South Korean singer-songwriter Zion.T has returned to the spotlight, unveiling his highly anticipated 10-track album titled "[Zip]". This marks his first album release in 6 years.

The album is set to mesmerize fans with its diverse offerings, including the music videos for 'UNLOVE', a track produced by the British electronic duo HONNE, and 'Stranger'.

'UNLOVE (prod. HONNE)' is a vibrant anthem celebrating the liberation that comes with the end of a relationship. In the accompanying music video, Zion.T crafts a playful narrative, symbolically shedding "baby tears" as he navigates through the art of a successful breakup. The video culminates in a guitar solo beneath fireworks, capturing the essence of newfound freedom.

Check out the music video of 'UNLOVE (prod. HONNE)' here.

Meanwhile, 'Stranger' features renowned actor Choi MinSik, known for his roles in "Lucy" and the acclaimed classic "Oldboy." The video showcases Choi MinSik finding unexpected joy and companionship in interactions with a tiny ant, offering an intriguing take on companionship and entertainment.

Here's the music video of 'Stranger'.

"[Zip]" boasts an impressive lineup of collaborations, featuring talents like American jazz trumpeter Benny Benack III, pianist SeokCheol Yoon, and K-Pop sibling duo AKMU. Zion.T's involvement in songwriting across all tracks emphasizes the album's focus on daily life reflections and experiences, weaving together a rich tapestry of genres including pop, R&B, soul, folk, ballad, jazz, and hip-hop. Notable producers such as PEEJAY, Junu Park, Fisherman, and Slom contribute their expertise to the project.

As I enter my twelfth winter, I release my third studio album, "[Zip]." Looking back, I realize that I don’t release albums regularly. It seems more rare than an annual event, doesn’t it?
The songs on this project were not created easily. Scattered at times, hidden at others, they eventually came together over time to form what they are now.
While they may not be perfect, I believe that they’ve turned out quite wonderfully. I hope that among these ten tracks, there is at least one song that you would like to keep and cherish.
Once again, thank you for listening! Your support enables me to continue making music.
Zip.

This album is a significant step for Zion.T since his last EP "[ZZZ]." During his hiatus, he appeared as a judge on the popular show "Show Me The Money 10" and co-produced the track 'MERRY-GO-ROUND', which dominated the Billboard K-Pop chart for an impressive 12 weeks. He also collaborated on the soundtrack for Marvel's "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" and recently teamed up with Rich Brian and Warren Hue on the track and music video for 'World Stop Turning' released through 88rising.

Have you listened to Zion.T's latest album "[Zip]"? Which track is your favorite?

THEBLACKSEA, a joint-venture between THEBLACKLABEL and Charoen Pokphand Group (CP), a prominent conglomerate in Thailand, recently conducted a successful audition as its initial step towards establishing itself as a global brand focused on artist-led lifestyle. CP Group, Thailand's largest private company and the world's leading producer of shrimp and agricultural products, operates various businesses, including retail and telecom, across Southeast Asia. THEBLACKLABEL, home to renowned artists such as BIGBANG's TaeYang, Jeon SoMi, LØREN, Zion.T, and Park BoGum, is a creative agency founded by Teddy Park, known for his role as Creative Director behind global stars like BIGBANG, 2NE1, and BLACKPINK. The aim of THEBLACKSEA is to expand beyond traditional entertainment ventures and captivate audiences worldwide through artist-driven lifestyle experiences.

As a crucial step in realizing this ambitious vision, THEBLACKSEA and CP hosted the inaugural "THEBLACKLABEL Thailand Audition," which commenced last April 18th. From the initial online announcement to the THEBLACKBOX Pop-Up Studio at Siam Center, the audition received an overwhelmingly positive response from individuals throughout the nation.

Notably, the audition was graced by members of THEBLACKLABEL's production team, including 24, the primary beat-maker behind BLACKPINK's most successful songs, and Danny Chung, the lyricist renowned for crafting rap verses for BLACKPINK's Jennie and Lisa. Together, 24 and Danny Chung, representing THEBLACKSEA, interacted with thousands of aspiring individuals aspiring to become the next global star from Thailand while showcasing hits like 'Pink Venom', 'Shut Down', and 'How You Like That'.

