Seo Tai-ji

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Seo Taiji (서태지)
Seo Taiji during an aired TV interview
Seo Taiji during an aired TV interview
Background information
Birth name 정현철, 鄭鉉哲 (Jeong Hyeon-cheol)
Also known as Taiji
Born February 21, 1972
Origin Seoul, Korea
Genre(s) KRock, Heavy Metal, Hip hop, Rapcore
Years active 1991–Present
Label(s) Seo Tae Ji Company
Website http://www.seotaiji.com/
Members
Rock, Top, Sang Uk (Monkey), Heff Holter
Former members
Lee Ju-no, Yang Hyeon-seok

Seo Tai-ji (also spelled Seo Tae-ji, born Jeong Hyeon-cheol 정현철 on February 21, 1972) is a South Korean singer and musician. As a cultural comparison, Tai-ji's levels of popularity in Korea is analogous to the popularity of Michael Jackson in the mid-1980s.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] The early years

At the age of 14, Jung Hyun-Chul (Tai-ji) participated in several amateur rock bands. In 1990, at the age of 17, he was recruited into the metal band Sinawe (시나위 pronounced shee-nah-wee). Taiji chose to drop out of school, a system that he felt did nothing but corrupt the minds of youth, and became a professional musician.

[edit] 'Seo Tai-ji & Boys' Explode

After the break up of Sinawe in 1991, Tai-ji switched gears and formed the dance group Seo Tai-ji & Boys (서태지와 아이들) with dancers Lee Ju-no (이주노) and Yang Hyeon-seok (양현석).

The introduction of the first Seo Tai-ji and Boys album announced a complete shift in the focus of popular Korean music that is still felt today. Their first single, "Nan Arayo" (난 알아요, "I Know") was a hugely successful hit, being one of the first songs in K-Pop to meld contemporary dance sounds with urban-influenced rap lyrics.

The sound of Seo Tai-ji and Boys' albums was constantly evolving. The first album was very dance-oriented, while the second album began to display more hard rock and heavy metal influences, but still remaining mostly a dance album. The first single from their second album, "Hayeoga" (하여가), combined heavy metal sounds with traditional sounds of the taepyeongso, a traditional Korean wind instrument.

Watch Out video, Left to right: Rock (offscreen), Sang Uk, Heff (background), Seo Taiji, Top
Watch Out video, Left to right: Rock (offscreen), Sang Uk, Heff (background), Seo Taiji, Top

The third album switched gears to being much more heavy metal and rock driven. The danceable tunes are nearly non-existent. Instead, songs such as the extremely controversial Gyosil Idea (교실 이데아, Classroom Idea) with an impressive death grunt backvocal by Ahn Heung-Chan (안흥찬) of Crash took center stage. Gyosil Idea was extremely critical of the Korean education system and its brainwashing of the youth of Korea. Accusations began to fly about Seo Tai-ji and Boys. They were accused of backwards masking Satanist messages in their songs.

Not backing down, Seo Tai-ji and Boys' fourth album exploded with more controversial songs. Come Back Home was a foray into Korean gangster rap. Shidaeyugam (시대유감, "Regret of the Times") was nearly banned by the Korean Broadcasting Ethics Committee as having lyrics that were considered not appropriate to the young listeners.

[edit] Seo Tai-ji Goes Solo

Livewire 2004, Taiji performing "Heffy End"
Livewire 2004, Taiji performing "Heffy End"

Seo Tai-ji and Boys broke up in 1996 after four wildly successful studio and two hugely popular live albums. Tai-ji disappeared from the music scene for the next two years, moving to New York City, living a low profile life, and working on his come-back.

In 1998, Tai-ji returned to the music scene with his first solo album, Seo Tai-ji. His self-produced album continued with his long established sound of mixing contemporary American rock and pop music with Korean vocals. His comeback album, while not a huge success, put him back onto the path of greatness.

In 2000, Tai-ji exploded with his hugely popular sixth album, Ultramania (울트라맨이야). With his new band, he blasts out an album with hardcore, crashing metal tracks. "Ultramania (울트라맨이야)," "Internet War (인터넷 전쟁)," and "Tank" were all huge successes. With the release of his new album, Tai-ji embarked on his first Korean tour since 1996 playing to sold out crowds.

Ultramania was re-released in 2002 with remastered tracks and featured live Tai-ji tracks from the 2002 ETPFEST.

In early 2004, after almost four years, Tai-ji's first all new album, 7th Issue, was released.

