Se7en (Korean: 세븐, born Choi Dong-Wook, Hangeul: 최동욱, Hanja: 崔東昱, November 9, 1984) is a South Korean R&B singer. He began training under a management agency YG Entertainment at the age of 15. After 4 years of training in voice and dance, he made his debut in 2003 and became successful throughout Asia. He has released a total of 5 albums (4 Korean, 1 Japanese) and various singles.
Career
Se7en has worked exclusively under the YG Entertainment label. Much of his career is comprised of constant promotions for his songs through live performances on TV, radio shows, and occasionally, concerts. He also began learning Japanese in preparation for his promotional activities for his Japan debut in 2005. He is currently developing his English speaking skills for his upcoming US debut scheduled for 2007.
Se7en has traveled throughout Asia, particularly Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, and China. He has also performed a few times in the United States, specifically Los Angeles (Grand Olympic and Hollywood Bowl), New York City (Madison Square Garden), and Washington DC (DAR Constitution Hall).
In addition to performing, he has been featured on game shows in South Korea and Japan, and commercials for Samsung's Anycall, Baskin Robbins, Coca Cola, LG Telecom, Sprite (directed by David Fincher) and most recently, K-SWISS and KTF. He has held a total of five concerts in Japan: one held in 2005 at Yokohama, and for the year 2006, two held in Tokyo and two in Osaka. He held a total of three concerts for his "24/SE7EN" album promotion June 2006 in Seoul, South Korea. His popularity has earned him an award for the Most Popular Korean Singer in the MTV Asia Awards 2006 at Bangkok, Thailand , and the MTV Best Buzz Asia Award 2006 .
On April 7, 2007, his 747 concert was held at Seoul's Olympic Park Stadium, which marks Se7en's last activity in Korea for this year. He is currently working on his oversea activities in Japan and the United States. He has held another Japanese tour called '7rhythm' in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya in early July. According to his Japanese label, Nexstar Records, all of the 20,000 tickets for the concerts were sold out in a short amount of time. After Se7en finishes up his promotional activities in Japan, he will concentrate on his US debut in the fall.
American Debut
Se7en and YG Family (including Big Bang, Jinusean and Gummy) have made an appearance on MTV K, followed by 3 concerts in Washington DC, New York City, and Los Angeles, to celebrate YG Family's 10th Anniversary and to help promote Se7en before his American debut. The MTV K documentary aired on December 11, 2006.
Se7en is a featured guest on Amerie's Take Control on her album, Because I Love It, which was released in May 2007. This remix is available on Asian versions of the album .Se7en has been working with Grammy-winner Rich Harrison on his first American album.A new production team called Noize Trip, who produced The Black Eyed Peas' Disco Club has also contributed to the album.
Yang Heon Seok, (CEO of YG Entertainment) had announced that Fabolous will be featured in Se7en's first U.S. single.However, due to a recent leak of his US debut song, "This is My Year" featuring Fabolous,on Myspace and YouTube, this will cause some changes in Se7en's debut in America. On June 29, 2007 YG stated that the plan has been changed and it is expected for Se7en to release an American album at the end of this year.
Acting career
Se7en accepted the lead role for the Korean drama Goong S, a spinoff of the popular drama Goong. The first episode of Goong S premiered on January 10, 2007 on MBC; the average nationwide rating for the entire series was 9.7%, which was considerably lower than the ratings of its predecessor, Goong.
Despite the low ratings, Goong S was the most searched and rewatched drama online; it ranked higher than its competition: KBS2 Dal Ja's Spring and SBS Surgeon Bong Dal Hee.The drama has also gained a wide variety of support from international fans in the U.S., Thailand, Malaysia, Brazil, Australia, Singapore and the Philippines.Although he is aware that criticisms still remain, Se7en has taken note of those criticisms and is determined to continue acting in the near future.Se7en had said that even though the drama was not of much of a success, he does not ever regret accepting the role of his character in the drama. He mentioned that he was thankful to have a chance to work with the drama crew and take his career to a new level by acting. It has also helped Se7en to sing with more emotion during performances.
