Numerous people are gathered to complete one song. From singers to producers, engineers, designers, and lyricists who add stories to the songs. Lyricist Ms. Cho Yoon-kyung(Department of Korean Language & Literature 03) worked on various artist songs that are familiar to us.

Starting as a fan of idol singers Shinhwa to becoming the ‘lyricist of the year’

Ms. Cho was a fan of idol singers Shinhwa when she was in high school. She bought albums and applied to the job of a lyricist when reading the ‘audition application guide’ inside the album. She did not have too many expectations as she did not know specifically about the job and as it was her first try. Fortunately, Ms. Cho was given the change. She said, “I applied for the lyricist position and started working after the company gave me a call.

There is a word called ‘SM-enthusiast’, which refers to the fans who like the artists of SM Entertainment. Ms. Cho introduced herself as an ‘SM-enthusiast’. She mentioned that “The reason for becoming a lyricist is not something too grand” and that “It is because I like SM Entertainment singers.” Ms. Cho made her debut through singer BoA’s ‘Listen to My Heart’ and added lots of stories to idol singers’ songs.

The process of selecting a lyric takes a long time. Ms. Cho explained, "The work is progressed by receiving guide recordings from the singer's company, listening to them, and writing lyrics." The company selects the most suitable draft among the multiple drafts(lyrics) received from various lyricists. Most of the lyricists work as freelancers. Ms. Cho, who works as a freelancer, also suffered a slump in this regard. She said, "I've been working as a lyricist for a long time, but I'm still working on it through the company's request as I did when I first started" adding, "Sometimes I go through a slump, but I'm excited when I hear the news that the lyrics I sent have been approved."

Ms. Cho takes notes on things that could be a good subject in her daily life. However, it is rarely applicable to lyrics. No matter how good the material is, it cannot be applied if it does not suit the song received at that time. She selected ASTRO's "All Night” as a song that involved lyrics of stories in everyday life. Ms. Cho explained, "It contains realistic contents of lovers talking about their daily lives on the phone comfortably before sleeping at their respective homes."

A lyricist, sitcom and web drama writer, and a book publisher

In addition to writing lyrics, Ms. Cho also published a book "Into Your World" while working as a writer for sitcoms and web dramas. Ms. Cho, who is writing in diverse fields, spoke of an internship during her undergraduate years. "During my internship, one of the drama writers told me that I would do well if I became a broadcast writer," she said. "I quit being an intern and got a job as the youngest writer of an MBC sitcom." As the reason why things went well for her, she replied, "I'm lucky, but I really work hard on what I'm given" adding, "As I know that I'm not talented or smart, I'm trying to make up for it by sitting at my desk for a long time."

Regarding the career as a lyricist, Ms. Cho said, "It may seem to be painted with inspiration and sensibility on the outside, but to take it a job, sincerity and endurance are needed rather than sensibility." This is because sensibilities are not material and can be rather poisonous to hold on to for a long time. To students wishing to become lyricists, Ms. Cho advised, "I really want you to remind me that emotion is only an energy source, and that the engine body is willingness and sincerity," adding, "If you hang in there, you will have a chance even if it's late, and your efforts remain within you. If you really tried, please believe in that effort."

Ms. Cho said, "I want to do this for as long as possible." Every year, she is concerned by her worries. This is because the history of the current K-POP lyricist system is shorter than expected. Ms. Cho said, "Since it's a work of putting lyrics on songs sung by idols in their teens and 20s, I thought I would lose my touch and wouldn’t be able to work when I'm over 30" adding, "But my 30s came very quickly, and I'm still working." Ms. Cho expressed her ambition to set a ‘good precedent.’

"I want to work for a long time and set a good precedent. That way, even new writers who have just started to work will believe that ‘Oh, it's a work that I can do for a long time’ and work hard."