We are thrilled to partner with THEBLACKLABEL, a leading global music label and creative agency, to support Thai talents and showcase the rich cultural heritage of Thailand to the world. Together, we aim to create a global platform where Thai and SEA culture can shine and where the world can experience the creativity of Thailand.
Mr. Birathon Kasemsri Na Ayudhya, CP Group Chief Content Strategy, Investment, and Partnership Officer

📷 บรรยากาศวันออดิชันของ #THEBLACKLABELTheFirstThailandAudition เมื่ออาทิตย์ที่ผ่านมา เพื่อให้ผู้สมัครได้แสดงความสามารถต่อหน้าโปรดิวเซอร์ทั้ง Danny Chung และ 24 จาก #THEBLACKLABEL ที่บินตรงมาจากเกาหลีใต้เพื่องานนี้โดยเฉพาะ!#CP #ต่อยอดคนไทยไปไกลโกลบอล pic.twitter.com/C8kCi0xHc3

— THEBLACKSEA (@theblacksea_tbs) June 18, 2023

Harnessing the enthusiasm surrounding the audition, THEBLACKLABEL was delighted with the outcomes of the offline screening held in Bangkok on June 10th. What made this evaluation unique was the presence of esteemed producers from THEBLACKLABEL, personally conducting the screening and bringing their extensive experience and expertise from overseas to identify exceptional talent.

THEBLACKLABEL’s First Thailand Audition serves as a testament to THEBLACKSEA's commitment to discovering and nurturing exceptional talents in Thailand. By bridging the gap between local talents and global recognition, THEBLACKSEA aims to create a thriving platform for artists to shine on an international stage
Danny Chung, THEBLACKLABEL Lyricist, and THEBLACKLABEL Head of Talent Business

THEBLACKSEA's journey towards becoming a globally recognized artist-led lifestyle brand has just begun, and the company invites artists, partners, and fans to join them on this extraordinary endeavor. Through their dedication to fostering creativity, embracing cultural diversity, and promoting artistic expression, they will shape the future of entertainment and lifestyle.

CP Group, one of the leading companies in Thailand, has teamed up with THEBLACKLABEL to launch THEBLACKSEA. THEBLACKSEA aims to discover and nurture the next generation of musical talent in Southeast Asia and beyond.

Building on Teddy Park's expertise in talent scouting and the creative engine of the label, which has been behind the success of several artists such as Jeon SoMi, Zion.T, LØREN and more, THEBLACKSEA is set to leverage CP Group's massive reach and global distribution network. The aim is to inspire a new generation of cultural evolution and transform the way the world experiences Thai and Asian culture.

The introduction of the new joint-venture company marks a significant milestone for both CP Group and THEBLACKLABEL, signifying the beginning of a new chapter for both entities. With their collective resources and expertise, they are highly optimistic about their capacity to identify and nurture the next generation of musical talents who have the potential to captivate audiences worldwide.

THEBLACKSEA's inaugural project is the Thailand audition, in collaboration with THEBLACKLABEL, with the aim of discovering gifted individuals in Thailand and Southeast Asia as a whole. The audition is open to aspiring male and female individuals, aged 13 and above, of any nationality with permanent residency in Thailand. Interested applicants can submit their entries via THEBLACKLABEL's official email address ([email protected]), from April 18th, 2023. The chosen finalists will receive comprehensive training at THEBLACKLABEL in Seoul, South Korea, under the guidance of Teddy Park, and will have the opportunity to debut as the next global sensation through the label.

☑️ THEBLACKLABEL X CP Group (THEBLACKSEA) Thailand Audition is now open !!

▪️Category
Vocal / Rap / Dance
▪️Eligibility
Female & Male / Minimum 13 years old#THEBLASEA #CP #THEBLACKLABEL #더블랙레이블#audition #casting #오디션 #캐스팅 pic.twitter.com/zknWvDO6ID

— THEBLACKLABEL (@THEBLACKLABEL) April 18, 2023

THEBLACKLABEL has been actively expanding its roster and recently released LØREN's debut EP "Put Up a Fight" on March 24th. The artist also performed at the renowned Coachella music festival in California. The label is also set to release BIGBANG TaeYang's first EP in six years, titled "Down to Earth," on April 25th. In addition to its music ventures, THEBLACKLABEL has also entered the actor management business by signing prominent A-list actor Park BoGum.

For more information on THEBLACKSEA and the exclusive audition in Thailand, visit the official social media channels of THEBLACKSEA (Twitter - Facebook - Instagram).

Aspiring to become the next biggest Asian artist? Send your audition video to THEBLACKLABEL now!