South Korean singer and producer Kim Jong Myoung, widely known as COME and operating as Zomay in his production work, has steadily built a significant place in the K-pop industry. With his ability to adapt to the diverse artistic visions of major artists, he has collaborated with some of the biggest names, contributing to great songs across multiple albums. His credits include work with Monsta X on The Clan Pt.2.5 (Beautiful), VICTON on From. VICTON, ASTRO on both Rise Up and ONE&ONLY, Teen Top on Seoul Night and Dear N9ne, and MCND on Into The Ice Age. Known for his interesting approach and respect for the individual sound of each artist he collaborates with, COME has built a reputation for bringing something fresh to every project, connecting genres and styles with ease.

As a solo artist, COME transfers his extensive experience as a producer into his own music, creating songs that convey universal themes of love, contemplation, and emotion. His impressive debut mini-album, LOSE, along with other solo projects, has brought his sublime artistic vision to life, both musically and lyrically. His latest single, Only You, represents a message of love, and with its down-to-earth lyrics, COME shows the beauty of authentic affection.

Not long ago, View of the Arts had the chance to speak to COME. During the interview, the artist shared the creative influences that shape his music, his approach to songwriting, and how he finds inspiration in everything from ordinary moments to interactions with industry legends. 

View of the Arts: There are countless artists out there who have their own stories to tell about why they were drawn to the profession of singer and producer. What initially attracted you to music and becoming an artist?

COME: Many artists have stories about what led them to become singers and producers. For me, it was largely due to the influence of my parents, who were both into music. I have memories of hearing my mom and dad harmonising together, and that left a lasting impression. Music felt familiar to me early on, and as I grew up, I naturally started singing and playing the piano, eventually moving into songwriting.

VOA: Before discussing your latest release, Only You, I would like to know: what kind of approach do you use to write your lyrics?

COME: While I enjoy incorporating personal experiences into my lyrics, as a producer, I also have to write a lot of songs, so I look for inspiration everywhere: from the environment, objects, seasons, or different phenomena. Once a core theme comes to mind, I create a story that flows like a film or a book of poetry, drawing from love, youth, comfort, fantasy, or other emotions. I don’t always know where the story will lead until it’s complete.

VOA: You’ve just released your new single, and I’m curious about how the melody first came to you. Did the lyrics unfold along with it in your mind, or was it the other way around, where the words inspired the melody?

COME: I think it started with a theme, which led to the idea of love. As I thought about what love means, I tried to create a loving melody and voice to match the subject. Then, I wrote the lyrics to fit the vibe.

VOA: For those who don’t speak Korean, could you share more about the meaning behind the lyrics? What was going through your mind as you were writing them?

COME: The lyrics carry a simple yet powerful message of love. Love may vary with age, but it ultimately centres on, “I don’t need anything else but you,” and “You make everything perfect.” The title Only You emerged from this thought, and I developed a narrative based on it. The lyrics tell the story of a man who, after days of contemplation, reaches out to the woman he loves, eventually experiencing overwhelming completeness in her presence.

VOA: Reflecting on your current release and past works, I’m curious about the role improvisation plays in your creative process. How much of your music is improvised, and how do you balance that with a more structured composition? Do you tend to keep the two separate, or do they often blend?

COME: I aim to blend both approaches as much as possible. My work pace varies widely; sometimes it takes a whole day to create four bars, while other times I finish an entire song in just 40 minutes. I look for detail in improvisation and spontaneity in structure. For example, I might obsess over a particular tone or skill derived from an improvised melody and spend hours on a single word. On the other hand, I sometimes sing a structured melody roughly or discard parts of it. I keep various options open and blend these directions.

VOA: As a songwriter, you’re always in the creative flow, making new songs. However, not every piece makes it to the recording studio or into the world. What criteria do you use to determine which songs deserve that spotlight? Reflecting on your previous release, LOSE, what was your process for selecting the tracks that made it onto that EP?

COME: Through my long experience as a K-pop producer collaborating with multiple artists, I’ve come to understand that there are many similar-sounding works out there, though I respect why that’s the case. But I want my work to express its own unique colours. I’d rather create a song that one person listens to 100 times than one that 100 people listen to only once. For the LOSE EP, we discussed each track’s distinct colour and selected the ones that fit. The title track, LOSE, represents the colour red.

VOA: How would you describe your development as an artist in terms of interests and challenges, searching for a personal voice?

COME: My main goal is to share my work as an artist, not just as a producer, which is my current challenge. I want my artistic voice to remain fluid, not limited to one style or voice, but rather to adapt to the mood of each song and convey its essence through diverse styles.

VOA: As a producer, you’ve collaborated with a few K-pop idols and artists. Can you share your approach to understanding their styles and creating music that resonates with their identities? What do you prioritise when making a song for an artist?

COME: K-pop artists may appear similar but are, in fact, very diverse. I think about what goals they’re striving for and what genres resonate with them, while studying their voice, message, and worldview to blend them into the work. While I begin with their desires in mind, my primary focus is that they enjoy working with my creation, which often brings out their best engagement with the song.

VOA: When producing music for yourself, how does your creative process differ from when you’re working with other artists? Do you find that your experiences as a producer influence the songs you create for your own projects?

COME: The creative process remains similar, but the key difference is the focus. For other artists, they’re the central figures, and their happiness is my priority. For my own projects, my focus shifts to how my collaborators and listeners react to the work. My experiences as a producer have had a huge influence, as I continually grow from my interactions with other producers, artists, and entertainment companies.

VOA: Where do you draw your inspiration from? And who would you say are your musical influences?

COME: I find inspiration in everything around me – daily experiences, a cup of coffee, or random conversations. Musicians like Michael Jackson, Pharrell Williams, Ed Sheeran, and Korea’s Park Jin-young have deeply influenced me, both as an artist and a producer.

VOA: Apart from releasing your new single, what can we expect from you in 2024 or 2025?

COME: I’d like to release a range of works that reflect my unique colour as an artist, exploring different genres. Please look forward to it, and thank you!

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

Featured image courtesy of th ENTERTAINMENT

_{View of the Arts is an online publication that chiefly deals with films, music, and art, with an emphasis on the Asian entertainment industry. We hope our audience will grow with us as we explore new platforms such as K-pop / K-music, and Asian music in general, and continue to dive into the talented and ever-growing scene of film, music, and arts, worldwide.}