Se7en's signature handstand
Se7en's vocal range can be classified in the tenor range. His voice can be described as smooth, mellow, and sometimes mildly abrasive (see vocal belting) when songs, such as "Crazy" and "I Know," call for it. He often sings with a vibrato in his voice that American R&B singers are known for, and also incorporates beatboxing into many of his songs such as "Passion." Se7en maintains an adamant belief that he should not lipsync during his live performances.
Dance
Additionally, Se7en is known for his dance moves. His dance style, like his vocals, can also be described as "leaning more towards freestyle" rather than heavy choreography. Some dance techniques he sports during live performances are gliding, popping of the chest, various one-handed handstands, swipe, and kicks. His signature handstand, which he executes during his "Come Back to Me" performances, is the Nike (see picture). Most recently, he has been executing the gainer and the pike (see breakdance) during his "I Know" performances.
Awards
2003 November 27 : M.net Music Video Festival - New male Artist Music Video Award
2003 December 5 : SBS The 18th Golden Disc - New Artist Award
2003 December 10 : KMTV Korean Music Awards - New Male Vocalist Award
2003 December 12 : MTV Korea Seoul Music Awards - New Artist Award
2003 December 29 : SBS Popular Song Awards - New Singer Award
2003 December 29 : MBC Entertainment Awards - Pop Singer Section - Special Award
2003 December 31 : MBC Top Ten Vocalist Awards - New Vocalist Award
2004 December 2 : SBS The 19th Golden Disc - Main Award + Popular Music Video Award
2004 December 4 : M.net & KM Music Video Festival - Male Solo Vocalist Award
2004 December 30 : KBS Korea Pop Award - Main Award
2004 December 31 : MBC Top Ten Vocalist Award - Main Award
2005 May 28 : Channel V Thailand Awards - Asian Sensation Award
2006 January 14 : China Original Music Ranking Chart SPRITE Awards - Best Artist in Asia
2006 March 9 : Japan Golden Disc - Special Award
2006 May 6 : MTV Asia Awards - Favorite Artist Korea
2006 May 27 : MTV Video Music Awards Japan - Best Buzz Asia from Korea
2006 December 1: MTV Korea 16th Seoul Music Awards - Best Video Award - 난 알아요
2006 December 29: SBS Gayo Daejun - Top Artist Award (Bonsang)
2007 August 21: M.net Summer Break 20's Choice - Best Male Artist Award
Career
Se7en has worked exclusively under the YG Entertainment label. Much of his career is comprised of constant promotions for his songs through live performances on TV, radio shows, and occasionally, concerts. He also began learning Japanese in preparation for his promotional activities for his Japan debut in 2005. He is currently developing his English speaking skills for his upcoming US debut scheduled for 2007.
Se7en has traveled throughout Asia, particularly Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, and China. He has also performed a few times in the United States, specifically Los Angeles (Grand Olympic and Hollywood Bowl), New York City (Madison Square Garden), and Washington DC (DAR Constitution Hall).
In addition to performing, he has been featured on game shows in South Korea and Japan, and commercials for Samsung's Anycall, Baskin Robbins, Coca Cola, LG Telecom, Sprite (directed by David Fincher) and most recently, K-SWISS and KTF. He has held a total of five concerts in Japan: one held in 2005 at Yokohama, and for the year 2006, two held in Tokyo and two in Osaka. He held a total of three concerts for his "24/SE7EN" album promotion June 2006 in Seoul, South Korea. His popularity has earned him an award for the Most Popular Korean Singer in the MTV Asia Awards 2006 at Bangkok, Thailand , and the MTV Best Buzz Asia Award 2006 .
On April 7, 2007, his 747 concert was held at Seoul's Olympic Park Stadium, which marks Se7en's last activity in Korea for this year. He is currently working on his oversea activities in Japan and the United States. He has held another Japanese tour called '7rhythm' in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya in early July. According to his Japanese label, Nexstar Records, all of the 20,000 tickets for the concerts were sold out in a short amount of time. After Se7en finishes up his promotional activities in Japan, he will concentrate on his US debut in the fall.
American Debut
Se7en and YG Family (including Big Bang, Jinusean and Gummy) have made an appearance on MTV K, followed by 3 concerts in Washington DC, New York City, and Los Angeles, to celebrate YG Family's 10th Anniversary and to help promote Se7en before his American debut. The MTV K documentary aired on December 11, 2006.
