Hello and welcome back to HallyuTones – always focused on Sound, Stage and Substance.
One of the most exciting privileges with running a music website is being able to showcase new artists and support them on their journey. Allowing artists to define their style, set their music goals and promote their debut is always so fulfilling and inspiring.
Today we are thrilled to introduce you to the incredible Iggie (Yixin Zhang), who will be talking about her music, her experiences as a musician, songwriter and producer, and her debut single, ‘Buzzin‘!
Excitingly, ‘Buzzin‘ also features Denise Kim, an artist who we have already interviewed on the site. Music is a heavily collaborative process built on experience, friendship and teamwork. Therefore, we also asked Denise to share her own thoughts about the release and collaborative process too!
Keep reading to discover your next favourite artist, and get an insight into the many elements that come together to make a song!
Iggie:
Q1. Please introduce yourself and your music!
I’m Iggie, or Yixin Zhang, a producer, singer-songwriter, and artist originally from China. I recently graduated from Berklee College of Music, and am preparing for my next chapter in Los Angeles. I create for both myself and other artists, and my work spans across pop, R&B, hip hop, electronic, and K-pop, influenced by my Chinese background. My music is about combining energy and emotion together.
Q2. If you had to define your style of music or music production, what would your signature style be?
I’d describe my signature style as shiny yet heartfelt. I love building strong grooves and electronic textures with detailed sound design, but I always pair it with vulnerability and honest storytelling. The result is music that feels polished and modern but still deeply personal, songs that make you want to move your body while also speaking to your emotions.
Q3. You are about to make your official debut with your song, ‘Buzzin’ (feat. Denise Kim). Could you tell us more about the song?
I chose Buzzin as my debut because I feel it represents my musical style. It’s a pop track influenced by electronic and R&B, with bold energy that reflects my confidence and excitement for the future. The lyrics are unapologetic and bold, about shutting out the noise of other people’s opinions and owning your voice. I wanted listeners, especially those who feel weighed down by outside judgment, to find strength and resonate with the song.
Buzzin also has a special meaning for me because it was the first song I made during my final semester at Berklee. It marks a personal milestone and fresh beginning for my career as an artist. Having my close friend Denise Kim feature on the track made me more confident about putting it out into the world. I also want to thank my friend Ammon Jiang for co-writing the lyrics and melody. In many ways, this song is the closing chapter of my college journey and the beginning of my path as a producer-artist.
Q4. When did you first know you wanted to pursue music as a career?
Music has been part of my life since childhood. I started classical piano when I was six, but the real turning point came in high school. I began experimenting with making beats for some of my friends who rapped. At the same time, I started writing my own songs, and that was my first real taste of being both a songwriter and a producer. It felt so different from just performing. It was about creating something original that reflected who I was.
My curiosity grew into a passion, and Berklee gave me the chance to sharpen those skills and collaborate with other artists. It was my college journey that make me realize music wasn’t just something I loved; it was the career I wanted to dedicate my life to.
Q5. What do you enjoy the most when working on and creating music?
It really depends on the role I’m in. As a producer, I enjoy starting with sound design and slowly building an instrumental until it feels like a finished track. As a songwriter, my favorite moments are being in writing sessions with friends. We hear each other’s voices, share our stories, and inspire one another to create something beautiful. And as an artist, I love recording vocals late at night, getting lost in vocal production and mixing until the song feels alive.
I never really get tired of the process. Instead, it makes me feel alive. Hearing my own voice shape sounds and stories into something beautiful reminds me why I’m here: to bring music into the world that conveys both energy and meaning.
Q6. You recently graduated from Berklee College of Music, studying Contemporary Writing & Production and Electronic Production & Design. Could you tell us more about what this course entailed and any advice you’d have for aspiring writers and producers?
Having a dual major in Contemporary Writing & Production (CWP) and Electronic Production & Design (EPD) really shaped me in different ways. In CWP, I became more well-rounded, learning, learning how to arrange, compose, and think about music from a big-picture perspective. In EPD, I was able to dive deep into production and refine my technical skills, from sound design to mixing and advanced mixing and production techniques.
Beyond the classes, what mattered most to me were the people. Berklee gave me the chance to meet friends and collaborators who share the same passion. Creating music with them has been one of the most beautiful parts of my journey, and those experiences will stay with me forever.
For aspiring writers and producers, my advice is to stay curious, collaborate often, and never underestimate the value of community. Technical skills are important, but the real magic happens when you connect with people who inspire you and push you to grow.
Q7. You have many of your demos featured on your website – what is your typical song production and writing process?
My songwriting process is actually quite spontaneous and often inspired by things that happen in everyday life. Meeting interesting people, experiencing a moment that stays with me, or just passing emotions. A lot of times, I’ll write late at night almost like I’m journaling, using songs as a way to capture and process my feelings. I’ve always believed that the most genuine experiences resonate the deepest with people.
