The Black Label, founded by legendary producer Teddy, is dominating the K-pop landscape in 2025. From the highly successful debut of co-ed group ALLDAY PROJECT to the global recognition of the Netflix animation 'K-pop Demon Hunters' soundtrack, the label has demonstrated its growing influence across Korea and beyond.
The surge began with ALLDAY PROJECT, a five-member co-ed group that debuted on June 23. Known for its bold concept and diverse lineup, the group immediately captured attention. Annie, granddaughter of Shinsegae Group chairwoman Lee Myung Hee, and Youngseo, a former contestant on 'R U NEXT?', were joined by celebrated dancer Bailey, rapper Woochan from 'Show Me the Money 6', and model-turned-idol Tarzan. Just four days after their debut, the group’s first single 'FAMOUS' reached No. 1 on Melon’s Top 100 chart. On July 3, they won first place on Mnet’s 'M Countdown', only 10 days into their debut.
Following their breakthrough, The Black Label extended its impact with the release of the 'K-pop Demon Hunters' OST on June 28. The soundtrack, composed by in-house producers Teddy, Kush, 24, Vince, ido, and Danny Chung, featured fictional K-pop acts Huntrix and Saja Boys, whose songs 'Golden', 'How It’s Done', 'Soda Pop', and 'Your Idol' quickly went viral. The choreography for Saja Boys was created by top dancer Leejung, also under The Black Label.
The results were staggering. The OST debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 (July 12), while 'Golden' landed at No. 23 on the Hot 100, with other tracks also charting: 'Your Idol' at No. 31, 'How It’s Done' at No. 42, and 'Soda Pop' at No. 49. On Spotify, 'Your Idol' even claimed the No. 1 spot on the U.S. Daily Top Songs chart.
The Black Label’s momentum had already begun earlier in April when their first girl group MEOVV, which debuted in September 2024, scored their first win on Mnet’s 'M Countdown' with 'HANDS UP'. The Brazilian funk-style song topped Melon’s Hot 100 and solidified MEOVV’s position in the competitive K-pop scene.
In March, IZNA, the girl group formed through Mnet’s survival show 'I-LAND 2: N/a', won their first trophy on SBS M’s 'The Show' with 'SIGN', which was fully produced by Teddy.
Industry observers attribute this streak of success to a major shift in strategy. Unlike MEOVV’s early debut phase, which relied on a mysterious image with minimal content, The Black Label has adopted a more aggressive, fan-focused approach. ALLDAY PROJECT was developed with public recognition and talent in mind, while content-driven promotion for all their artists helped increase audience engagement. Additionally, the distinct hip-hop and R&B identity in Teddy’s production resonates with both domestic and global listeners.
An insider commented, “After BLACKPINK’s global breakthrough, the international market started recognizing Teddy’s sound as a defining image of K-pop. The OST for 'K-pop Demon Hunters' solidifies that narrative.”
Following this momentum, soloist Jeon Somi returned with her new single 'EXTRA', marking her first comeback in a year. Meanwhile, BLACKPINK released their single 'JUMP' on July 11, which featured production by Teddy and 24.
With hits continuing to roll in, The Black Label is proving that its influence is not only consistent but expanding—setting the tone for the future of K-pop in 2025 and beyond.
SEE ALSO: ALLDAY PROJECT’s Explosive Debut: What "FAMOUS" has achieved So Far
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