If there’s anything I’ve learned from covering pop music for over a decade, it’s that songwriters and collaborators are just as important as the artists themselves. Though they often work behind the scenes, this feature is a chance to shine the light on some of k-pop’s most innovative and accomplished producers and composers.

BLACK EYED PILSEUNG

Years active: 2014-present

Associated Acts: Twice, Sistar, GOT7, Teen Top, miss A

Their sound: Addictive, idiosyncratic beats and unpredictable song structure. With a basis in R&B, their melodies are tempered with big pop hooks and standout middle eights.

Why you should love them: Though they’re fairly new to the k-pop scene, producer duo Black Eyed Pilseung have a near flawless track record. Their sound is somewhat diverse, though it’s highlighted by an incredible hookiness — often piling multiple refrains into one song. Their work with girl groups tends toward the quirky side, establishing the core sound of rookies Twice and reinventing Sistar’s summer output. Their work with boy groups has been a smoother style of pop, giving GOT7 and Teen Top some of the best singles of their careers.

Examples of their best work: