Interviewed by: Deena Jasmine, Chikmagalur, Karnataka

Edited by: Jayati Bhardwaj, Delhi

Meet CHILLER (Kim Kang-san), a multi-talented songwriter, composer, and key member of the renowned music production team VENDORS. CHILLER has established himself as a creative powerhouse, with an impressive lineup of works with groups such as ENHYPEN, ZEROBASEONE, NCT, PAUL KIM, NAUGHTYBOI, GIDLE, aespa, IVE, TIOT, KINGDOM, WHIB and many others. On June 9th, 2024, CHILLER reached a new peak in his career by performing at the ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL KOREA alongside the dynamic DJ and producer EL CAPITXN.

In this interview, we’ll explore the behind-the-scenes of CHILLER’s innovative work, which has been significantly helping in shaping the future of K-pop music.

Please briefly introduce our readers and share how your music career started. What inspired you to become a songwriter and composer?

Hello, I’m CHILLER! I am a K-pop composer and songwriter. I made my debut with the song 한강에서 by Paul Kim. I discovered the charms that music holds through my interaction with a close friend, EL CAPITXN. And the rest is history. (haha) Since then, I’ve grown to love music even more.

You have worked with artists such as ENHYPEN, ZEROBASEONE, PAUL KIM, NAUGHTY BOI, DOYOUNG, SOYEON, LIZ, I:MOND, TIOT, KINGDOM and many more. Do you have any memorable experiences with any of these K-pop artists that you would like to share?

I treasure all of my experiences working with different artists. But if I have to name one, I guess the most memorable one was working with Heeseung from ENHYPEN. Heesueng and I are close and have collaborated on multiple projects. I must say he is truly an outstanding songwriter. He has the talent to make a name for himself in the future, and I draw a lot of inspiration from him.

You worked on the song ‘Nobody,’ performed by Soyeon ((G)I-DLE), Winter (aespa), and Liz (IVE)– Could you share the inspiration and creative process behind composing this song? How did you balance the unique styles of these three groups in the music?

Honestly… The process wasn’t difficult at all! (haha)

Soyeon, Winter and Liz are known for their musical talents and texture. They all have such incredible vocal abilities that I knew they could bring any song to life beautifully. The song ended up being a banger because of their synergy. It was truly an honour to work with such amazing artists.

Your work on ZEROBASEONE’s album “YOU HAD ME AT HELLO” is remarkable, especially the tracks ‘Solar Power’ and ‘Sunday Ride.’ Could you share the inspiration and creative process behind these songs and how you approached composing music that resonates deeply with listeners?

Well, we all gathered together for this project on Christmas. We spent about 2-3 days continuously working and hoping that some great ideas would emerge. And in the end, a wonderful song was born—it felt like a gift from Santa. (haha) 

You can call them a Christmas miracle! 

Your work on ENHYPEN’s New album, Romance: Untold, particularly the track ‘Highway 1009,’ has captured a lot of attention. Could you share the inspiration behind the composition and the creative process of bringing this song to life?

This song was actually my first collaborative work with Heeseung. He told me he wanted to create a track dedicated to the fans. While working with him and on this song, I could feel his sincerity. And his intentions were well manifested in the song. The outcome was splendid and a very satisfying project to work on. I believe the listeners would have felt the sincerity, too.

What was the creative process behind composing and writing the lyrics for the tracks’ Baby Shark’ and ‘Moonrise’from Tiot’s album Kick-Start?

Moonrise was just a musing that began with EL CAPITXN‘s idea. We worked on the track in his studio. Looking back at the whole process of making Moonrise for what it is, I only have fond memories of recording vocals and enjoying the creative process.

 Lately, however, I’ve been really enjoying writing lyrics. I frequently collaborate with a songwriting team called Wavecloud. I have always believed that writing lyrics is just as important as creating the melody. With my indulgence in writing, I am able to strengthen my belief even more. The Wavecloud team provides me with amazing ideas and inspiration.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a songwriter and composer, and how did you overcome them?

Well, creating a song is a collaborative effort that involves many people. It starts from the track to the melody and lyrics. There are multiple steps, with many people contributing along the way. The whole process requires a great deal of responsibility. With so many steps and inputs by so many people, if I make a mistake, everyone’s hard work could go to waste. So, it’s a major responsibility regardless of the work you are involved in.

 How did performing at Ultra Music Festival Korea feel, and could you share the emotions and thoughts you experienced during your set? What was the most memorable moment?

It was truly exhilarating. It was a great honour to perform on such a big stage. I specifically enjoyed the stage with my bro, EL CAPITXN. There was a particularly memorable moment during the set. It was when we made eye contact during the performance, and at that moment, we both could feel how much we were genuinely enjoying the stage together. I believe such moments of bliss are one in a million in life, and being able to experience them was genuinely thrilling. 

If you could recommend one of your songs to a new listener, which one would it be and why?

I’d recommend my debut song, 한강에서 by Paul Kim.  It really suits this season: autumn. It’s the perfect track to listen to by Han River on a cool autumn day, seeking relaxation or just calm.

Could you give us a sneak peek into your upcoming projects? What can the fans expect?

It’s a secret! But I’m working on some really exciting projects. I think there will be a lot of amazing things happening next year! Haha! 

I hope you all look forward to them!

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

I had no idea there were so many K-pop fans in India! Thank you so much for all the support. I look forward to connecting with you through more great songs in the future. Thank you!

Once again, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your precious time and sharing insights about your journey. Thank you so much. On behalf of the entire team at Hallyuism, we wish you all the best for your future projects and lots of love from India!

We hope you all loved reading this interview as much as we loved conducting it. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!