A Quick Chat with GroovyRoom

For many, the words “Groovy Everywhere” is an indication that the song about to play is going to be good. That signature phrase comes from producer duo, GroovyRoom! Both born in 1994, HWIMIN and Gyujeong started out at C9 Entertainment and eventually resigned with H1GHR MUSIC. They made their official debut in 2017 with their first EP titled “Everywhere.”

We were excited to have the chance to chat with the duo fresh off their time as producers on the recent season of Show Me The Money!. Check out their advice for young producers, song recommendations, and even the story behind the iconic “Groovy Everywhere” signature sound.

Q. Can you introduce yourself for those who aren’t familiar with you?

Hi everyone, we are a producer duo, GroovyRoom. Made up of HWIMIN and Gyujeong! We most recently were producers alongside JUSTHIS on Show Me The Money 9!

Q. How did you meet?

We first met when we signed with Younha’s agency at the age of 20. We weren’t that close at first, but we became close as we got to know each other. We discovered we worked well together. Before we knew it, GroovyRoom was born.

Q. What is the story behind the tagline “Groovy Everywhere”?

When we first thought that we needed a signature sound, after a long search we were able to find a young foreign child who we paid to make the iconic tagline for us.

(Here’s a short clip of the making)

Q. Where do you draw inspiration from?

There is a wide variety of sources from which we get inspired. However, inspiration generally comes from who we work with because a lot of ideas come to mind when picturing what suits the artist. So when we collaborate with someone we really wanted to work with, we get new ideas that inspire and motivate us.

Q. Was there ever a time when you found it difficult to create a beat or instrumental for an artist? How did you overcome it?

There's no doubt that there are certain artists who are difficult to work with. One time, there was a really stubborn person who had to have it their way, and another who was hard to contact. Generally, we somehow worked around it and successfully brought the collaboration to an end, but it was a difficult process.

Q. What has been your favorite song to produce that was not your own release?

Recently, it’s been the song “Part time” by Mirani that we produced for the Show Me The Money 9 semi-final. Also, there’s an artist called Gemini who we have been obsessed with recently. We participated in the creation of his songs “Going” and “Broken Love.”

Q. Is your creative process different when producing for yourself versus producing for someone else?

Both of us feel immense pressure when it comes to making a good song, but we tend to be more attached when producing GroovyRoom songs. Pouring in too much affection into the creation of our songs, however, prompts more thoughts and the more thoughts we have, the more indecisive we get. As a result, there are many instances when we exhaust ourselves with prolonged production.

**Q. Did you like being a producer on Show Me the Money or High School Rapper more? Why?**

It’s hard to choose between the two shows. We think High School Rapper was a more relaxing show because all the participants’ age range is generally lower than Show Me The Money. It’s more like we have to take care of these young artists with a parent’s mind. On the other hand, Show Me The Money is a more friend-like vibe. Each show has its own charms.

Q. What advice do you have for aspiring producers?

Start with anything. Don’t try to be so perfect from the start. Try to be casual and be excited about challenges. Try not to approach it [producing] as a job.

Q. When going to a coffee shop, what is your go-to order?

Iced Americano! We both work at a studio until really late so we are almost always drinking Iced Americanos while we work. We usually drink at minimum one cup of coffee a day.

Q. Is there a Korean artist that you have been wanting to work with that you haven’t worked with before?

Honestly, we have collaborated with so many Korean artists, including famous ones and not famous ones. So we would be interested in working with someone fresh to the music scene that we were not aware of and that shares the same passion.