Former idols step up as producers, reshaping K-pop’s next generation

As more former idols step into executive and production roles, a growing number of rookie K-pop groups are debuting under the guidance of artists who once stood on the same stage. From Jay Park’s Lngshot to Zico’s BoyNextDoor and Kim Jae-joong’s Say My Name, idols-turned-producers are emerging as a new force in reshaping how the next generation of K-pop is trained, promoted and positioned. “We’re built on trust. I don’t want a relationship where I say, ‘I’m your CEO, so you have to do as I say,’