Swedish songwriter Alex Karlsson speaks during "From K-pop to Global Pop: Rethinking Music Without Borders" at Fête de la Musique+ 2026 in Seoul's Mapo District, June 8. Courtesy of Leeway Music & Media
A Swedish music producer who has worked with the biggest names in K-pop — BTS, SuperM, Tomorrow X Together, ENHYPEN, LE SSERAFIM and ATEEZ — said Seoul has become a "global melting pot" for music talent, surpassing creative hubs like Stockholm and Los Angeles, as top songwriters worldwide increasingly look to Korea for the best opportunities.
"I saw an opportunity that seemed more impactful by coming to Seoul rather than going to the States, and not by a small margin," Alex Karlsson said at a music industry conference hosted by the French Embassy in Seoul, June 8.
Karlsson was speaking at "From K-pop to Global Pop: Rethinking Music Without Borders," the opening panel of "Fête de la Musique+ 2026," a Korea-France cultural exchange event held in Seoul.
For Karlsson, Korea's appeal as a creative base comes down to access and structure. He said the country draws top-tier global talent at a scale unmatched by European music hubs, while its systemized approach to music production offers a creative framework he finds valuable rather than limiting.
