From Rapper to Hitmaker: Teddy Park's EPIC journey that's shaking up the K-Pop world post 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' success

Time of India

a day ago

Tuning an animated film like "
K-Pop
Demon Hunters" into a hit with music that echoes
Blackpink
's energy, that's
Teddy Park
for you. The elusive producer has a distinct style that permeates tracks without him ever stepping out into the limelight.
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Fans quickly noted his influence in the film's tracks like "Golden" and "How It's Done," crafted with his
The Black Label
team. His blend of hip-hop, EDM, and catchy hooks mirrors iconic hits such as Blackpink's "Kill This Love" (2019), 2NE1's "I Am The Best" (2011), and BigBang's "Fantastic Baby" (2012) - all his creations. Often likened to pop maestro Max Martin, Teddy has subtly transformed K-pop over a decade into a worldwide sensation.
With Blackpink's "Jump" topping charts and his co-ed group Allday Project rising, it's time to decode this puzzle. Who'd guess a former rapper would architect K-pop's bold edge?
Teddy's tracks are cultural shifts, like Blackpink's 2022 "Pink Venom," which mixed traditional Korean sounds with hip-hop, echoing his early 1TYM experiment in "Kwaejina Ching Ching" (2000). His trend-spotting, such as adding trap to "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du" (2018) during its US boom, marks him as a pioneer.
Music critic Shim Jae-geol of JX United says: "He's able to notice the trendiest elements in global pop and interpret them through his own distinctive lens."
From Seoul's Streets to LA Auditions
Born Park Hong-jun in Seoul, Teddy's path resembles an inspiring underdog story. He relocated to New York in middle school, absorbing urban influences, and in 1997, auditioned for
YG Entertainment
founder Yang Hyun-suk in Los Angeles - a pivotal encounter shaping his career.
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Debuting in 1998 as 1TYM's leader, he introduced raw hip-hop to Korea amid pop dominance. Chart-toppers like "One Love" (2000) and "Hot" (2003), both by him, pioneered the genre until the group's 2006 pause. His fusion of traditional elements with rap laid the groundwork for his producer phase.
In a 2009 Starnews Korea interview, he shared being content as a rapper but "even happier as a producer," fitting his behind-the-scenes nature.
Beyond YG, he produced hits like Sunmi's "Gashina" (2017), Uhm Jeong-hwa's "D.I.S.C.O" (2008), and featured in Lee Hyo-ri's "Anyclub" (2005). Personally private, he dated actor Han Ye-seul from 2013 to 2016, with 2017 rumours involving Blackpink's Jennie swiftly denied by YG. His stage-to-studio shift underscores that true impact often happens offstage.
Becoming Blackpink's Secret Weapon
Teddy's producing started with 1TYM's "2nd Round" (2000) and YG tracks, but exploded with 2NE1's 2009 debut.
Yang credited him for hits like "Fire" (2009) and "I Am The Best" (2011), plus their fierce image. He boosted BigBang and became integral to Blackpink, with
calling him the "fifth member" in a 2020 press event for their documentary, as he knows them deeply. From "How You Like That" (2020) to "Jump," his work forms their core.
His edge? Spotting trends, like Brazilian funk in Allday Project's "Famous" or trap in Blackpink's early hits.
In 2017, the Korea Music Copyright Association named him top-earning songwriter, with reports indicating high royalties (per Statista data on global songwriters). Yang dubbed him successor in 2015, but Teddy founded The Black Label in 2016 as a YG subsidiary, gaining independence by 2025 with YG's stake at 14.55%. This shows he's not just creating music but building legacies.
Going Independent
At The Black Label, Teddy nurtures artists like Jeon Somi (2018 signee), BigBang's Taeyang, Blackpink's Rose, and dancer Leejung.
He debuted girl group Meovv in September 2024, initially mysterious but succeeding with 2025 EP "My Eyes Open Vvide" and "Hands Up" win via increased media. June 2025 brought mixed-gender Allday Project, using his producer fame for a strong launch with cohesive sound and visuals.
Shim notes the mixed setup is novel, but Teddy's aesthetics drive success. As an independent leader, he must establish two rookies. Analyst Lee Hwa-jeong's July 22, 2025 report states time is needed to rival K-pop giants, yet such innovations advance the industry.
Teddy's journey inspires creators to innovate beyond boundaries.