Seven (South Korean singer)

Se7en
Background information
Birth name	Choi Dong-wook
Born	November 9, 1984 (1984-11-09) (age 27)[1]
Origin	Seoul, Republic of Korea
Genres	Pop, R&B, hip hop
Occupations	Singer, dancer, actor
Years active	2003–present
Labels	YG Entertainment
Associated acts	YG Family
Website	www.hello7.com

Stage name
Hangul	세븐
Revised Romanization	Sebeun
McCune–Reischauer	Sebŭn
Birth name
Hangul	최동욱
Hanja	崔東昱
Revised Romanization	Choi Dong-uk
McCune–Reischauer	Ch'oe Tong'uk

Choi Dong-wook (Korean:최동욱, born November 9, 1984), better known by his stage name Se7en, is a South Korean singer from YG Entertainment. He has released songs in South Korea, Japan, China and the United States.

Career

2003: Debut

He began training under the management agency YG Entertainment at the age of fifteen. After four years of training in voice and dance, he made his debut in 2003. He released his debut album Just Listen on March 8, 2003.

2007-2009: American Debut

On the cover of KoreAm, January 2009

Seven and YG Family (including Big Bang, 2NE1, 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 ^[2] and to help promote Seven before his American debut. The MTV K documentary aired on December 11, 2006.

Seven is a featured guest on Amerie's Take Control on her album, Because I Love It, which was released in May 2007.^[3] This remix is available on Asian versions of the album.^[4]

Yang Hyun Suk, (CEO of YG Entertainment) had announced that Fabolous will be featured in Seven 's first U.S. single.^[5] However, due to a leak in March 2007 of his US debut song, "This is My Year" featuring Fabolous, which is produced by Rich Harrison and Lionell Davis,^[6] on Myspace and YouTube, this caused some changes in Seven's U.S. debut.

Se7en has been working with former CEO of LaFace Records, Mark Shimmel and Grammy-winner Rich Harrison and Richcraft producer Lionell Davis on his first American album.^[7] A new production team called Noize Trip, who produced The Black Eyed Peas' Disco Club^[8] has also contributed some work. It was also reported that Teddy from 1TYM has produced a song for Seven's American album and possibly will make more songs.^[9] Darkchild has also joined the team and produced songs for Se7en.^[10] It was also reported from Far East Movement's blog that they, as well as Three 6 Mafia will also participate in his upcoming English album. Other blogs report that singer Franklin Ramos, better known as Frankshizzle, will feature Se7en and Tae Yang on his upcoming album Here I Come.^[11]

YG Entertainment and Se7en also took necessary steps to ensure his debut such as trademarking his name in America.^[12][13]

Seven began promoting his English songs through a U.S. album preview party tour with his first stop at the Hiro Ballroom in New York City on March 14, 2008 (produced by Swerve Media and Base NYC). Three of his U.S. album tracks were played at this preview party. He is currently holding other album preview parties across the U.S. and Canada.^[14][15] Verizon Wireless has been sponsoring his preview parties and autograph signings by Seven for a charitable cause.^[16]

On March 10, Seven 's first single "Girls" featuring Lil' Kim was released through digital stores such as iTunes and Amazon MP3. The music video for "Girls" was also released on Myspace that same day.

Seven 's "Girls" music video premiered on BET 106 & Park on June 2, 2009.

2010: Korean comeback

Se7en made an official comeback in Korea after a 3 year long hiatus on July 31, 2010 with his 1st mini-album "Digital Bounce." It has been popular online and offline music charts since its release in mid July, followed by "I'm Going Crazy". The album consisted of 6 songs including a song from his American debut titled 'Money Can't Buy Me Love'. His title song 'Better Together' won an award on M!Countdown as well. His 2nd track 'Digital Bounce' featured the rapping skills of Big Bang's TOP. Se7en began his follow up promotions in October with the song 'I'm Going Crazy' which featured his long time girlfriend Park HanByul as the main actress in the music video. Throughout his comeback, Se7en attended many variety shows such as Strong Heart, Knee Drop Guru, Running Man, and even featured in fellow labelmate 2NE1's hit reality show 2NE1TV, and told his stories of his hardships in America and his hiatus. Se7en ended his 2010 comeback promotions on the 30 of October with Digital Bounce and Better Together.

2011:Japanese Comeback

Se7en has recently revealed, by means of 2NE1's Nolza Japan Concert, that he is planning a comeback in Japan after his four year hiatus since 2007. He has revealed that this album will have a Pop concept and that his first official fanmeet will be on November 6 of this year. Se7en has also revealed that he will be releasing a digital single named 'Angel' in November of this year, and will release a full Japanese album along side a Korean album in January of 2012.

Acting career

Seven accepted the lead role for the Korean drama Goong S, a spinoff of the 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%.

