Korean pop sensation SE7EN makes his US debut in The Big Apple

SE7EN is a highly successful singer in Korea. Like all other Asian singers trying to make their mark in the United States, SE7EN is hoping he will lead the “Asian Invasian”. Asiance Interns Yona and Ka ee followed SE7EN on his 3 day trip to the Big Apple this month, encompassing his press conference, appearance on MTV and his Madison Square Concert.

Who is this lucky guy?

SE7EN is a multi-talented R&B artist and currently the most popular male solo artist in Korea. His outstanding vocal abilities, good looks, charismatic stage manner and smooth choreography are of a professional level. He presented his ambition to conquer the American market, a dream never achieved by any Korean artist.

Do you guys know “SE7EN’?

SE7EN is a South Korean pop and R&B singer. He is already a famous singer in Asia, mostly Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, and China.

He began training under the management agency, YG entertainment, at the age of 15. After 4 years of intense training in voice and dance, SE7EN made his debut in 2003 and became an instant hit throughout Asia. He has released a total of 3 albums, various singles and aims to become a world-renowned artist.

Now, he makes his first debut in the United States. SE7EN announced his American debut during a press conference at the New York ImaginAsian TV Theater. His single, which will be finished at the end of the month, will be sold early next year.

Rich Harrison, the famous producer who worked with such famous artists as Usher, Tony Blackstone, Janet Jackson and TLC, will be SE7EN’s producer.

His agency known as the YG Family visited the United States on the “YG Family 10th Anniversary World Tour Concert.” Not only did it include SE7EN but it also included other famous Korean singers, such as Big Mama, Gummy, 1tym, and Jinusean. The concerts were held in major cities (New York, Los Angeles, Washington DC) in the U.S. to celebrate their 10th Anniversary.

#1. ImaginAsian TV Press Conference

YG Entertainment held a press conference on Monday, October 16th, at The ImaginAsian TV theatre to announce SE7EN's American career launch.

At the SE7EN Press Conference, a member of YG Entertainment, Hip-hop duo Jinusean and SE7EN had a big announcement to make about their project.

Here are some of the questions we asked with translator in tow.

ASIANCE: What kind of expectations do you have for this show (Madison Square Garden)?

Jinusean: We always thought, “What could we do for the Korean community and all the Asian people.” We’ve prepared about 1 year for this show and we hope that many fans that will come to concert will come and enjoy feeling satisfied.

ASIANCE: Tell us about SE7EN entering the America market and starting his career in the U.S.

SE7EN: My single, which will be finished recording at the end of the month in America, will be released early next year in U.S. I will be releasing a new album in U.S by Mark Shimmel who is a representative of LaFace Entertainment. He will take care my new album promotion and produce this album. Rich Harrison also will participate in producing my new album. Rich Harrison received a Grammy Award in 2004 for Best Producer and wrote the song for Beyonce Knowles “Crazy in Love.”

ASIANCE: You are the most popular male solo artist in Korea. Do you think that is what merits you to make a difference from other artists here?

SE7EN: I always pursue to make a perfect stage performance. Plus as my music, I really work hard for how music is created, like perfect music which is everyone is getting into my music, moving them to sympathize. I believe that Music is one of the most cosmopolitan arts and a universal language. I just always struggle to offer amazing music for fans who gather to listen to my music.

ASIANCE: How are you feeling? And what is your ambition for this project?

SE7EN: I am really excited about this project. I am really fond of R&B and Hip-hop and want to create my color and own character here rather than following any other one. Since I became a singer, I always dreamed that I would have a concert in U.S which is the place of origin of R&B. I think, here, I mean U.S, is a real cultural center for music lovers. And I’m so glad to work with American top artists and hopefully everything is going well.

ASIANCE: Do you have any problem with English?

SE7EN: These days I am studying English to express myself better in English, but I have no problem in understanding meaning of words. I think I have almost perfect Japanese after about 1 year a half so I am very confident to catch up learning English quickly. I feel that learning and speaking English fluently is very important to express myself. I think I should practice hard as I can do.

ASIANCE: Rain is the 1st Korean artist who entered into the U.S market and had a concert at the Theater at Madison Square Garden last year. You're often compared to him. When Rain had a press conference, he said that his non-eyelid could get attention and stir interest about him for America. How about you?

SE7EN: I think Rain is very talented artist who got outstanding vocal abilities, and good looks, charismatic stage manners and he and I often have been compared in Korea. So far, we both are doing well now and we think we just compete with each other. I knew that many Asian American women feel attracted to Asian men like Rain, me. Ya, I agree that they will, because I’m a typical Asian but I’d like say that he and I have a different character, color of music so I hope that fans just feel me, my music and my performance.

ASIANCE: What do you feel is the main difference between the Asian audiences and American audiences?

SE7EN: Not really, I mean, I don’t think there is a big difference between them. I find both audiences to be enthusiastic and loyal audiences. American audiences prefer to like to get up and party. I guess they love more powerful and gorgeous stage.

ASIANCE: Tell Asiance Magazine, what is your ideal type of woman?

SE7EN: Honestly, when I meet women first time, I like their look. I love the woman who has pretty eyes and looks so hot, but that mean is not that I judge people by the way they look. It’s just my hope.

#2. Performance on MTV K

On October 17th, SE7EN and YG Family blew up the MTV studios in Times Square. They received a lot of love and respect from the crowd – ” especially the girls. All around, the female audience members screamed out.

SE7EN was singing his songs and dancing with powerful back-up dancers. His energetic performance was a success. SE7EN & the YG Family spoke to SuChin Pak, MTV VJ, about their US dream and some fans got a chance to talk with SE7EN.

When a female fan asked him what the difference was between performing in the States and in Asia, he jokingly replied that there is no difference because the sounds of girls screaming are all the same. That performance will broadcast at the end of November in the entire US. Check MTVK.com for more details.

#3. New York City Concert

YG Entertainment celebrated its 10th anniversary with a 3-hour concert featuring its top R&B and hip-hop artists at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Oct 19th.

Hip-hop duo Jinusean opened the show with an energetic performance of their hit song, One. After Jinusean, the other stars 1TYM, Gummy, Big Mama, Lexy and Stony Skunk came on stage to sing their debut hits.

Madison Square Garden was so crowded. The audience consisted of many Koreans, some Japanese, Chinese and various journalists.

Sean, a member of Jinusean, said the concert is one big party for all the fans who have supported the artists for the past decade.

Lexy got the crowd on its feet with her powerful dance songs such as “Let Me Dance,'' and “Girls.'

Jinusean turned the concert into a high-powered showcase of their hip-hop songs. Also impressing the crowd with their vocal power were R&B singer Gummy and female vocal quartet Big Mama. SE7EN elicited the loudest cheers from the crowd. He performed his hit songs “Passion,” “Nan Arayo (I Know)” and a song by former YG artist Big Mama. 1TYM, literally raised the hall’s temperatures with their song “Hot.” Also new group Big Bang showed they have what it takes to become the next big boy band.

We were extremely excited to see all the YG artists perform at the concert. One audience member we spoke with flew to NY just to watch the concert. “The concert got me crazy. It was unbelievable. There were so many good parts in the concert, it surpassed my expectations,” she said.

On the other hand, SE7EN met Mark Shimmel after the concert and talked about his performance and ability. Mark Shimmel praised SE7EN. He told SE7EN, “I took a close look at your performance. I’m sure you’ll be a success in the U.S market. You are so talented at both dancing and singing.”

While we had such a wonderful time with SE7EN, we can only imagine what we will see and what he can show us. His ability needs to be proven in the United States.

Whenever we saw him, he was very confident, even though he is young. We think he is probably ready to go!! We could tell he has already been preparing for this. We just hope he will be able to reach the peak of his career.

Good luck SE7EN!!

Some more information on SE7EN

Korean Discography

Volume 1 | Just Listen (2003.03.08)

Volume 2 | Must Listen (2004.07.07)

Volume 3 | 24/SE7EN (2006.03.08)

Korean Singles

-Come Back To Me

-One More Time (?? ? ?? )

-Baby I Like You Like That -Tattoo (??)

-Passion (??)

-Crazy – (2004.12.01)

– 1st Commercial Korean Single, digital download only

-I Know (featuring Teddy) (? ???)

-Come Back To Me – Part 2 (?? – Part 2)

-All Night (???? )

Japanese Discography

First SE7EN (2006.03.08)

Japanese Singles

Hikari (2005.02.23)

Style (2005.05.18)

Start Line / Forever (double A-side single) (2005.10.19 )

I want to… (2006.9.13)

The main (primary) Awards

2003 November 27: M.net Music Video Festival New male Artist Music Video Award

2003 December 5: The 18th Golden Disc New Artist Award

2003 December 10 : KMTV Korean Music Awards New Male Vocalist Award

2003 December 12 : Seoul Music Awards New Artist Award

2004 December 2 : The 19th Golden Disc Main Award + Popular Music Video Award

2004 December 4 : M.net & KM Music Video Festival Male Solo Vocalist Award

2005 May 28 : Channel V Thailand Awards Asian Sensation Award

2006 January 14 : 2005 China Original Music Ranking Chart SPRITE Awards Best Artist in Asia

2006 March 9 : 2005 Japan Golden Disc Special Award

2006 May 6 : MTV Asia Awards – MAA 2006 Favorite Artist Korea 2006 May 27 : MTV Video Music Awards Japan – VMAJ 2006 Best Buzz Asia from Korea

Check here for his tour schedule www.Myspace.com/officialse7en

Ka ee Yun was born and raised in Seoul, Korea. She’s been influenced by her parents who love writing and literature. She has enjoyed writing and reading from her childhood. She majored in Korean Literature at her University and is studying English in New York City.

Yoona is an extremely curious and open-minded person, though, paradoxically, a bit cynical! She lives with a roommate in New York City, after living in Florida for five months. Yoona grew up in Seoul, Korea which nurtured her love for the outdoors. One of her favorite things is to take walks, simply wander and observe!