K-Interview: VENDORS (Music Production Studio)

Interviewer: Deena Jasmine (Chikkmagaluru, Karnataka, India)

Editor: Prachi Vaid (Delhi, India)

In the world of K-pop production, some names stay behind the scenes but quietly shape the sound of an entire era. VENDORS  is one of those creative forces. Built as a collaborative studio led by EL CAPITXN, the team has become known for its distinctive approach to music-making, bringing together producers and creators who share a passion for storytelling through sound.

Over the years, VENDORS has contributed to a wide range of projects across the K-pop landscape, working with artists such as BTS, PSY, TXT, ENHYPEN, Sunmi, ZEROBASEONE, NCT U, and many more. From powerful tracks like “That That” and “Daechwita” to emotionally layered productions and experimental sounds,  their work reflects both versatility and a strong creative identity that continues to evolve with every release.

As the studio enters a new chapter in 2026,  we sit down with VENDORS to explore their journey, creative process, evolving team, and the vision shaping their future in music.

As VENDORS continues to grow in 2026, how would you introduce the studio to readers who are discovering you for the first time?

VENDORS is not simply a team of producers who make songs. We are a creative studio that designs an artist’s sound, emotion, image, and even the moments that will remain within their career. There are countless great songs in K-pop, but not all of them remain as memories of an era. That is exactly the point VENDORS focuses on— whether a song is simply good for now, or if it can remain as a defining moment that continues to represent the artist over time.

We’ve been fortunate to be part of many major projects, quietly existing within important moments in K-pop. Moving forward, we no longer intend to stay hidden behind the scenes. In 2026, VENDORS operates on a larger structure. While rooted in K-pop, we are expanding beyond specific markets or genres, connecting global music, artist branding, performance, and storytelling. We are not a team that follows trends, but a team that wants to create emotions that remain even after the trends pass.

What was the original idea behind creating VENDORS, and what kind of environment did you hope to build through the studio?

When I first created VENDORS, the idea was simple. There are many individuals who are good on their own, but not many teams that can win over the long term. Producing often appears to be an individual talent, but in reality, great results are created through the collision and refinement of multiple instincts. Someone writes strong melodies, someone designs sound well, someone reads emotion precisely, and someone sees an artist’s potential first. When such people move in one direction, the scale of the result becomes completely different.

What I wanted to build was not just a workspace. VENDORS was meant to be a system where producers turn their instincts into strengths, grow within larger projects, and become creators capable of competing in the global market. We never intended to stay small. We wanted the music we create to go beyond being just “good songs,” to change someone’s career, build the team’s name, and ultimately make the name VENDORS itself a standard. That direction hasn’t changed. If anything, it has become even clearer.

Entering this new chapter, could you introduce the current team and share what each member brings to the studio’s creative dynamic?

Currently, VENDORS is made up of producers, composers, topliners, engineers, and members who also contribute to creative direction. Each member brings a different strength. Some are highly skilled at melody and emotional lines, while others excel at energy and sound design in tracks. Some understand the K-pop structure precisely, while others bring a more global pop sensibility or experimental approach. I believe that difference is the strength of VENDORS.

A team where everyone produces the same color cannot stay fresh for long. VENDORS is a team where different instincts collide, and those collisions are compressed into a single result. Within the team, I take on the role of defining the overall direction and standard. I don’t just evaluate whether a song is good or not, but whether it is necessary, which artist it fits, and what kind of scenes it can create. To put it bluntly, there are many people who can make good songs. But there are very few who can place a good song exactly where it is needed. That is exactly what VENDORS aims to do.

VENDORS continues to make a strong impression through its sound. What do you think defines the studio’s emotional and musical signature today?

The signature of VENDORS is music with clear emotion. We have worked across a wide range of genres. Powerful performance tracks, emotional songs, and experimental sounds. But there is one common point: the emotional core must not be vague. Anyone can create trendy sounds. What matters is what remains after the sound ends.

We focus on what emotion stays after listening. If it is sadness, it must be precise. If it is energy, it must be clear. If it is darkness, it must be convincing. Musically, strong melodies, clear structure, detailed sound design, and direction that highlights the artist’s character are key standards. Ultimately, the signature of VENDORS is designing emotion through sound. There are many songs that are pleasant to listen to. But there are not many that remain long in memory with an artist’s name. That is what we want to create.

Through the studio’s recent journey, what have these experiences taught you about growth, adaptability, and staying true to your artistic direction?

The biggest lesson we’ve learned is that you cannot survive without change, but you cannot last without a core. The music industry changes rapidly. Sounds change, platforms change, and the way people consume music continues to evolve. VENDORS must adapt. Studying new genres, understanding new artists, and following global trends.

