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.

Joombas Music Group

Years active: 2010-present

Associated Acts: EXO, SHINee, Girls’ Generation, Taeyeon, VIXX, GFriend, Monsta X, UP10TION, B.A.P

Their sound: Clean pop melodies supported by robust arrangements tailored to individual artists’ sound. Strikes a successful balance between k-pop’s experimental side and a sense of familiar accessibility.

Why you should love them: As a production team of over a dozen composers, it’s understandable that Joombas’ material is often quite varied in sound. But ever since their massive breakthrough with EXO’s Growl, the group has gone on to create many of k-pop’s blockbusters. Their appeal feels truly global, pulling elements from various musical cultures to craft a hybrid style that draws equally from the past and the future. If you’ve listened to k-pop at all during these past few years, you’ve no doubt heard at least one song produced by Joombas.

Examples of their best work:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wKcxx1Soao

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8VkS2FMf7M