Seo Taiji facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Seo Taiji
서태지
Seo Taiji on October 20, 2014
Born	Jeong Hyeon-cheol (1972-02-21) February 21, 1972 (age 53) Seoul, South Korea
Occupation	Singer-songwriter musician record producer
Years active	1989–1996 1998–present
Spouse(s)	Lee Ji-ah ​ ​ (m. 1997; div. 2006)​ Lee Eun-sung ​ (m. 2013)​
Children	1
Musical career
Genres	Pop nu metal alternative rock rap rock hip hop new jack swing
Instruments	Vocals guitar bass guitar
Labels	Seo Taiji Company Bando Eumban
Korean name
Hangul	정현철
Hanja	鄭鉉哲
RR	Jeong Hyeoncheol
MR	Chŏng Hyŏnch'ŏl
Stage name
Hangul	서태지
Hanja	徐太志
RR	Seo Taeji
MR	Sŏ T'aeji

Jeong Hyeon-cheol (born February 21, 1972), known by his stage name Seo Taiji, is a famous South Korean singer, musician, and songwriter. He is a very important figure in Korean music and is often called "the President of Culture" because of his huge influence.

He left high school to follow his dream of making music. He first played in a heavy metal band called Sinawe. Later, he formed the group Seo Taiji and Boys in 1991, which became incredibly popular. The group's music, dancing, and fashion were new and exciting for young people in South Korea.

Seo Taiji's songs often talked about social issues that were important to the youth. He wrote about the stress of the Korean school system and the frustrations of young people. Because of this, his music helped lead to more freedom of expression in Korean pop music. After the group broke up in 1996, Seo Taiji started a successful solo career.

Biography

Early Music Career

Jeong Hyeon-cheol loved music from a young age. When he was 14, he played in several amateur rock bands. At 17, he chose the stage name "Seo Taiji" and joined the heavy metal band Sinawe as a bass guitarist. He decided to leave school because he believed it was more important to focus on his music career.

Seo Taiji and Boys (1992–1996)

Seo Taiji and Boys was a groundbreaking South Korean group. The other members were Yang Hyun-suk and Lee Juno, but Seo Taiji was the leader and main songwriter. He was known for mixing many different styles of music together.

The group's music was very different from the traditional "trot" music that was popular in Korea at the time. Their fresh sound and style made them one of the first modern superstar groups in the South Korean music industry.

Solo Career (1998–Present)

1998: First Solo Album

Two years after Seo Taiji and Boys ended, Seo Taiji returned to music as a solo artist. He wanted to go back to his rock music roots. In 1998, he released his first solo album, Seo Tai Ji.

Even though he did no promotion in South Korea, the album sold over a million copies. It featured heavy metal and nu metal songs, but its main style was alternative rock. Fans often call this his 5th album, continuing from his band's four albums.

2000–2004: Ultramania and 7th Issue

Seo in a promotional poster from 2000

In 2000, Seo Taiji returned to South Korea after being away for four years. Thousands of fans and reporters gathered at the airport to see him. He released the album Ultramania, which had a very heavy nu metal and hardcore punk sound. His songs "Internet War" and "Ultramania" were huge hits.

In 2004, he released his third solo album, 7th Issue. It continued his nu metal style. Many of the songs were recorded in a special guitar tuning called dropped C, which made the album sound connected, like one long song. The album's catchy rock sound was very popular.

His songs on this album talked about important topics. "F.M.Business" criticized the music industry, while "Victim" dealt with serious social issues. The album sold half a million copies, making it the best-selling record in South Korea in 2004. After 2005, he took another break from the public eye.

2008–2009: 8th Atomos

Seo Taiji returned in 2008 with a new single called "Moai." This was the first part of a three-part project. For this music, he created a new experimental style he called "nature pound." The song was inspired by the giant stone statues on Easter Island.

He also held a special concert called "The Great Seotaiji Symphony." He performed his old and new songs with the famous Royal Philharmonic Orchestra from London. This combined rock music with classical music in a new way.

In 2009, he released the second part of his project, Atomos Part Secret. He also went on a nationwide tour called "The Möbius."

2014–Present: Quiet Night and 25th Anniversary

Seo on the day Quiet Night was released

In 2014, Seo Taiji released a new album called Quiet Night. The first single, "Sogyeokdong," was released in two parts. The first part was a collaboration with the singer IU.

In 2017, to celebrate his 25th anniversary in music, Seo Taiji started a special project. He invited modern K-Pop artists to cover his classic songs. The popular group BTS recorded a new version of his hit "Come Back Home." Other artists like Urban Zakapa and Younha also participated.

Personal Life

Seo Taiji is known for keeping his personal life very private. He was married to actress Lee Ji-ah from 1997 to 2006. They met in 1993 and lived in the United States for several years.

On June 26, 2013, Seo Taiji married actress Lee Eun-sung. They met in 2008 when she appeared in one of his music videos. The couple has one daughter, who was born on August 27, 2014.

Seo Taiji Band

When Seo Taiji performs as a solo artist, he works with a consistent group of talented musicians. These members play with him on his tours and in the studio.

• Top (Ahn Seong-hoon) – lead guitar
• Rock (Choi Chang-rok) – rhythm guitar
• Sang Uk (Monkey) – bass
• Heff "The Machine" Holter – drums
• Kim Seok-jung – keyboards/programming
• Kang Joon-hyung – bass
• Choi Hyun-jin – drums
• Doc Skim – keyboards

Discography

Studio Albums

Live Albums and Singles

• Seotaiji Band Live Album 2000/2001 (2001)
• Feel the Soul (2001, Single)
• 6th Album Re-recording & ETPFEST Live (2003)
• Seotaiji Live Tour Zero '04 (2005)
• 8th Atomos Part Moai (2008, EP)
• 8th Atomos Part Secret (2009, EP)
• The Great Seotaiji Symphony (2009)
• 2009 Seotaiji Band Live Tour [The Möbius] (2010)

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Seo Taiji para niños