[edit] Seotaiji Band

Seo Taiji band (counter-clockwise): Seo Taiji, Monkey, Top, Heff, Rock
Seo Taiji band (counter-clockwise): Seo Taiji, Monkey, Top, Heff, Rock

Although Taiji's career is strictly "solo", these people consistently play with him during tours, studio recordings, and music videos:

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums (Seo Tai-ji and Boys)


Product Title : Seo Tai Ji & Boys Vol. 1 - I Know!
Singer Name(s) : Seo Tai Ji & Boys
Language : Korean
Package Weight : 110 g
Publisher : Bando Records

[SIDE A]
1. Yo! Taiji
2. Nan Arayo! (난 알아요 I Know!)
3. Hwansangsoke Kude (환상속의 그대 You, in the illusion / You, in the Fantasy)
4. Nowa hamkehan sigan sogeso (너와 함께한 시간 속에서 In The Time Spent With You)
5. 'E' Bami Kippo Kajiman (이밤이 깊어 가지만 Through Tonight Growing Late)
[SIDE B]
1. Nae Modungut (내 모든것 My Everything)
2. Eejehnun (이제는 Now)
3. Blind Love - "Nan Arayo! English Version"
4. Rock'n Roll Dance
5. Missing

Product Title : Seo Tai Ji & Boys Vol. 2
Singer Name(s) : Seo Tai Ji & Boys
Release Date : August, 1994
Language : Korean
Package Weight : 100 g
Publisher : Bando Records

[SIDE A]
1. Yo! Taiji
2. Hayeoga
3. Wooridulmanei Chuok (우리들만의 추억 Our Own Memories)
4. Joogeumui Neup (죽음의 늪 Swamp of Death)
[SIDE B]
1. Neoehge (너에게 TO YOU)
2. Susiah
3. Majimak Chukje (마지막 축제 Last Feast)
4. Wooridulmanei Chuok (우리들만의 추억 Our Own Memories) [Instrumental]

Product Title : Seo Tai Ji & Boys Vol. 3 - Dreaming Bal Hae
Singer Name(s) : Seo Tai Ji & Boys
Release Date : August, 1994
Language : Korean
Package Weight : 100 g
Publisher : Bando Records

[SIDE A]
1. Yo! Taiji
2. Barhaereul Ggoomggoomyuh (발해를 꿈꾸며 Dreaming Of Bal-hae)
3. Ahyeedeuleh nooneuro (아이들의 눈으로 Through Eyes of Children)
4. Gyosil Idea (교실 이데아 Classroom Idea)
5. Nae Mamiya (내 맘이야 It's All Up To Me)
[Side B]
1. Jechyllbaksa wa Hyde (지킬박사와 하이드 Dr. Jechyll & Mr. Hyde)
2. Youngwon (영원 Eternity)
3. Barhaereul Ggoomggoomyuh (발해를 꿈꾸며 Dreaming Of Bal-hae) [Instrumental]
4. Neol jiuryu Hae (널 지우려해 I'm Gonna Try To Erase You)


Produced by Taiji
Recording studio : Conway Recording Studio (LA)
All Engineer : Jason Robert

Product Title : Seo Tai Ji & Boys Vol. 4 - Come Back Home
Singer Name(s) : Seo Tai Ji & Boys
Release Date : Octorber , 1996
Language : Korean
Package Weight : 100 g
Publisher : Bando Records


[SIDE A]
1. Yo! Taiji
2. Seulpeun apeum (슬픈 아픔 Sorrowful Pain)
3. Pilseung (필승 Sure win)
4. Come Back Home
5. Shidaeyugam (시대유감 Regret of the Times) [Instrumental]


[SIDE B]
1. (1996, When They Conquer the World)
2. Taijiboys!
3. Good-bye
4. Free Style
5. Innerbeelistenervy


Executive Producer / Taiji
Producer / Taiji Co. Producer / Kook Kim
All Songs written / Taiji (Free Style : Taiji & Kim Jong Seo) STAFF :
Recording engineer / Jason Roberts, Kook Kim, Taiji
Assistants engineer / Michael Scotella
at Ocean Way Studio Lamont Hyde at Larrabee Studio
Mixing engineer / Jason Roberts
('GOOD BYE' /John Ven Nest 'TAIJI BOYS' 'inervylisnervy' / Kook Kim, Taiji)
Mastering engineer / Jason Arnold, Kim ho jung
Recording Studio / Ocean Way Studio in LA Bay Studio
in Seoul Techno Taiji Studio in Seoul
Mixing Studio / Larrabee Studio in LA Image Studio in LA
Mastering Studio / Capital Record Tower Mastering in LA,
Sound Vision in Seoul

[edit] Albums (Solo)

[edit] Singles

  • Feel The Soul (2001)

[edit] Videos

  • 2004 SEO TAIJI Record of the 7th (2005)
  • The Shedding Bird: Seo Taiji Company DVD+Art book (2005)
  • Seo Taiji Live Tour ZERO 04 DVD+Art book (2004)

[edit] Live Releases

  • 태지의 話 [Live concert album] (2000)
  • Seo Taiji Live Tour ZERO 04 (2004)

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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