Korean rapper BIG Naughty collaborated with Japanese pop star imase to release a remix version of the J-pop singer's megahit dance track "Night Dancer."

The remix comes a month after imase held his first showcase in Korea on April 13 when he named the rapper as the Korean artist he would most like to collaborate with given the chance, calling him "an artist who does cool music."

"I am happy to be able to BIG Naughty, an artist whose music I like and listen to often," imase said in a press release on Monday. "It was fun to find a melody that suits the linguistic characteristics of both Korean and Japanese [...] I hope this remix is spread not only to Korea and Japan but all over the world."

BIG Naughty replied, also in a press release, "I am honored to carry both our languages in one song. I am happy to gain a cool Japanese artist as a friend. I wish to take part in a dance challenge together."

imase debuted in 2021 with his single "have a good day," only a year after learning to write and compose music, according to Universal Music. His blowout success with "Night Dancer" only a year later, which won him the nickname "monster rookie."

BIG Naughty debuted in 2019 after competing and scoring high in the eighth season of cable channel Mnet's hip-hop audition program "Show Me The Money." He is well known for his "singing rap" style where he combines hip-hop with elements of R&B and dance music into his works.

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]