However, a team that only reacts to change will eventually lose its identity. That’s why we try to distinguish between what must change and what must remain. Sound and methods can evolve, but our standards for good music, our approach to deeply understanding artists, and our focus on emotion and storytelling must remain.

Growth is not simply about making more songs. It is about gaining the ability to judge more precisely, design on a larger scale, and create results that last longer. This journey has been the process of VENDORS— evolving from a team that is simply good, into a team that can endure. And now, beyond surviving, we are building a structure to win on a larger scale.

Could you share a bit about VENDORS’ creative process and how ideas are developed within the team from the initial concept to the final production?

The VENDORS process usually begins with understanding the artist and the project. We don’t approach it simply by deciding on a genre. We first look at where the artist is at the moment, what image needs to be shown, what emotions fans are expecting, and what role this track should play within the album or the artist’s career. Then we share various ideas within the team. Sometimes we start from melody, sometimes from texture or rhythm, and sometimes from a single sentence or emotion.

Once an initial idea is formed, each member adds their strength. Some develop chords and melodies, some shape the direction of the sound, and others think about how the vocals should be expressed. But in the end, everything is organized under one clear standard.

Even if there are many good ideas, if the core emotion becomes unclear, we remove them without hesitation. On the other hand, even a small idea will be kept if it strengthens the core of the track. The creative process at VENDORS is not about gathering many ideas, but about finding the one strongest direction among them. In the end, what matters is not adding more, but leaving precisely what needs to remain.

Looking ahead, are there any new creative goals or directions that you are especially excited to explore?

Moving forward, we want to go beyond just making good music and create work where music connects with the artist’s world, performance, visuals, and fan experience. K-pop is no longer a market driven by music alone. When songs, stages, visuals, concepts, and fan interpretation are all connected, the impact becomes much greater. VENDORS aims to become a team that deeply considers what role music should play within that entire structure.

We also want to expand collaborations with global artists. We’re interested in blending the system and precision of K-pop with the freedom and scale of global pop, along with the emotions and rhythms of different cultures. In terms of genre, we want to explore more bold hybrid sounds. Not just mixing elements like pop, rock, hip-hop, orchestration, electronic, and R&B, but developing them into a unified character and narrative. To be honest, VENDORS has no intention of ending as just a team that makes a lot of good songs. We want to create new scenes. And make sure the name VENDORS naturally remains within them.

What kind of artist or creative collaborations would you love for VENDORS to explore in the future?

We prefer working with artists who have a clear sense of their own story. It’s great to work with artists who already have a defined image, but it’s also very exciting to build new directions with artists whose full potential hasn’t yet been revealed. We especially connect well with artists who have a strong emotional presence in their voice, who can create their own world on stage, and who are not afraid of new attempts. Simple song exchange collaborations now feel somewhat ordinary.

We want to collaborate from the earliest concept stage, working together to design the artist’s direction, album flow, performance, and sound identity. We also don’t want to limit ourselves by country or genre. We see possibilities not only with K-pop artists, but also with global pop artists, bands, DJs, film directors, fashion brands, and even IPs like games or animation. The strength of VENDORS lies in connecting different worlds through music. Moving forward, those who work with us won’t just receive a song. They will experience an expansion of their own world.

When you think about the future, what kind of impact or legacy do you hope VENDORS will leave through its music?

Rather than being remembered simply as a team that made many hit songs, we hope VENDORS will be remembered as a team that shaped the sound and emotion of an era. Hit songs are important. But more important is whether, over time, someone can hear that music and recall a specific moment and emotion. If the music we create becomes a turning point for artists, a lasting memory for fans, and a new standard or possibility for younger producers, that would be the greatest legacy.

We also want to show that Korean producers and creators can move more globally through VENDORS. K-pop is already a global genre, but the systems and philosophies of the people behind the music deserve more recognition. I want VENDORS to become not just a name, but a standard. If people can hear a song and immediately recognize it as something made by VENDORS, and trust that name. That is the legacy we want to leave.

For fans and listeners who have followed VENDORS through its journey so far, what message would you like to share about where the studio is headed next?

We sincerely thank everyone who has listened to VENDORS’ music and remembered our name. VENDORS is not yet a complete team. We are constantly evolving, growing, and expanding into a wider world. But our direction is clear. We will continue to present the VENDORS identity through more diverse artists, larger projects, and new sounds. We want to create new emotions even within familiar K-pop, and establish VENDORS as a name that represents trust in the global music market.

Our goal is not simply to create more songs. We aim to create music that lasts longer, stronger moments, deeper emotions, and a larger world. Moving forward, VENDORS will become clearer, bolder, and more global than ever before. It may sound a bit bold, but we do not see VENDORS remaining as just another production team within K-pop. We are preparing to become something bigger. We hope you continue to watch our journey.

Once again, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your precious time and for 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!