Seo Tai-ji
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| Seo Taiji (서태지) | |
|---|---|
 (left–right) Yang Hyeon-seok, Seo Tai-ji, and Lee Ju-no in 1995
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | 정현철, 鄭鉉哲 (Jeong Hyeon-cheol) |
| Also known as | Taiji |
| Born | February 21, 1972 |
| Origin | Seoul, Korea |
| Genre(s) | K-Rock, Heavy Metal, Hip hop, Rapcore |
| Years active | 1990–1996 1998–Present |
| Label(s) | Seo Tae Ji Company |
| Website | http://www.seotaiji.com/ |
| Members | |
| Rock, Top, Sang Uk (Monkey), Heff Holter | |
Seo Tai-ji (Jeong Hyeon-cheol 정현철(Hanja: 鄭鉉哲) , born on February 21, 1972) is a South Korean singer and musician. He is one of the most prominent and influential cultural icons in Korea. The level of his popularity in Korea during the 1990s was comparable to that of Michael Jackson in the mid-1980s.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
[edit] The early years
At the age of 15, after quitting 10th grade, after getting bad grades because of his obsession of music, and after a month of begging on his knees to his father to drop out of high school so that he could pursue his music career, 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).
[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), which means "Anyhow Song", combined heavy metal sounds with traditional sounds of the taepyeongso, a traditional Korean wind instrument.
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. Taiji said that when he listened to the parts of the songs that were seen as satanist messages in reverse, he noticed that the supposedly satanist messages were only little similar to what some people designated it as.
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 Performance Ethics Committee(한국공연윤리위원회, present is '한국영상물관리위원회'[Korean Video Management Committee]) for having lyrics that were considered not appropriate to the young listeners (at this moment, his fans were working hard to abolish the 'System of precensorship'(사전심의제), so this system was abolished on July 1996.)
[edit] Seo Tai-ji Goes Solo
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 was a huge success; he sold more than a million copies.
In 2000, Tai-ji exploded with his another 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.
Early November 2007, Seo Taiji announced that he will release a commemorative 10 disk (7CD/3DVD) 15th anniversary limited edition album on the date of his first debut(11/29). The number of albums being sold is said to be 15000 exact(15 being a special number as it’s the 15th anniversary). However, the first 15 have been reserved for people at Seo Taiji’s company, so sales will start from #16. Additionally, some of the other numbers are considered extra-special, i.e. 221 because February 21 is Seo Taiji’s birthday. This exclusive album sparked massive pre-orders, and the album is said to have been sold out in one minute after online reservation was available. This special release is considered a lead up to his next much anticipated album which will be released in 2008.
According to the YeDang Entertainment, SeoTaiJi's 8th album might be released in 2008.
[edit] Seotaiji Band
Although Taiji's career is strictly "solo", these people consistently play with him during tours, studio recordings, and music videos:
- Top (guitar) for SeoTaiJi's 6th~7th album
- Rock (guitar) for SeoTaiJi's 6th~7th album
- Sang Uk (Monkey) (bass) for SeoTaiJi's 6th~7th album
- Heff "The Machine" Holter (drums) for SeoTaiJi's 6th~7th album
The members for SeoTaiJi's 8th album hasn't been decided yet.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums (Seo Tai-ji and Boys)
Product Title : Seo Tai Ji & Boys Vol. 1 - I Know!
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 Though Tonight Growing Late)
6. Nae Modungut (내 모든것 My Everything)
7. Eejehnun (이제는 Now)
8. Blind Love - "Nan Arayo! English Version"
9. Rock'n Roll Dance
10. Missing
Product Title : Seo Tai Ji & Boys Vol. 2
Release Date : August, 1994
1. Yo! Taiji
2. Hayeoga (하여가 何如歌 Anyhow Song)
3. Wooridulmanei Chuok (우리들만의 추억 Our Own Memories)
4. Joogeumui Neup (죽음의 늪 Swamp of Death)
5. Neoehge (너에게 TO YOU)
6. Susiah (수시아 Who Am I)
7. Majimak Chukje (마지막 축제 Last Feast)
8. Wooridulmanei Chuok (우리들만의 추억 Our Own Memories) [Instrumental]
Product Title : Seo Tai Ji & Boys Vol. 3 - Dreaming Bal Hae
Release Date : August, 1994
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)
6. Jechyllbaksa wa Hyde (지킬박사와 하이드 Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde)
7. Youngwon (영원 Eternity)
8. Barhaereul Ggoomggoomyuh (발해를 꿈꾸며 Dreaming Of Bal-hae) [Instrumental]
9. Neol jiuryu Hae (널 지우려해 I'm Gonna Try To Erase You)
Product Title : Seo Tai Ji & Boys Vol. 4 - Come Back Home
Release Date : Octorber , 1995
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)
- Seo Tai Ji (1998) - his first solo work. This album includes Heavy Metal, Nu Metal songs, but the main genre is Alternative Rock
- Ultramania(울트라맨이야) (2000) - his second solo studio album. This album shows Tai-ji's favor in Nu Metal
- 태지의 話 [Live concert album] (2000)
- 6th Album Re-Recording and ETPFEST Live (2003)[1]
- Live Wire (2004) - 3rd solo album.[2]
- Seo Taiji Live Tour ZERO 04 (2004)
- [&]15th anniversary album - remastered all songs from 'Seo Tai-ji & Boys' albums, live albums, solo albums,and remix songs are included. (2007)
- upcoming 8th studio album - will be issued in 2008.
[edit] Singles
- Feel The Soul (2001)(Released in Japan)
[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 (Tai-ji Speaks) [Live concert album] (2000)
- 6th Album Re-Recording and ETPFEST Live (2003)
- Seo Taiji Live Tour ZERO 04 (2004)
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- withtaiji.com - the top fan site of unofficial
- Seotaiji.com - official site
- Unofficial MySpace page
- Taiji History - unofficial fan site in English, Korean and Chinese
