Line distribution is one of the most debated topics in the K-Pop community. Fans often voice their frustration when their favorite member only gets a few seconds to shine in a song. But who decides how the parts are divided? K-Pop songwriters Cosmic Sound (Kim Kihyun) and Cosmic Girl (Yoo Jooyi) recently shared their insights on the process in a YouTube interview with AYO.
Line distribution is one of the most debated topics in the K-Pop community
Contrary to popular belief, the responsibility for line distribution doesn’t lie solely with entertainment agencies. According to Cosmic Sound, it’s the songwriters who decide which member gets each part. The duo explained that they work with a “big sketch” of the song, allocating parts based on who suits each section best.
For instance, main vocalists often get parts with challenging high notes because of their vocal range. Wendy of Red Velvet is a prime example, frequently handling the group’s demanding high notes. But sometimes, the tone or style of a song may better suit a lead or sub-vocalist. In Red Velvet’s Japanese track Sayonara, Joy—one of the group’s lead vocalists—had the most lines, as her tone complemented the jazzy vibe of the song.
While fans often suspect personal bias or favoritism, the songwriters emphasized that their decisions are based purely on musical compatibility, not personal preferences or friendships. “We divide [songs] fairly,” said Cosmic Girl, though she acknowledged fans might disagree with their idea of fairness.
A notable example is ONEUS’s Valkyrie, a song co-written by Cosmic Sound and Cosmic Girl. In this track, main rapper Leedo received 29.2% of the lines, while main vocalist Seoho ranked lower, and sub-vocalist Xion had just 7.5%. For fans, this may feel unfair, but the songwriters explained that the distribution reflected their vision for the song rather than a rigid equality standard.
Ultimately, songwriters focus on creating the best musical experience, even if it means some members naturally get fewer lines. This difference between fans’ expectations of equality and songwriters’ prioritization of music is the root of the debate surrounding line distributions in K-Pop.
