By Honorary Reporter Volga Serin Suleymanoglu from Turkiye (Turkey)

Photos = Shorelle

Shorelle is a multi-platinum singer-songwriter who is also a vocal coach and director based in Seoul. Born Linda Quero in Italy and trained in London, she made her K-pop debut in 2019 and is best known for co-writing "Heart on the Window" by Jin of BTS featuring Wendy of Red Velvet.

In an email interview from Nov. 14-17, she shared her insights into the creative process behind writing songs for K-pop. 

The following are excerpts from the interview.

These are photos of Shorelle at events she attended in Seoul.

Briefly introduce yourself.
I'm a K-pop singer-songwriter originally from Italy and now living in Seoul. I write songs for renowned artists such as Jin of BTS, Nayeon of TWICE, ITZY, Taeyeon, LE SSERAFIM, D.O. of EXO, KARD and MAVE. Additionally, I'm often featured as a singer or artist on K-drama soundtracks and in video games.

How did you get interested in K-pop?
I first got into K-pop through BIGBANG after friends recommended it. While studying at the Academy of Contemporary Music in London, my professor offered me a publishing deal to write for Korean and Japanese artists. That immersed me in K-pop, and I quickly fell in love with the music of artists like BTS, Stray Kids, ATEEZ, Jay Park and Gray.

What about K-pop appeals to you?
What draws me is the incredible dedication to visuals, dance routines and trendy production sounds. K-pop artists truly put on a show for their fans with infectious melodies and catchy dance moves. Most of all, I admire their unparalleled work ethic. Having worked with many idols as a songwriter and vocal coach, I've seen firsthand their relentless dedication, which fans deeply appreciate and support.

Which songs or projects are you most proud of?
I'm excited to mention Jin and Wendy's "Heart on the Window," which I co-wrote with Pdogg and Alex Karlsson. The idea for the song came to me while we were listening to melodic ideas. The image of a heart on a window symbolized that despite life's changing seasons and the passage of time, real emotions endure. Jin and Wendy's vocal performances truly exceeded expectations, blending beautifully and conveying deep emotion.

How is working with K-pop artists and producers?
I was mesmerized by the musical mind of Pdogg while writing "Heart on the Window" with him. His work ethic inspired me to do better and work harder. He's by far the best and quickest vocal producer I've ever met, and we have so much fun working together. 

The most successful artists and producers I've met have one thing in common: allowing the inner excited kid to come out and play whenever in the studio. That's where the genius lies. That's how the magic happens when you're just unapologetically yourself.

Shorelle works at a recording studio.

Who are your favorite K-pop acts?
It's really difficult to choose but I'll go with my top three: HWASA, ATEEZ and BTS. As for songs, I wish I wrote EXO's "Ko Ko Bop," ENHYPEN's "Fever" and iKON's "Love Scenario."

How do you cater to cultures in your lyrics and what do you pay attention to?
I just write what I feel. Being relatively young, I feel closely connected to K-pop audiences through social issues like women's empowerment, personal growth and self-love, which are recurring themes in my work. Women still face major challenges such as being underpaid and rarely chosen for top positions over men.

On the left is an album autographed for Shorelle by LE SSERAFIM and on the right is her recording studio.

What advice do you have for aspiring K-pop singers or composers? 

Songwriting is like a muscle, you have to train and write a lot of bad songs before you get good. However, one good song can change your career overnight. If you want to be seen as someone serious, you have to dedicate yourself to your craft day and night. I've been writing songs professionally for almost six years, but still feel like I'm barely scratching the surface. Experience is important, as is networking, so reach out to people you admire or want to work with.

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.