Based in Seoul, Waveshower is the professional alias of Max Youngmin Yoon – a versatile and Korean music producer whose name is shaping the sound of contemporary K-pop and TV soundtracks. He started his musical journey because of his love for music. I interviewed Waveshower to spotlight a breed of music creators who thrive at the intersection of broadcast media and grassroots artistry. In showcasing his creative process, influences and ambitions, this article aims to shed light on the evolving architecture of music production and the individuals shaping Korea's next chapter in global sound. Waveshower continues to build a reputation as an influential force in Seoul’s dynamic studio world.
The following are excerpts from an email interview with him from June 6-7.
Can you share your journey into music production and what inspired you to pursue this path?
I've always loved listening to music since I was a kid, and I've always wanted to produce music myself, but I couldn't act on it. I really wanted to feel the feeling that the music I worked hard to produce in my room could bring joy to many people. Then, when I became a university student, I joined a music club and started to learn production in earnest, which was really exciting. Since then, I've naturally met many of my predecessors in the music industry, and I've come to where I am today. Somehow, I didn't finish my university major, which was mechanical engineering.
How do you approach collaboration with artists and other creative in the industry?
In the past, I could only collaborate with people I knew personally or through introductions, because social media wasn't as developed as it is nowadays. But nowadays, I can directly contact people I want to collaborate with through social media (Facebook messages, Instagram DMs). I also tend to contact artists or collaborators I've been watching directly to see if I want to make something together, and most of my songs are made that way.
What do you consider your signature style or philosophy as a producer?
I tend to look for good chord progressions or instruments that give me special emotions and start producing from there. Because I believe that the great power of music comes from the smallest things. And I especially enjoy music that makes people's hearts beat faster or makes them feel happier, because I get excited when I make music like that, and it's very motivating to think about the people who listen to it.
Are there any recent projects or upcoming works you’re particularly excited about?
Currently, I have some K-pop idols' songs that will be released soon, as well as some Japanese groups. I can't name them, but there are various genres, from dance to rock to R&B. The songs I usually produce also have various genres. I think I like almost all genres.
How do you see the Korean music industry evolving in the next few years, especially in terms of production?
K-pop is still evolving now, as it always has, and K-pop producers are trying to find a direction that is both experimental and popular, as if trying to fuse all the music genres in the world. Especially since K-pop is moving beyond Korea to the global market,
I think it is changing more and more towards producing music with a strong American flavor. We can't miss the biggest music market in the world, the United States, which BTS opened up for us.
What advice would you give to aspiring music producers trying to break into the industry?
First of all, I would like to give a big cheer to the aspirants who love music and are still working hard to make music. It is a great happiness to be able to have what you love as a career. I would say to have a lot of experiences. Listen to a lot of different music, travel, watch movies and TV shows, and keep a lot of inspirations in your head, because they all mix and match and help you create your own music. And if you keep going and keep making as many songs as you can, one day you'll start to create your own thing, and that thing will have enough power to convince anyone you meet. Thanks!
In the ever-evolving world of modern music production Max Youngmin Yoon embodies both artistic integrity and technical excellence. As Waveshower continues shaping dynamic soundscapes and collaborating across genres, one thing remains clear: his work is a testament to Korea’s growing influence on global music, and a promising herald of what’s yet to come.
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