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Seo Taiji: Wiki, Career, Awards, 7 Fun Facts & More

Biography of Seo Taiji

Jeong Hyeon-cheol is a legendary artist from South Korea who is popularly known as ‘Seo Taiji’ or ‘Seo Tae-ji’. He is a famous and well-known South Korean singer, musician, songwriter and record producer. Seo is a living legend and a cultural icon of K-pop who laid the foundation for the modern Korean music industry.

Seo, along with Yang Hyun-seok and Lee Juno, introduced a new genre of music by blending Western pop and hip-hop genres. Seo is known by the title name Culture President for establishing a new seed of music in the South Korean music industry. ‘Seo Taiji and Boys’, the trio bands members include Yang Hyun-suk and Lee Juno who changed the course of the South Korean music industry by fusing hip-hop and breakdance when trot and ballads were the popular trendsetters back in South Korea.

Seo began his music pursuits at the age of 17 by being a part of the heavy metal band ‘Sinawe’. In 1992, he formed a trio band with members Yang Hyun-suk and Lee Juno with their official debut ‘I Know’ on March 23, 1992. The trio stole the spotlight with their new music genre which inspired and influenced the new generation of the 90s. They also brought to light the social changes through their songs challenging the existing social norms and standards. Seo set the stage for free expression in Korean pop music culture.

Early Life and Education

Seo Taiji was born on February 21, 1972, in Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea. Seo is a dropout of high school and wanted to pursue a career in the music industry. Much about his early life is not known to the public and media as Seo keeps his personal life private.

Career

Jeong Hyeon-cheol had a passion for music from a very young age. Even in his youthful days, he was a part of several rock bands. At 17, he adopted the stage name Seo Taiji and was a member of the heavy metal band ‘Sinawe’ as a bass guitarist. ‘Seo Taiji and Boys’ were a pioneering band in South Korea with other members of the band including Yang Hyun-suk and Lee Juno. The trio of the band introduced the new modern style by blending different styles of music.

kdramalive seo taiji
Credit: Pinterest

After the disbanding of the ‘Seo Taiji and Boys’, Seo was back on the trails as a successful musician and a soloist. In 1998, Seo released an album with a couple of music videos. Without any promotions, Seo released the debut studio album ‘Seo Tai ji’, making it one of the best-selling albums in South Korea with 1.3 million units sold. Seo’s chief style of music is alternative rock, even though at times he incorporates heavy metal and nu-metal songs.

Seo disappeared for 4 years from the music industry and resumed his career in 2000. On 8 September 2000, Seo released his second studio album ‘Ultramania’ with one single ‘Ultramania’ and two songs titled ‘Feel the Soul’ and ‘Internet War’. The album was one of the best-selling albums in South Korea with a million copies sold. The song ‘Ultramania’ won the Mnet Asian Music Award for Best Band Performance. His solo acts were being a spotlight thus affecting other South Korean boy bands shrinking their popularity. For the success of the first ETPFEST in 2001, Seo was gifted with X-Japan’s Fernandes MG-360S guitar.

Seo released his third solo album ‘7th Issue’. The album had a high audience reception and Seo used a dropped C tune for his music making his fans name it ‘punk rock’. Each of his songs addressed particular social issues faced by humans. He was a top popular musician for more than a decade experimenting with new musical styles. He was active till 2005 and disappeared out of the blue.

Seo marked his comeback with his single ‘Moai’ released in 2008. In 2009 Seo Taiji released a digital single ‘Bermuda Triangle’. The same year Seo released his electronic rock pop ‘8th Atomos Part Secret’ on March 10. Through his single ‘Moai’, Seo introduced a new innovative style called ‘nature pound’. Seo got his inspiration for the single from the mystifying statues of Easter Island, Chile. In 2008, Seo performed with popular bands like ‘The Used’, ‘Dragon Ash’, ‘Death Cab for Cutie’ and ‘Marilyn Manson’ for the ETPFEST.

Seo performed ‘The Great Seotaiji Symphony’ with Tolga Kashif, (British-born musical conductor, composer, orchestrator and producer) and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra by combining rock and classical music. The main concert was held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium and later the same performance was delivered to the Jamsil Gymnasium indoor venue.

Seo released his second single titled ‘Atomos Part Secret’ on 10 March  2009. Seo’s 15th anniversary was celebrated with the release of a limited edition of his songs, which was re-recorded and re-mastered. Since his fans did not have access to his limited edition, Seo decided to release it. Seo released ‘Seo Taiji and Boys’ albums and also ‘Nan Arayo!’ To ‘7th Issue’. Seo conducted the nationwide tour titled ‘The Möbius’ and a concert in Seoul, Korea.

