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.

RPHABET

Years active: 2011-present

Associated Acts: Infinite, Tasty, A-Jax, Toxic

Their sound: Densely packed mix of heavy dance beats, orchestral theatrics and sliced vocal samples. Favors dramatic tempo shifts and unusual song structure.

Why you should love them: Most notable for their work with Infinite, starting with 2013’s Destiny, Rphabet have a small (but very interesting) production discography. Their output isn’t perfect, but it’s unique to them and doesn’t sound like anything else in k-pop. Their use of ornate symphonics in place of traditional production tropes gives their music a dramatic heft. It’s larger-than-life stuff, and loaded with little surprises and flourishes that give their material real staying power. Their songs often tend to get better with age, which is not always the case when it comes to pop music!

Examples of their best work: