Zion.T Expands His Creative Universe
If anyone’s been quietly reshaping the soundscape of modern Korean pop and R&B, it’s Zion.T. Now, he’s taking things a step further. The STANDARD FRIENDS founder just launched a new sound design-focused label called MATE, and it’s already making noise—literally.
What’s MATE All About?
Think of MATE as a sonic think tank housed under Zion.T’s creative company, STANDARD FRIENDS. This new offshoot is dedicated to providing high-end sound services—from mixing and vocal tuning to full-on sound direction—to artists and production companies.
The key players? A trio of highly respected engineers: Park Junwoo, Yoon Junhyuk of HRBstage, and Kim Seonggyu. If their names don’t ring a bell, their work certainly will. They handled everything from sound design to mixing on Zion.T’s recent EP, POSER, and were behind the Grammy-equivalent-winning mix of SUMIN and Slom’s full album MINISERIES 2, which swept the 22nd Korean Music Awards.
Credits That Speak Volumes
These sound gurus are also the force behind TWICE member Chaeyoung’s solo debut album, LIL FANTASY vol.1, not to mention production work with K-pop and indie elite like IU, Giriboy, BADVILLAIN, QWER, and Wonstein. Point is: MATE isn’t just another vanity label—it’s run by people who build hit tracks by hand, not algorithms.
Zion.T’s Vision: Where Sound Meets Innovation
“The area that demands the most time, stress, and creativity in music production is sound design,” Zion.T said, explaining his motivation behind creating MATE. He sees it as a crucial missing piece in an industry obsessed with visuals and catchy hooks. “We want to offer efficient, innovative solutions to artists and contribute to the growth of Korea’s music industry as a whole.”
He also teased plans for developing artist-friendly plug-in tools, aiming to set a new standard in Korea’s sound design scene. And with AI tech on the rise, Zion.T believes that hybrid talents—those who mix digital skills with human intuition—will lead the next wave of music creation. Through MATE, he’s setting the stage for that future.
Sound Design’s Moment in the Spotlight?
With MATE providing cost-effective, all-in-one sound packages—from mixing and mastering to vocal production and creative direction—it could mark the start of a new era where engineers get as much shine as the stars they help sculpt.
In a world where K-pop is often visual-first, Zion.T just made a bold bet on what we hear—not just what we see. And honestly? It sounds like a smart move.