In October 2013, Seo released his new album ‘Sogyeokdong’. The single was released in two parts, the first part was a collaboration with IU and the second part was released on 10 October  2013. Seo released his ninth studio album ‘Quiet Night’ on 20 October 2014. Billboard magazine listed ‘Sogyeokdong’ as the Best K-pop Song of 2014.

kdramalive seo taiji
Credit: Pinterest

To celebrate his 25th anniversary, Seo collaborated with popular K-pop artists and singers. The first project was recorded by BTS for the cover ‘Come Back Home’ on July 5, 2017, and the second project was performed by Urban Zakapa for the cover song ‘Moai’.

Achievements

Seo Taiji laid the foundation for the modern Korean music industry. Even though he disappeared in between, his comeback was marked by great success with new experimental styles. Here are some of his notable achievements:

  • Seo was awarded Best Rock Performance at Mnet Asian Music, 2000 for ‘Ultramania’.
  • Seo was awarded Best Rock Performance at Mnet Asian Music Award, 2004 for ‘Live Wire’.
  • Seo was nominated for Best Male Artist at Mnet Asian Music, in 2008.
  • Seo was nominated for Best Rock Performance and Best Music Video at Mnet Music, in 2009 for his work Juliet.

Military Life

Seo Taiji was exempted from military service. The exact reasons are unknown and are not revealed to the public. According to multiple reports, Seo failed to meet the educational requirements and he has a perforated stomach.

Personal Life

Different media reported and confirmed on 21 April 2011, about the secret marriage between actress Lee Ji-ah and Seo Taiji. Their secret marriage was for a period from 12 October 1997, to 9 August 2006. Seo and Lee Ji-ah met in 1993 and got married in 1997, lived most of their lives in Atlanta and Arizona. As for the differences in their ideologies and lifestyles, Lee filed for a divorce in 2006. In July 2011, after six months of legal battle, the case and the division of assets was settled.

Seo married South Korean actress Lee Eun-sung on 26 June 2013, who made her acting debut through the youth drama ‘Sharp’. The marriage took place at Pyeongchang-dong in northern Seoul with only a limited number of families and guests. Seo and Lee Eun-sung met for the first time in the music video ‘Bermuda Triangle’ and started their dating journey in 2009. Seo and Lee Eun-sung have a daughter, who was born on 27 August 2014.

kdramalive seo taiji
Credit: Pinterest

Net Worth and Lifestyle

Seo Taiji’s approximate net worth is estimated to be around $30 million to $40 million US dollars.

Establishing himself as an iconic legendary figure, Seo Taiji lives a luxurious lifestyle and has multiple expensive cars and deluxe apartments. Seo Taiji is ranked in the top real estate chart of the purchases he made in 2002 in Nonhyeon-dong, Seoul. Seo owns the most expensive building in Gangnam, in the most expensive neighbourhoods in Seoul. From 1992 to 1995, the trio band, ‘Seo Taiji and the Boys’ sold over 7 million copies of their albums. From 1998 to 2000, a million copies of solo albums by Seo were sold, which gained him a sizable profit.

Awards

  • Mnet Asian Music Awards 2008
    Best Male Artist (2008)
  • Mnet Asian Music Awards 2004
    Best Rock Video (Live Wire) (2004)
  • Mnet Asian Music Awards 2000
    Best Male Artist (Ultramania) (2000)

Interesting Facts About Seo Taiji

  1. Seo Taiji can play several musical instruments.
  2. Seo Taiji is also called the ‘President’ of culture.
  3. Seo Taiji is the founder of Seo Taiji and Boys, a trio band with members Yang Hyun-suk and Lee Juno.
  4. Seo Taiji and Boys won the Grand Prize at Seoul Muisc Awards in 1992 as well as in 1993.
  5. Seo Taiji is a prominent and famous cultural icon in South Korea.
  6. Seo’s personal life is never disclosed to the public.
  7. Seo adopted the stage name ‘Seo Taiji’ at the age of 17.

FAQs

  1. How old is Seo Taiji?
    Seo Taiji is 51 years old.
  2. Who was Seo Taiji’s first wife?
    Seo Taiji married Lee Ji-ah in 1997.
  3. When is Seo Taiji’s birthday?
    February 21, 1972.
  4. Why did Seo Taiji and the Boys disband?
    Seo Taiji and Boys band disbanded because of conflicts of opinion between the band members.
  5. What is the name of his YouTube channel?
    seotaiji is the name of his YouTube channel.

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