Amirite?
As someone fascinated with MHJ's creative process, I'm following the rollout of V's album with great interest. I don't closely follow BTS, so this is just some observations and things we can expect based on her and her team's work with NewJeans.
We can do this because despite what some of us want to believe - that she's just there for marketing/promotions and maybe some visual direction, cuz even the album package is sooo V and probably designed by him (instead of an award winning designer) - truth is that MHJ will lead the overall production of the album, including music, choreography, design, and promotion.
But what you'll find is that all worries that MHJ will steal the spotlight from V are unfounded. As V himself even said, he chose her bc to him she's the producer that can truly bring out what an artist has within. And all his "tastes are intact" and reflected in the album.
And while it can seem that MHJ has a very clear vision for what any final product turns out to be and is obsessive down to the minor details, that does not mean that she doesn't involve her artists in the creative process. In fact, you can argue she's one of the producers who take into consideration her artists' input the most:
Lyrics:
Danielle was encouraged to contribute lyrics to Attention and Hanni for Hype Boy. This was before they even debuted. You can find their names in the writing credits. And apparently the next gen idea for the unannounced drop came from Hyein, the youngest member. Subsequently, Minji appears in the credits for Ditto and Haerin for New Jeans. I would find it shocking, disappointing even, if there isn't at least a song written by V. But if there isn't, it's MHJ's fault. Just for the record.
Choreo:
Voice:
MHJ commented that she found V's "unfamiliar timbre" interesting. And I found her comment interesting. Expect her to draw out and feature V's natural voice much like she does NewJeans - more natural and less prescribed or formulaic (i.e. JYP breath method, singing above range etc.).
However, when it comes to execution when it's time to record, MHJ will have the final say. But the focus is less on technique and more on the integrity of the message conveyed and how it fits in to the piece holistically. Like what she suggested here to achieve what Pitchfork described as the "nervousness and giddiness" of longing and "eagerness" to feel:
Music:
This is the part that I am most curious to see. Does V compose music? In any event, MHJ has an eclectic ear for innovative music worldwide and brings together composers and producers who would otherwise be unlikely to get involved in Kpop. As indications are that V is going for more of a Jazzy R&B sound, I anticipate MHJ will tap the composers for maybe CWY and for sure Get Up for V's album, especially Freekind - you can check out their sound here:
2021 album:
Latest album:
Personal Hail Mary:
I want to see a song in the style of Get Up, where Hyein at least makes an appearance like Minji and Hanni did in Permission to Dance. Dare I suggest even a brief scene of V visiting a Jazz bar where Hyein is singing Get Up before he leaves and kicks things off. Probably not, but that would be epic.
Anyways, let's everybody cross our fingers for V. Both for him as well as for MHJ's sake.