Wendie Ayche (Wengie for short!) is the beloved Chinese-Australian YouTuber who is known for creating some stellar K-Pop-esque MVs over the past few years. Now, Wengie is stepping her game up as she begins to release hit songs with some of K-Pop's most hottest producers.
If you died after hearing BTS' "Euphoria" and could barely breathe after listening to TXT's debut single "Crown," then you will barely be able to press the repeat button after hearing Wengie's latest hits! Wengie released her first single back in 2017 with "Baby Believe In Me" in China. She then released her first English song "Cake" a year later in July. Now her latest video "Lace Up" involves her working alongside composers and lyricists such as Melanie Fontana, who is famous for creating many hit songs in the K-Pop world. But Melanie isn't her only secret weapon, she even worked alongside composers from TWICE and Girls' Generation lineup!
Keep reading and see what Wengie had to say about her YouTube career and some of her favorite K-Pop inspirations!
1. Was there ever a video you didn't expect to become so popular? If so, which one was it?
"It would have to be my first Chinese Music Video "Oh I Do". It was in a completely different language uploaded on my very old music channel where I used to do singing and dancing covers and surprisingly it was sooo popular! It's actually still the most viewed music video on my music channel. Fun fact to make that video we shot for 24 hours... straight!! It was well worth it, though!"
2. You seem to know the best trends to start and follow, can you predict any trends you think you want to start or try in 2019?
"I guess I know the trends because I literally watch so much YouTube personally!! So when I see something fun that I want to be a part of I just make a video trying it out or doing my own spin on it!! :) I think that's the best way to create content! The funny thing about trends is you never know what’s going to be popular on YouTube, it is always a random thing!! However, I've recently enjoyed making animated story time videos! It's a new format and I had so much fun making the first one telling my story of how I was so shy as a child."
3. What made you get into music? Is there any Asian genre or artists that inspired your concept, look, and style?
"I've always loved music since I can even remember. It's something that really brought me out of my shell! I was always really shy and didn't know how to express myself, but music really allowed me to do that and made me feel alive! I didn't learn to play any instruments growing up (my parents couldn't afford the lessons) but realized the best instruments are the ones you were born with, your body and your voice!!! :) I have a diverse range of inspirations and styles and used to listen to C-Pop, J-pop and K-pop, of course! I'm really loving the K-Pop trends now including what BLACK PINK and ITZY are doing - it's super ‘girl crush’ style but my love will always be HyunA, she's so sassy and confident. Definitely my girl crush~ :)"
4. You have released a lot of English songs lately. Do you prefer singing more in English or Chinese?
"I love both! Chinese has the added challenge of being so foreign (ironically) to me but I'm so blessed to have been able to learn my mother tongue. Well one of them I spoke Cantonese growing up and my songs are in Mandarin, however, I still find singing in English to be more fun because I know the language already. I can concentrate on showing more style/emotion which is something I'm continually trying to improve. When you sing in another language you're not familiar with most of your concentration is spent on just getting the words right!"
(This is so relevant and true... Our idols work hard for us!)
5. Are there any special producers or composers and even videographers that work with you on your musical career and projects often? Perhaps, you're the one writing all of the lyrics and creating the overall concepts/fashion?
"I'm really blessed to have worked with an all-star team! Melanie Fontana is the mastermind behind hits from BTS "Euphoria" and now TXT "Crown" alongside her husband. I can't forget the amazing producer, Lindgren, as well who is so fun to work with! Also, I've worked on a new song coming up with David Amber who produced "Yes or Yes" and "Heartshaker” for TWICE, so I'm so excited to share that as well!!
I've worked with some amazing directors and videographers, Jared Lee for my first 2 singles “Cake" and "Deja Vu" as well as Austin Saya for "Lace Up.” But my proudest moment will probably be wholly shooting and producing "Ugly Christmas Sweater" with our own in-house team and my partner Max editing the whole thing! Our first time taking on a whole music video project ourselves was incredibly challenging but when it hit #1 trending on YouTube in the USA, as well as trending in 4 other countries, it was well worth it! Of course, I did the styling myself (For Ugly Christmas Sweater and Lace Up) - that's the most fun part! The not so fun part was painting every single present box you saw at the back of the set in our living room while my cats ran around getting paint on themselves XD."
6. Tell me about 'Lace Up' - do you think this is an entirely new concept for you or something familiar? Is there anything you changed or tried differently with this song's overall sound and concept?
"'Lace Up' is more storyline based and the first time I had an all influencer/music artist cast! It was extremely fun working with friends from YouTube like Matt Steffanina, Rebecca Zamolo, Cloe Cotour, Jun Curry Ahn and Susie Meow and other amazing musical artists and producers like Jessica Reynoso (new singer for the Black Eyed Peas), Sharlene an amazing Latina artist, and finally Shawn Wasabi and David Amber who I’m working with on future projects!"
There you have it, everyone - now you know the ins and outs of the lovely Wengie... well, at least a lot more than you did before! Do you want to learn more about Wengie and see what K-Pop groups she would join, her favorite groups and songs, as well as future projects she is working on? Read the full interview here and check out her video message to fans as well!