Se7en is a featured guest on Amerie's Take Control on her album, Because I Love It, which was released in May 2007. This remix is available on Asian versions of the album .Se7en has been working with Grammy-winner Rich Harrison on his first American album.A new production team called Noize Trip, who produced The Black Eyed Peas' Disco Club has also contributed to the album.
Yang Heon Seok, (CEO of YG Entertainment) had announced that Fabolous will be featured in Se7en's first U.S. single.However, due to a recent leak of his US debut song, "This is My Year" featuring Fabolous,on Myspace and YouTube, this will cause some changes in Se7en's debut in America. On June 29, 2007 YG stated that the plan has been changed and it is expected for Se7en to release an American album at the end of this year.
Acting career
Se7en accepted the lead role for the Korean drama Goong S, a spinoff of the popular drama Goong. The first episode of Goong S premiered on January 10, 2007 on MBC; the average nationwide rating for the entire series was 9.7%, which was considerably lower than the ratings of its predecessor, Goong.
Despite the low ratings, Goong S was the most searched and rewatched drama online; it ranked higher than its competition: KBS2 Dal Ja's Spring and SBS Surgeon Bong Dal Hee.The drama has also gained a wide variety of support from international fans in the U.S., Thailand, Malaysia, Brazil, Australia, Singapore and the Philippines.Although he is aware that criticisms still remain, Se7en has taken note of those criticisms and is determined to continue acting in the near future.Se7en had said that even though the drama was not of much of a success, he does not ever regret accepting the role of his character in the drama. He mentioned that he was thankful to have a chance to work with the drama crew and take his career to a new level by acting. It has also helped Se7en to sing with more emotion during performances.
Se7en's signature handstand
Se7en's vocal range can be classified in the tenor range. His voice can be described as smooth, mellow, and sometimes mildly abrasive (see vocal belting) when songs, such as "Crazy" and "I Know," call for it. He often sings with a vibrato in his voice that American R&B singers are known for, and also incorporates beatboxing into many of his songs such as "Passion." Se7en maintains an adamant belief that he should not lipsync during his live performances.
Dance
Additionally, Se7en is known for his dance moves. His dance style, like his vocals, can also be described as "leaning more towards freestyle" rather than heavy choreography. Some dance techniques he sports during live performances are gliding, popping of the chest, various one-handed handstands, swipe, and kicks. His signature handstand, which he executes during his "Come Back to Me" performances, is the Nike (see picture). Most recently, he has been executing the gainer and the pike (see breakdance) during his "I Know" performances.
Awards
2003 November 27 : M.net Music Video Festival - New male Artist Music Video Award
2003 December 5 : SBS The 18th Golden Disc - New Artist Award
2003 December 10 : KMTV Korean Music Awards - New Male Vocalist Award
2003 December 12 : MTV Korea Seoul Music Awards - New Artist Award
2003 December 29 : SBS Popular Song Awards - New Singer Award
2003 December 29 : MBC Entertainment Awards - Pop Singer Section - Special Award
2003 December 31 : MBC Top Ten Vocalist Awards - New Vocalist Award
2004 December 2 : SBS The 19th Golden Disc - Main Award + Popular Music Video Award
2004 December 4 : M.net & KM Music Video Festival - Male Solo Vocalist Award
2004 December 30 : KBS Korea Pop Award - Main Award
2004 December 31 : MBC Top Ten Vocalist Award - Main Award
2005 May 28 : Channel V Thailand Awards - Asian Sensation Award
2006 January 14 : China Original Music Ranking Chart SPRITE Awards - Best Artist in Asia
2006 March 9 : Japan Golden Disc - Special Award
2006 May 6 : MTV Asia Awards - Favorite Artist Korea
2006 May 27 : MTV Video Music Awards Japan - Best Buzz Asia from Korea
2006 December 1: MTV Korea 16th Seoul Music Awards - Best Video Award - 난 알아요
2006 December 29: SBS Gayo Daejun - Top Artist Award (Bonsang)
2007 August 21: M.net Summer Break 20's Choice - Best Male Artist Award
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