Label
R&D Company
R&D Company (알앤디컴퍼니) is the South Korean entertainment agency that gave Daesung a second act. The BIGBANG vocalist signed with the label in April 2023 after departing YG Entertainment, and R&D established the dedicated in-house imprint D-LABEL specifically to build his solo identity outside the BIGBANG framework.
The bet on Daesung paid off decisively in 2025. His D's Wave Asia Tour sold out venues across the region, with the Seoul shows at Olympic Hall generating headline coverage when G-Dragon and Taeyang made surprise guest appearances, turning solo concerts into impromptu BIGBANG reunions. Fan and media reaction to the appearances drove viral attention far beyond the original ticketing footprint.
Beyond Daesung, R&D Company manages a diverse slate of artists including comedian Chun Myung Hoon, singer-rapper Kisum, vocalist Kyoung Seo, and several actors. The company operates on the bstage platform for fan engagement and direct-to-fan content delivery.
The label is part of a broader shift in Korean entertainment: veteran artists increasingly choosing smaller, artist-focused agencies over the legacy Big Three and Big Four system. R&D Company's model, centered on one flagship act with a dedicated team and full creative latitude, has become a template for how mid-to-senior career artists can sustain commercial relevance without the infrastructure overhead of a major. For Daesung, the move produced his most visible solo output since BIGBANG's peak years.
Gallery
Daesung at MADE THE MOVIE premiere / CC BY 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Artists & Groups
Fans Also Ask
What is R&D Company?
R&D Company (알앤디컴퍼니) is a South Korean entertainment agency founded in 2021. The label gained wider industry attention when BIGBANG vocalist Daesung signed with them in April 2023 after departing YG Entertainment, marking the first major label move of Daesung solo career. R&D operates the D-LABEL imprint and manages a diverse roster of artists across K-pop and Korean indie music.
Why did Daesung join R&D Company?
Daesung departed YG Entertainment in April 2023 following the conclusion of his long-term contract, which had been extended multiple times since BIGBANG debut in 2006. He chose R&D Company as a smaller, independent label that would give him greater creative control over his solo career and music direction, without the institutional weight of a major K-pop conglomerate.
What has Daesung released under R&D Company?
Under R&D Company, Daesung released the single Falling Slowly in March 2024 and the EP D's Wave in April 2025. He also completed the D's Road fan meeting tour across Asia in 2024. The releases have been praised for their mature vocal execution and marked Daesung most prolific solo period outside of BIGBANG group activities.
Who else is on R&D Company roster?
R&D Company manages multiple artists alongside Daesung. The label roster includes singer-songwriter Kisum, vocalist KyoungSeo, R&B artist Navi, comedian and entertainer Chun Myung Hoon, and other Korean music acts. The agency positions itself as supporting artists across varied genres, from idol to indie to comedy.
Where does R&D Company operate?
R&D Company is based in South Korea and distributes music under the D-LABEL banner. The agency manages talent across music, variety, and entertainment. Their official social presence is at @rdcompany_official on Instagram and @rdcompany_kr on X (formerly Twitter). Official artist content runs through the @dlabel YouTube channel.
