K-Interview: Team VENDORS (Music Production Studio) Founded By EL CAPITXN

Deena Jasmine, Chikmagalur, Karnataka

Get an exclusive look into the powerhouse collective that brings K-Pop to life!

Have you ever wondered who is behind the amazing music produced by your favorite K-POP artist? Well, look no further because VENDORS is a South Korean music production team that has been making waves in the industry since their debut in 2018. This music production team was formed by HYBE’s producer EL CAPITXN. VENDORS is a powerhouse collective of writers, composers, who have produced music for many Artists such as BTS, AGUST D (SUGA of BTS), PSY, ENHYPEN, SUNMI, Whee-in, GOT7, NCT, ZB1, MONSTA X, TXT and many others. We would like to thank Team VENDORS for taking out their time for this interview with Hallyuism. Please take a look here at their musical journey and experience!

First of all, we kindly request you to introduce yourself and your team to our readers and audience.

Hello! We are Team VENDORS, and we produce K-pop music. We’ve collaborated with various Korean artists, including AGUST D, NCT, ZEROBASEONE, PLAVE, PSY, TXT, and more. The name “VENDORS” signifies street vendors who offer a variety of goods, just like our approach to creating and selling music across different genres.

How did you first get started in the music production industry?

Our team’s journey began when EL CAPITXN (Jang Yi-jeong) who is now a songwriter at HYBE, and a group of longtime friends who shared a passion for music came together. We started creating music while being active as idols, wanting to try our hand at making our own songs.

_{Founder: EL CAPITXN}

The VENDORS team includes former idol group members, such as Jang Yijung and Kim Jaeho from HISTORY, Junghee from A-JAX, and Yoonsan, Choi Jun-hyuk from HOTSHOT.

Who is the most recent artist have you worked with? Could you please share with us your experience about working with them?

Our most recent collaboration was with ZEROBASEONE. They have amazing vocal talent, which made the recording process enjoyable, and it finished quite swiftly. This was our first project with them, and they were a truly passionate and talented group.

What is your creative process like when producing a new track?

Every time we create a track, we don’t follow the same process, but it’s most enjoyable when a melody comes to mind first, and we build the track around it. It’s exciting when songs unfold in unexpected ways. Collaborating among our team’s diverse songwriters allows for more creative output.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a music producer and how did you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges is finding inspiration. Like all artists, we experience creative blocks. When inspiration eludes us, we explore entirely different genres to fill the void. Sometimes, while working on one song, ideas for another unexpectedly emerge.

_{VENDORS (Abim)}

Could you please elaborate about your experience working with a session on AGUST D – PEOPLE PT.2 song featuring IU? What was your role in this project?

It was a fantastic experience. We were very happy working with the best singers and the best composers.

_{VENDORS (Arte)}

How was the instrumental session process like working on the song ‘THAT THAT’ with PSY and Suga?

For “THAT THAT,” EL CAPITXN and SUGA took charge of composition and lyrics, while VENDORS handled the synthesizers and guitar sections. Being part of this project was an honor, and it’s a valuable memory.

How do you incorporate different styles into your production for projects with artists like TXT, ENHYPEN, SUNMI, Whee-in, NCT, WANNA ONE, ZB1, tripleS? How do you differentiate the creative process and colors of each project working with so many different artists?

We usually think about the style of the artist while creating a song. We consider what would suit a particular artist and what style would make them look fantastic. Our team isn’t afraid to experiment with various genres, so working with different artists is a delightful experience.

_{VENDORS (CHILLER)}

How do you stay updated with the latest trends and innovations in music production and what inspires and motivates you to constantly produce high-quality music?

Staying updated with music trends involves listening to various music, not just from Korea and the U.S., but also from charts worldwide. Following trends is crucial, but we also strive to stay ahead.

_{VENDORS (Coll!n)}

What kind of challenges do you face producing for a group versus solo artists? Is there any difference in the production process for these?

There are no specific advantages or disadvantages, but generally, group projects require more attention. This is because group members have different voice tones and timbres, necessitating meticulous mixing.

_{VENDORS (San Yoon)}

You’ve released several popular tracks that have gained significant traction on streaming platforms, how do you feel about their success and how was your experience working on this?

We’re always grateful to our listeners. We feel that we should keep improving and delivering even better music. Successful songs don’t necessarily lead to extraordinary experiences, but all our work brings joy.

_{VENDORS (louis)}

You have also worked with artists such as PSY, SUGA, ENHYPEN, TXT, MONSTA X, Ha Sung-woon, Whee-in, ZB1, GOT7, NCT, and many more. What is your most memorable experience with any of these K-Pop artists that you would like to share with us?

In all honesty, it’s quite challenging to choose just one artist because each experience with these incredible talents has been valuable. We believe they have all played a pivotal role in our team’s growth. While this question required much deliberation, we consider every artist to be a cherished experience.

_{VENDORS (NANO) 리더}

What do you enjoy the most about being a music producer and what keeps you passionate about your work?

What we enjoy most is the artistic aspect of creating something new. Starting from a blank canvas and crafting something fresh is always enjoyable. Knowing that more people are listening to our music fuels our passion.

Are there any specific genres or styles of music you’re looking forward to exploring in your future projects?

Rather than focusing on genre specificity, we aim to work with international artists beyond just Korean K-pop artists.

_{VENDORS (NARA)}

Could you please share some insights into your upcoming projects? What can the fans expect?

There are several exciting projects on the horizon, but we apologize as we can’t share details due to their confidential nature.

_{VENDORS (OWL)}

What advice would you give to aspiring music producers looking to break into the K-Pop industry?

While maintaining your unique style and beliefs is important, it’s crucial to prioritize understanding the artist’s preferences and their musical identity. Making music that an artist truly wants is of utmost importance.

The Korean wave is growing rapidly in India, and many fans love listening to K-Pop. Would you like to share a message with our Indian K-Pop fans?

We are always thankful for the support and appreciation from fans. The unity that music brings is a wonderful thing.

On behalf of our entire team at Hallyuism, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude and thanks to Team VENDORS for taking out their valuable time for this interview. Best wishes to the entire team for all their future endeavours and lots of love from India!