From KPop Demon Hunters to Cha Cha Cha, South Korean songwriter Vince sets sights on stardom

SEOUL – Joe Rhee’s look screams rebel. The pitch-black ink on his arms contrasts with his all-white attire, which is finished off with layered necklaces, diamond stud earrings and a nose piercing.

More widely known as Vince, he is a South Korean singer-songwriter and producer under record label The Black Label, an associate company of YG Entertainment. Few would guess that he is the composer behind Soda Pop and Your Idol. These Saja Boys anthems in the Netflix animated movie KPop Demon Hunters have been taking summer music charts by storm.

“I am surprised by the global popularity of KPop Demon Hunters. As a producer, I am not used to being in the spotlight – even with hit songs – so receiving this kind of media attention feels new and like a present to me,” the 36-year-old said.

Now, with a new song released on Aug 25, Vince may soon find even more of the spotlight shifting his way.

His digital single Cha Cha Cha features K-pop star G-Dragon. The smooth melody of the hip-hop R&B track is inspired by South Korean trot singer Seol Woon-do’s 1991 mega-hit Everybody Cha Cha Cha.

“I wanted to incorporate familiar, approachable elements in my new song. While the phrase ‘cha cha cha’ is already well known, thanks to Seol, I added a modern twist with my own style, creating a song that is both stylish and easy for people to enjoy,” Vince said.

On teaming up with G-Dragon, it began with a simple question.

“When G-Dragon visited The Black Label to work on his songs, a producer at the agency asked if he could feature on the track. G-Dragon then jokingly said, ‘Do you want to rise to fame?’ And I said ‘yes’ without a moment of hesitation,” Vince said with a laugh.

He seemed confident about entering the limelight.

“Unlike the songs I have made for other singers as a producer, which were more intense in terms of the beat, Cha Cha Cha reveals a lighter and more fun side of my personality. I’m confident that the song will be uplifting for listeners,” Vince said.

He has worked with K-pop A-listers such as Taeyang, Big Bang, G-Dragon and Blackpink since joining The Black Label in 2016. However, the virtuoso has focused on making music for other artistes, rather than being in the spotlight as a singer with his songs.

He released his first single Mennal in 2019, Emergency in 2020 and an EP, The Drive, in 2023.

But Vince expressed hopes of being able to share his musical projects and voice with a wider audience.

“If listeners rave about Cha Cha Cha and wish to hear more of my songs, I will release more of my own music and focus more on performing as a singer,” he said.

Growing up listening to American singer-songwriter Pharrell Williams, Vince hopes to follow in his idol’s footsteps.

“I’ve always admired Pharrell for his work as both a producer and an artiste. He has his own distinctive sound, but at the same time, he is also behind so many hit songs as a producer. Whenever I see his name attached to a song, I expect it to be good.”

He added: “I want my name, Vince, to mean quality, just like Pharrell. I want people to expect excellence and good music.” THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK