Karma Artists plans UK writing camp for K-pop collaborations
Karma Artists is working with UK trade bodies and government agencies to establish an annual writing camp that would bring South Korean artists, songwriters and producers to Britain for collaborations with its roster of writers and producers.
The London-based management and publishing company, founded in 2012 by former Universal Music Group executive Jordan Jay, aims to set up creative exchanges between British and Korean music artists and writers through the planned writing camps.
The move builds on Karma Artists’ recent expansion into South Korea’s music industry. The company’s roster of songwriters and producers — including Red Triangle, Cutfather, PhD, James Reynolds, Benji, Jez Ashurst and Jimbo Barry — has worked with K-pop acts including BTS, Twice, Aespa, EXO, NCT, Riize and Shinee.
Karma Artists operates talent management, music publishing and consultancy divisions. Jay said the company has made several trips to Asia over the past three years to build relationships with artists and producers in the region.
The company’s writers have contributed to tracks by Fifty Fifty, WayV, Nayeon, Taeyeon, Taemin, Seventeen, Key and LE SSERAFIM. The company said some projects have crossed over to US charts, although it did not specify which tracks or positions.
“Through our planned writing camps and cultural exchanges, which will take place with the support of UK trade bodies and government trade agencies, we will continue to forge strong links with this exciting and dynamic market.”
Jordan Jay, Karma Artists
Jordan Jay, founder and CEO of Karma Artists, said: “The explosion of K-pop is unprecedented, and while the UK has struggled to break new pop artists, our focus has been on building relationships in Asia, with several trips there in the past three years or so.”
“This has given our writers and producers an extraordinary opportunity to capitalize on a thriving market. Through our planned writing camps and cultural exchanges, which will take place with the support of UK trade bodies and government trade agencies, we will continue to forge strong links with this exciting and dynamic market.”
Beyond South Korea, Karma Artists has also participated in writing sessions across Asia. Its songwriters have attended camps in Seoul, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand and Hong Kong, working with artists including Moon Tang, A20, SB19, Lola Amour, Olivia Marsh, U-Know, Youngha and Lee Young Ji.
The company also joined a recent British Phonographic Industry trade mission to China as part of efforts to develop commercial and creative relationships in that market.
Jay added: “Asia’s music scene is evolving and expanding rapidly, and our team is at the forefront of that change. We are excited for the future and are committed to expanding our work with their brightest stars.”
Warner Chappell Music UK also hosted similar exchanges with South Korean creatives in recent years. In 2019, the company partnered with Seoul-based K-Pop powerhouse JYP Publishing to host a songwriting camp in the Korean capital.
JYP Publishing is a music publisher under the JYP Entertainment banner, which was founded by artist and producer JY Park (aka Park Jin-young) in 2008.
These efforts come amid the strong consumption of K-pop content globally. Netflix‘s animated film KPop Demon Hunters became the platform’s most popular movie ever, with more than 325.1 million views. The film’s producers recently partnered with Epic Games to bring characters and gameplay elements from the movie into Fortnite starting October 2.
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