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.^[17] The drama has also gained a wide variety of support from international fans in the U.S., Thailand, Malaysia, Brazil, Australia, and Singapore.^[18]

Se7en has stated an intention to continue acting in the near future.^[19] Seven 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. It even helped Seven to sing with more emotion during performances. He also 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.^[20]

Artistry

Voice

Seven '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," "La La La," "Hikari" 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." Seven maintains an adamant belief that he should not lipsync during his live performances.^[21]

Personal life

In June 2009, Seven acknowledged on his website that he and actress Park Han-byul had been in a relationship for over nine years, with the couple having first met when they were seniors in high school. Seven had previously denied rumours that they were a couple in order to protect Park's privacy and let the relationship grow naturally.^[22][23] Han-byul was featured in Se7en's music video for his song "I'm Going Crazy". ^[24]

Discography

Main article: Seven discography

Korean Studio Albums Just Listen (2003) Must Listen (2004) 24/SE7EN (2006) Se7olution (2006) Korean Extended Plays Digital Bounce (EP) (2010) Korean Singles Come Back To Me (2003) One More Time (2003) Baby I Like You Like That (2003) Tattoo (2004) Passion (2004) Crazy (2004) I Know (Ft. Teddy) (2006) Come Back To Me - Part 2 (2006) All Night (2006)

Japanese studio albums FIRST SE7EN (2006) Japanese Singles Hikari (2005) Style (2005) Start Line/ Forever (double A-side single) (2005) I wanna... (2006) Chinese studio albums Must Listen (2006)

Tours

• 'FIRST SE7EN' JAPAN YOYOGI CONCERT (2006)
• 747 LIVE CONCERT (2007)
• 'Are U ready?' JAPAN TOUR CONCERT (2007)

Filmography

Television

Year	Title	Role
2007	Goong S	Kang Hoo/Lee Hoo
2010	Running Man	Guest (Ep 6)

Awards

Year	Awards
2003	2003 M.net KM Music Festival: Best New Male Artist 18th Golden Disk Awards: New Artist Award 2003 KMTV Music Awards: New Male Vocalist Award 14th Seoul Music Awards: New Artist Award 2003 SBSGayo DaeJun: New Singer Award 2003 MBC Entertainment Awards:Best Pop Singer (Special Award) 2003 MBC Music Awards: New Vocalist Award
2004	19th Golden Disk Awards: Bonsang 19th Golden Disk Awards: Popular Music Video Award 2004 M.net KM Music Festival: Best Male Solo Artist Award 2004 KBS Music Awards: Bonsang 2004 MBC Music Awards: Bonsang
2005	2005 Channel V Thailand Music Awards: Asian Sensation Award
2006	20th Japan Gold Disc Awards: Japan-Korea Friendship Year Spacial Award 2006 MTV Asia Awards: Favorite Artist Korea 2006 MTV Video Music Awards Japan: Best Buzz Asia (South Korea) 16th Seoul Music Awards: Best Music Video Award (난 알아요) 2006 SBS Gayo DaeJun: Bonsang
2007	2007 M.net 20's Choice: Best Male Artist Award

References

1. ^ 스타클릭 / 세븐 - "일본에서 보아처럼 성공하고 싶어요"
2. ^ Se7en’s Performance to Be Aired in the U.S.
3. ^ Seven and R&B Star Amerie Duet
4. ^ 세븐-에이머리, 다정한 듀엣곡 녹음모습 공개
5. ^ Message from YG (2006.12.21)
6. ^ 세븐 미국 진출 타이틀곡 UCC 유투브 유출사고에 활동 비상
7. ^ Se7en Set to Make U.S. Debut
8. ^ Message from YG (2007.07.18)
9. ^ Message from YG (2007.10.18)
10. ^ 세븐 美 데뷔 앨범 작업 막바지 “최고 레코드사와 발매 협의 중”
11. ^ Far East Movement Blog (2008.01.18)
12. ^ 세븐, 美서 상표등록..미국진출 '순풍'
13. ^ U.S. Patent and Trademark Office registration of Se7en's name
14. ^ 세븐, 美 진출 본격 시동... 신곡 3곡 현지서 선보여
15. ^ "Korean recording superstar Se7en arrives in Seattle"
16. ^ ASIAN SUPERSTAR, SE7EN, AND VERIZON WIRELESS TEAM UP FOR ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH CHARITY PROGRAM
17. ^ '궁S' 팬들 기대 이하 시청률에 '닥본사' 운동 깃발 올렸다
18. ^ '궁S' 해외에서 후끈 "시청률 우리도 안타까워"
19. ^ SE7EN,首次演技挑戰是'苦?',還是'藥'
20. ^ 세븐 "'궁S' 탓 우울증? 말도 안돼!" 일축
21. ^ Different Strokes for Different Folks from Se7en
22. ^ Lee Tae-hoon. "Se7en Confesses Love for Actress Park". The Korea Times, 10 June 2009. Retrieved on 24 June 2009.
23. ^ "Love Is in the Air for Korean Celebrities". KBS World, 11 June 2009. Retrieved on 24 June 2009.
24. ^ http://www.allkpop.com/2010/09/se7en-reveals-im-going-crazy-mv

External links

• Hello7.com - Official website (Korean)
• Seven (South Korean singer) on Facebook (English)
• Seven (South Korean singer) on Twitter
• Se7en Official YouTube Channel

Persondata
Name	Se7en
Alternative names	Dong-Wook, Choi (birth name)
Short description	South Korean pop/R&B singer
Date of birth	November 9, 1984
Place of birth	Seoul
Date of death
Place of death