Several Norwegian songwriters and production companies have succeeded in the Asian market. More than 4.5 million copies have been sold in the period 2013-2015. The group Girls’ Generation is for instance considered ten times bigger in Asia than Spice Girls.
Here are the best-selling albums and singles:
Wolf, performed by EXO, Number 1 in South Korea and China, sold 1.400.000 copies. Songwriter Dsign/Herman Harambasic. (Album: XOXO)
The Star, performed by EXO, Number 1 in South Korea and China, sold 700.000 copies. Songwriters Dsign/Martin Mulholand and Nermin Harambasic (Album: Miracles in December)
Starting over, performed by J Soul Brothers, Number 1 in Japan, sold 420.000 copies. Songwriter Warner/Chapell Norway – Mats Lie Skåre. (Single-release)
This is Love + Let’s Dance, performed by Super Junior, Number 1 in South Korea and Taiwan, sold 400.000 copies. Songwriter Dsign/Nermin Harambasic. (Album: Mamacita)
Melrose, performed by Exile Atsushi, Number 1 in Japan, sold 361.000 copies. Songwriter Warner/Chapell Norway – Mats Lie Skåre. (Album: Love Ballad + Music)
Rise, performed by TVXO, Number 1 in South Korea, sold 196.000 copies. Songwriters Dsign/Martin Mulholland. (Album: Tense)
Soul, performed by Girls’ Generation, Number 1 in South Korea, sold 184.000 copies. Songwriters Dsign/Anne Judith Wiik, Ronny Svendsen, Nermin Mulholland and Robin Jenssen. (Album: Mr. Mr.)
https://youtu.be/EKUZk0HpTsU
Back hug, performed by Girls’ Generation, Number 1 on South Korea, sold 184.000 copies. Songwriters Warners/Chapell Norway – Jesper Borgen and Ingrid Skretting. (Album: Mr. Mr.)
Genie, Beep Beep, Love & Girls, performed by Girls’ Generation, Nu,ber 1 in Japan, sold 175.000 copies. Songwriters Dsign/ Anne Judith Wiik, Ronny Svendsen, Nermin Mulholland and Robin Jenssen. (Album: The Best)
https://youtu.be/iCz55KH5LpU
Sunny Day Hero, performed by Shinee, Number 1 in South Korea, sold 124.000 copies. Songwriters: Warner/Chapell Norway – Kim Bergseth and Tom Hugo. (Album: I’m your boy)
Chaos + Dear performed by The Second from Exile, Number 1 in Japan, sold 63.000 copies. Songwriter: Warner/Chapell Norway – Mats Lie Skåre. (Album: The II Age)
Imagine, performed by Kumi Koda, Number 1 in Japan, sold 60.000 copies. Songwriter: Warner/Chapell Norway – Mats Lie Skåre. (Album: Bon Voyage)
LOL, performed by Kumi Koda, Number 1 in Japan, sold 59.500 copies. Songwriters: Dsign/Anne Judith Wiik, Ronny Svendsen, Nermin Mulholland. (Album: Bon Voyage)
Pain is Love + Deep lines, performed by Tomomi Itano, Number 1 in Japan, sold 34.000 copies. Songwriter: Warner/Chapell Norway – Mats Lie Skåre. (Album: Little)
Dsign Music, which appears several times is a songwriting/production company, originally from Trondheim, Norway. Today the core team is based in Los Angeles [US] and Seoul [Korea]. Dsign Music was formed in 2006 by Robin Jenssen, Anne Judith Wik, Nermin Harambašić and Ronny Svendsen.
The core team was signed to Universal Music Publishing Group in 2008. They have been involved in numerous #1 singles worldwide, a total of 15 #1 on the US Billboard and multiple platinum and diamond albums. Dsign Music is also involved in other ventures such as musicals, TV-shows and movie scores.
The songwriter Mats Lie Skåre has reached the Japanese hit-lists about 30 times.
Norwegian Songwriters Conquer Asia, compiled by Tor Kjolberg
Feature image (on top)Image. Norway-based Dsign Music — (from left to right) founders Nermin Harambasic, Robin Jenssen, Anne Judith Wik and Ronny Svendsen