Zion.T Sound Design Label MATE: Korean Music Production Gets Major Boost

Korean R&B star Zion.T just launched MATE, a sound design label that's already making waves in the music industry. The new venture operates under his company Standard Friends and promises to shake up how music gets produced in Korea.

Award-Winning Team Behind MATE

MATE brings together three talented engineers: Park Jun-woo, Yoon Jun-hyuk (HRBstage), and Kim Sun-gyu. These aren't newcomers - they recently handled the sound design and mixing for Zion.T's EP "POSER."

Their biggest success? Working on SUMIN & Slom's album "MINISERIES 2," which won Best R&B and Soul Album at the 2025 Korean Music Awards. The trio mixed every track on this award-winning project.

Why MATE Matters Now

"Sound design requires the most thought and time in music creation," Zion.T explained. He sees MATE solving real problems that artists face every day when making music.

The timing makes sense. Korea's music scene is exploding globally, but many artists still struggle with quality sound production. MATE wants to bridge that gap.

AI Meets Traditional Skills

Zion.T isn't just thinking about today - he's planning for tomorrow. He believes sound designers who combine AI technology with traditional expertise will dominate the future music landscape.

"We want to nurture this type of talent and push the creative environment forward," he said.

What MATE Actually Does

The label offers complete packages covering:

-Vocal tuning and mixing

-Full sound directing for projects

-Services for both artists and companies

They're also developing plugin tools that artists can use independently, potentially setting new industry standards.

Zion.T's Growing Business Empire

Standard Friends started in 2022 while Zion.T was still with The Black Label. After leaving The Black Label in July 2024, he's now running his own show completely.

The company already represents rappers Wonstein and Giriboy, plus producer Slom. MATE represents his next big expansion move.

Industry Impact

This launch reflects bigger changes in Korean music. Independent labels are challenging traditional powerhouses, and specialized service companies like MATE are filling crucial gaps.

By focusing purely on sound production, Zion.T is positioning himself as essential infrastructure for Korea's music boom - not just another artist trying to stay relevant.

MATE could become the go-to solution for artists who want professional sound without breaking the bank or dealing with major label bureaucracy.