From there, I’ll start building my music around that feeling. Sometimes it begins with sound design or a beat that reflects the mood. Other times it’s a melody or lyric that inspires me. Once I have the core idea down, I’ll layer production, refine the vocals, and keep polishing until even a demo feels like its own world.
Q8. You recently co-wrote a song for OMEGA X called ‘SUIT & TIE’, could you talk about the writing process behind your first ever Kpop cut?
SUIT & TIE always brings me back to hectic but exciting days. I wrote the song with my close friends Denise Kim and Luca Alexandru. We call ourselves the “dream team” because we write together a lot and the chemistry is always there. One day, Denise mentioned there was an opportunity to pitch a track, so we decided to give it a try without too many expectation. To our surprise, OX:N’s company and members loved it.
Everything happened during finals week, so they basically lived in my apartment doing multiple late-night sessions, bouncing ideas back and forth and polishing the track. It was definitely a crazy time, but also one of the most fun and rewarding experiences. We genuinely loved the song we were making, so process felt natural, almost effortless, because of how well we clicked as a team.
Hearing OX:N perform it was surreal because they brought their own color and attitude to the song, which made it even more special. I also had the chance to mix the final version, and I honestly just feel incredibly lucky and happy that my first K-pop cut came together in such an organic and collaborative way.
Q9. Your new single is not your first work with Denise Kim either – you finished the mixing and mastering for her recent single ‘dance with me!’. Could you tell us some more about your experiences working with Denise for this song?
I was really excited to work on dance with me! because it was another song by our “dream team.” Since I already knew the song inside and out from the writing and production process, stepping in for the mixing and mastering felt very natural. Luca and Denise are such experienced songwriters and producers, and I feel luck to have helped bring the track across the finish line.
Mixing Denise’s vocals is honestly one of my favorite things to do. Her voice doesn’t need much processing to sound incredible, which makes the experience even more enjoyable. Because the production and songwriting were already so strong, my role was more about polishing the details and making sure everything felt cohesive and powerful.
Denise is a true professional who sets a high bar with both her voice and music. We spent late nights tweaking the track making final adjustments, and of course chatting and laughing in between. Those sessions are some of my happiest memories with equal parts hard work and friendship.
Q10. Which artists or producers are you most inspired by and why?
Lately I’ve been really inspired by FLO. Their music has such a strong R&B foundation, but feels fresh and modern, with harmonies and grooves that are so polished yet emotional. I love how they bring back the essence of 2000’s R&B girl groups but reimagined for today’s sound that balance nostalgia with innovation which really speaks to me as a producer.
Besides FLO, I also draw inspiration from artists and producers who combine strong storytelling with bold production such as Victoria Monét, Tinashe, and Kaytranada. I admire how they experiment with textures and rhythms but always keep the emotional core of the music intact. For me, it’s that mix of energy, honesty, and sonic detail that I’m constantly striving for in my own work.
Q11. What are your goals for the future as an artist, writer, and producer?
My main goal is simple: I want more people to hear my music. I hope to perform my songs live, connect with listeners face-to-face, and create moments that only music can bring. As a producer and writer, I want to collaborate with artists I admire and create songs that can reach people around the world.
To be honest, I hope my music takes off because this is the one thing I want to dedicate my life to. Making music is what gives my life value and meaning. Every song I put out is a step toward building a career that reflects who I am and what I believe in.
Q12. Lastly, do you have a message for your fans or any new listeners?
Right now, I’m in the middle of a big transition — moving from being a student into my career as an artist and producer. For anyone in this stage, I know it can feel confusing and uncertain at times. What I want to say is: hold on to what you believe in and keep going. If you stay true to yourself, what you want to do will eventually find its way to success.
I’m really excited to share my second single, IKYKI (feat. Mila) which will release in November, along with a brand-new music video I recently shot in Miami. I hope you’ll look forward to it, but most importantly, I wish everyone who is listening the best on their own journey too.
Denise:
Q1. You had the opportunity to collaborate with Iggie for her debut single, ‘Buzzin’’ – could you tell us a little about how you ended up featuring on this song and how you both know each other?
Iggie and I met in February of this year at a songwriting club in our university. We were put into a group to collaborate and the rest is history. After our first collaboration, we continued to make music together. We got along so well in regards to both friendship and work, I began onboarding her for other projects like “Suit & Tie” by OX:N which released this past summer. Iggie mentioned she wanted to start her own artist project, which is how “Buzzin” came about. She’s definitely one of the people I feel closest to at Berklee and although it’s sad for me that she just graduated, I’m incredibly excited for her to begin this new chapter.
