BLACKPINK singer Jennie and Tame Impala frontman Kevin Parker revealed how their “Dracula” remix emerged from a chance meeting in Seoul and a series of remote recording sessions. In an interview published on October 14, 2026, the musicians discussed their first encounter, the creative process behind the collaboration and the song’s international success.
Released in February 2026, the remix followed the original track from Tame Impala’s 2025 album Deadbeat. The collaboration has since approached one billion global on-demand streams and earned both artists their first top 10 entry on the Billboard Hot 100.
Key Takeaways
- Jennie and Kevin Parker first met through mutual friend Peter Utz at a restaurant bar in Seoul, South Korea.
- Parker invited Jennie to join the “Dracula” remix after expressing his admiration for her voice.
- The musicians recorded remotely through Zoom, with Parker connecting from a hotel in China.
- Released in February 2026, the remix followed the original track from Tame Impala’s album Deadbeat.
- The collaboration has approached one billion global on-demand streams and appeared in approximately 1.3 million TikTok videos.
Jennie and Kevin Parker Discuss Their Musical Collaboration
Jennie and Parker reflected on their collaboration during a conversation for Rolling Stone’s Musicians on Musicians series. The interview took place in Boston ahead of a joint performance at TD Garden, where Jennie joined Tame Impala onstage for the remix.
The discussion explored their different musical backgrounds and how they approached recording together. Jennie has developed a solo career alongside her work with BLACKPINK, releasing her debut studio album Ruby in 2025 and performing at major international festivals.
Her solo appearances included a Lollapalooza headlining performance in Chicago on August 1, 2026, where she became the festival’s first female K-pop solo headliner.
Parker, meanwhile, is known for his work as the creative force behind Tame Impala. His catalog spans psychedelic rock, electronic music and pop, including collaborations with established international performers.
During their conversation, Jennie described her admiration for Parker’s music and the atmosphere his recordings create. Parker also discussed his appreciation for Jennie’s vocals and the opportunity to hear another artist interpret his songwriting.
How Jennie and Kevin Parker First Met in Seoul
The partnership began with an unexpected encounter at an underground restaurant bar in Seoul. Parker recalled meeting Jennie late at night through their mutual friend Peter Utz, who was working in public relations for the fashion house Celine at the time.
Both artists remembered the evening as an informal introduction rather than a planned business meeting.
Parker explained that the possibility of a collaboration developed through a later conversation with Utz. After expressing interest in hearing Jennie’s voice on “Dracula,” Parker learned that their mutual friend could contact her directly.
Jennie received the message shortly afterward and immediately expressed interest in participating.
The singer also recalled telling Parker during their initial meeting that she had admired his music for years and hoped they could work together in a studio.
Their conversation revealed that the remix grew from an existing musical appreciation rather than a collaboration arranged without prior contact between the artists.
Remote Recording Sessions Bring the “Dracula” Remix Together
Although their first meeting occurred in Seoul, Jennie and Parker recorded their contributions to the remix from different locations.
Parker recalled being in China when their scheduled session approached. He returned to his hotel room, opened his laptop and connected remotely with Jennie, who was working in a recording studio.
The musicians used Zoom to coordinate the sessions, allowing Parker to remain involved while Jennie recorded her vocal parts.
Jennie said the experience went smoothly despite their inability to work in the same room. She appreciated that Parker stayed connected throughout the lengthy recording sessions.
The vocal arrangements also presented technical challenges. Parker explained that the song’s chorus contains eight overlapping vocal parts, requiring Jennie to record multiple takes.
Jennie identified singing Parker’s vocal parts alongside her own as one of the more demanding elements of the process. Nevertheless, she described the experience as enjoyable because the material differed from the music she had been releasing independently.
The recording sessions gave both musicians an opportunity to combine their approaches to production and performance while working across different locations.
The Original “Dracula” Track Preceded Jennie’s Remix
The original version of “Dracula” appeared on Tame Impala’s album Deadbeat in 2025. Jennie’s collaborative remix arrived in February 2026, expanding the song beyond its initial release.
The remix introduced Jennie’s vocals into Parker’s existing production, creating a separate version while retaining the original song’s musical identity.
Parker has previously worked with other major pop artists, including Rihanna and Dua Lipa. He contributed to Dua Lipa’s album Radical Optimism, while Rihanna recorded a version of his song “New Person, Same Old Mistakes” for her 2016 album Anti under the title “Same Ol’ Mistakes.”
Connections between pop and K-pop are also reflected in the work of other songwriters. Victoria Monét, whose previous songwriting credits include BLACKPINK, has contributed to projects involving several major pop and R&B performers.
For Jennie, “Dracula” offered a chance to explore material outside her established solo releases. Parker described the appeal of hearing another artist bring a different vocal approach to one of his compositions.
The interview also revealed that Jennie had considered reaching out to Parker while working on Ruby. Although that earlier attempt did not result in a collaboration, their eventual work on “Dracula” created an opportunity to pursue their shared musical interests.
“Dracula” Remix Approaches One Billion Global Streams
The remix has achieved substantial commercial success since its February release.
Rolling Stone reported that the track had accumulated nearly one billion global on-demand streams by October 2026. The collaboration also earned Jennie and Parker their first top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
Short-form video activity contributed to the song’s visibility. According to the same report, the remix has been used in approximately 1.3 million TikTok videos, extending its reach beyond conventional music-streaming platforms.
Jennie described receiving enthusiastic messages from friends as the track gained attention. Although she recognized its popularity, she acknowledged that it was difficult to fully understand how quickly the song had connected with listeners.
Parker said he believed Jennie’s involvement could expand the song’s appeal. The original recording had already attracted listeners, but he anticipated that adding her vocals could introduce it to a wider audience.
Their conversation also addressed the emotional challenges of releasing music. Both artists discussed the pressure associated with presenting new material publicly, even when a project ultimately achieves commercial success.
The success of “Dracula” reflects the combination of Parker’s established songwriting and production with Jennie’s vocal contribution and international audience. Their account provides a clearer understanding of how the collaboration developed before the remix became a major streaming hit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Jennie and Kevin Parker?
Jennie is a South Korean singer, solo artist and member of BLACKPINK. Kevin Parker is an Australian musician, songwriter and producer best known as the creative force behind Tame Impala.
What is the “Dracula” remix featuring Jennie?
The “Dracula” remix is a collaborative version of Tame Impala’s original song featuring Jennie’s vocals. It was released in February 2026 after the original appeared on Tame Impala’s 2025 album Deadbeat.
How did Jennie and Kevin Parker meet?
Jennie and Parker met through mutual friend Peter Utz at an underground restaurant bar in Seoul, South Korea. Their introduction eventually led to Parker inviting Jennie to participate in the “Dracula” remix.
Was the “Dracula” remix recorded remotely?
Yes. Jennie and Parker coordinated recording sessions through Zoom because they were in different locations. Parker connected from a hotel in China while Jennie recorded her vocals in a studio.
How successful has the “Dracula” remix been?
As reported in October 2026, the remix had approached one billion global on-demand streams and earned both artists their first top 10 entry on the Billboard Hot 100. The track was also used in approximately 1.3 million TikTok videos.
