Loui have been churning out incredible k-pop material for years. Simply put, there is not a bad song in their discography. The duo doesn’t do “subtle.” Whether it’s a title track or a b-side, their work bursts with an addictive energy that demands attention. This is big-budget, megawatt pop music — the likes of which doesn’t come around as often as it used to.

Examples of their best work:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCsLO_7364I