Q2. Last time we spoke was around the release of your song ‘dance with me!’, a track that Iggie helped with mixing and mastering. How did you both end up collaborating for your track?
Iggie’s an incredible producer and we overlap in sonic taste, where we hear things similarly. In past collaborations, I always liked the way she would mix my vocals which is rare because I’m very particular. This being said, when I was finishing “dance with me!” I immediately asked if she could mix and master the song. After a few slight adjustments, it was ready to release and I’m so grateful to Iggie for her work.
Q3. As Iggie begins her solo career and you continue to work on your solo tracks, what are your biggest goals as a soloist over the next year or so?
As of right now, my goals as a soloist are to continually release music, and hopefully have a full album by next year. I don’t want to make promises I can’t keep, so don’t get your hopes up too much (I’m trying really hard though I swear!). My biggest challenge has always been overcoming the doubts I have about my artistry, so continuing to write and release is my main
focus. Fingers crossed I can achieve them!
Q4. Collaboration is a bigger part of the music production process than many people realize – can you talk more about the different elements that come together before a song is finalized?
In my collaborative experience, most of the songs I’ve written stem from an idea or concept. Topliners will usually find an idea/buzzword and come up with a melodic line or sometimes the producer will lay something down that sparks creativity. It really is an interactive experience where you’re bouncing ideas off one another until something sticks. The writers I know have so
much phone storage because their voice memos are running the entire session in case there was an idea we liked. For toplines specifically, melodies usually come first with lyrics being secondary.
After the song is written and produced, the process moves through post production beginning with the recording of the song. In the case that the song is being pitched to another artist, oftentimes one of the writers will record the demo which is then mixed and mastered. If the artist is one of the writers, the process is the same except it’s the artist’s vocals.
I realized this year that collaboration is everything. Not only in music, but in life. As someone who prefers to work alone in pretty much everything, I learned the hard way that no man is an island. Through writing with others, I saw tremendous growth within myself and realized how valuable community is.
Q5. You’ve worked on collaborations with Iggie and even hint at writing for other artists in your social media videos. Is there a difference between writing for yourself and others? What tips would you give someone trying either of those for the first time?
There’s a certain type of freedom that comes with writing for others. There’s no boundary of where a song can go because I’m not as attached to what it needs to say or how it needs to be said. I consider myself an empathetic person (or so my therapist tells me), and I love listening to people. Whether it’s a song built around an idea or helping someone express what they want to
say, I find the process to be enjoyable and incredibly precious. I’m more critical in writing for myself, because I am attached to what the song needs to say and how it needs to be said. This doesn’t make it difficult to write, but as a generally private person I find it daunting to share. Writing for myself can speak to my personal experiences like the “Me Before You” EP, but it
doesn’t always. I also love writing stories based on characters I create in my head like in my recent release “dance with me!”.
In regards to advice, I don’t feel there’s particularly a set way to start. At its core, songwriting is just writing except it’s in a DAW as opposed to a document. In the beginning, I would say it’s more based on your area of focus and listener profile. Whether it’s melodies, lyrics, or production, every listener is drawn to some aspect of music. I know writers who flourish with melodies, but struggle with lyrics and vice versa. I’m a writer who has no greed to produce tracks whatsoever (I refuse to do MIDI unless it’s for a grade). You don’t have to do it all in order to write! Collaborating with others is also a great place to start. Just hit record and have fun! If there’s one piece of advice I want to share with new writers it’s to keep in mind that art is subjective and you have to be willing to share ideas in order for them to actually exist.
Q6. Many of your Trulys have been fans since your appearance on The King Of Masked Singer. If you had the opportunity to appear on the show again (or another similar show), what song would you choose to perform this time?
The King of Masked Singer was one of the highlights of my career as an idol. I had so much fun performing with the band and being able to showcase my vocals, which is what I’ve wanted to do ever since the start of my career ten years ago. If I were able to appear again I’d love to do a rendition of a K-pop song like “Mr. Mr.” by Girls Generation. The songs I did on the show were
both by male artists, so performing a girl group song (especially one as iconic as “Mr. Mr.“) would be so much fun! Another option would be “You Were Beautiful” by DAY6. When I first opened my personal accounts in 2022, I uploaded a cover of the song as an homage to my fans and I feel performing it live would make it that much more special.
Thank you so much to both Iggie and Denise for their time and their detailed answers. It’s always a pleasure to interview new artists, and to speak about the power and impact of collaboration in music. Please be sure to check out ‘Buzzin‘ by Iggie featuring Denise Kim at the links below, and let them know HallyuTones sent you!
Socials:
Iggie: https://www.instagram.com/realiggie
Denise: https://www.instagram.com/denisekimsays
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/buzzin-feat-denise-single/1839637109
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/4n8WgR7M04ZyNRSVrNJzZc
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