From K-pop fan girl to songwriter responsible for Itzy, Nmixx hits, how Charlotte Wilson found Korean music success

Charlotte Wilson grew up in the UK and Trinidad and Tobago, listening to Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys and Calypso music before becoming interested in K-pop

She broke into the industry in 2019 when Itzy picked up her song ‘Not Shy’. Since then she’s worked with K-pop acts including Kai from EXO, Enhypen and The Boyz

Reading Time:3 minutes

Charlotte Wilson, a K-pop composer in South Korea. Wilson grew up in the UK and Trinidad and Tobago, listening to pop and Calypso. She broke into the industry when girl group Itzy picked up her tune ‘Not Shy’. Photo: Instagram/@iamcharlottewilson

Published: 8:15pm, 1 Oct 2022

By Dong Sun-hwa

On September 19, songwriter Charlotte Wilson shed tears as she watched the performance of “Dice” by rookie K-pop girl group Nmixx at YES24 Live Hall in eastern Seoul. Seeing the septet take the stage with the new song that she composed made her feel extremely emotional, although it was not the first time that a popular K-pop act performed her song.

“Nmixx members are like my little sisters, and it was a dream come true for me to see them perform my song,” says Wilson. “Many people think I am really tough, but I am actually very emotional.”

For Wilson, who began composing her own songs at the age of 12, becoming a K-pop songwriter was the fulfilment of a dream.

Nmixx performing in Seoul, South Korea. Photo: Getty Images

She fell under the spell of Korean music when she was 16, after watching by chance the “I’m Coming” (2006) music video by Korean singer-actor Rain, who is best known for his mega-hits like “Rainism” (2008).