[Interview] R.Tee, Producer Behind BLACKPINK and BIGBANG K-pop Hits, Launches Label with Jeon Soyeon as First Partner

RTST LABEL Established in Seongsu-dong
First Project "Damdadi" Releases on the 10th
"Breaking Genre Barriers, Aiming for Korea to Lead in Electronic Music"

Alti is conducting an interview at the Altistlabel office building in Seongdong-gu, Seoul on the 7th. Altistlabel

Producer R.Tee (real name Kim Junggu), who has created global K-pop hits such as BLACKPINK's "Playing with Fire" and "Kill This Love," as well as BIGBANG's "Fxxk It," has embarked on an independent path based on his ten-year music career. Recently, he established his own label, RTST LABEL, and announced his vision to further expand his unique musical world.

When we met him at the RTST LABEL office building in Seongdong-gu, Seoul on the 7th, he said, "Up until now, I have been writing songs within a given system, but now I want to create the framework itself." He added, "I want to introduce not only music but also remarkable artists to the public." The name, which stands for "R.Tee's style," embodies his identity. "I wanted to work with people who have passion and sincerity," he said, emphasizing, "I will make this a label where creators who dedicate their lives to music can gather."

He cited several reasons for founding the label: discovering creators who are not bound by genre, producing solo artists who can perform on the global stage, and, as a long-term goal, establishing Korea as a powerhouse in electronic music. He said, "Just as Germany designated techno as part of its national cultural heritage, I believe Korea can also build a healthy ecosystem for electronic music," adding, "I hope this label becomes a testing ground for that."

The first project is a collaborative single, "Damdadi," with Jeon Soyeon of (G)I-DLE. Inspired by the song of the same name from the 1980s, it has been reinterpreted in a modern way, layering Jeon Soyeon's signature direct rap over an upbeat funk rhythm and hip-hop beat. R.Tee said, "I wanted to create a sound that maintains the original song's cheerful vibe but is enjoyable for today's generation."

Regarding Jeon Soyeon, he commented, "She is an artist who is highly immersed in her work and presents concepts with clarity," adding, "This result was possible because we trusted each other's strengths. She is a gift-like presence who matched the character I was looking for perfectly." He added, "I hope this song will be remembered by the new generation as the 'Damdadi' of our era."

He also expressed his affection for old Korean popular music. Declaring himself a passionate fan of Sanulrim, he said, "I can never forget the shock I felt when I first heard 'Spread Silk on My Heart.' If I ever meet a band like 'Muse,' I would want to introduce them to Sanulrim's music before my own."

The "Damdadi" music video also breaks away from existing formulas. He explained, "I wanted to break the stereotype that cool music must be paired with cool visuals, so I combined a 'hip' video with a cool track." He added, "Although the sexy concept scenes were visualized by the director, the overall direction was my idea."

Alti is conducting an interview at the Altistlabel office building in Seongdong-gu, Seoul on the 7th. Altistlabel

R.Tee joined YG Entertainment in 2014 and produced numerous hit songs for top artists such as BIGBANG and BLACKPINK. He also participated in tracks like "As If It's Your Last" and "DDU-DU DDU-DU," and later worked with artists such as Jeon Somi at THEBLACKLABEL. He continued his solo activities and DJ performances as well. He said, "With BLACKPINK's songs, if I liked something, I just made it. I don't calculate. When everything fits together, miraculous results happen."

Regarding K-pop, he analyzed, "It's difficult to define precisely, but it's clear that K-pop is 'music that looks good.' The genre is multilayered, from its communication structure with fans to the group system." Addressing the perception of electronic music as a subculture, he said, "The barriers are the environment where it's hard to experience unless you go to certain venues, and the prejudices about the DJ profession." He added, "I want to show that electronic music is a genre that can give people positive energy in everyday life."

Looking ahead, he plans to focus on creative work that transcends genres and formats, as well as on popularizing electronic music. He said, "The strength of K-pop is that it can incorporate pop, hip-hop, house, Latin, and Afrobeat all in one song," adding, "I will show this kind of fusion in an even more sophisticated way going forward." He also plans to expand collaborations with overseas producers and discover new domestic artists.

He will also continue his activities as a DJ. He has performed at "Ultra Music Festival" (UMF) and "World DJ Festival," and ten years ago, he remodeled a 5-ton truck to host a "traveling EDM festival." R.Tee expressed his ambition, saying, "Even people who find it hard to go to clubs should be able to enjoy electronic music," and "I want to hold private performances at the label's lounge."