Originally published Friday, December 12, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Comments (15)
E-mail article
Print view
Se7en, a Korean pop superstar, pays a visit to the Seattle area
Korean pop star Choi Dong Wook, known as Se7en, performs Dec. 13 at the Fremont Studios in Seattle and signs autographs at Verizon Wireless in Federal Way on Dec. 14.
Seattle Times staff reporter
Audio interview
Se7en
Live performance: 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday, Fremont Studios, 155 N. 35th St., Seattle; 21+ only (limited presale $40, VIP $80; RVSP via e-mail to Joe Cha at joecha@whisperseattle.com (information, 206-427-4204 or www.whisperla.com/sea/event3.aspx).Autograph signing: 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Verizon Wireless, 2125 S. 320th St., Federal Way; free (all ages).
On the Internet
Se7en: Hear music and see videos by Se7en, as well as get information on his shows, at his MySpace page, www.myspace.com/officialse7en
Fans swarmed the Korean pop star's show in California. And now, Choi Dong Wook, known as Se7en, will take on Washington.
"Nobody hates the number 7," Se7en said about his favorite number. "I want to be everyone's luck. I want to give them luck from my music."
The 25-year-old has won nine Korean Music Awards (equivalent to Grammys), as well as Most Popular Korean Singer (MTV Asia Awards). In addition, he's sold out shows in both South Korea and Japan, in arenas that sit 20,000. And after four albums in South Korea and two albums in Japan, he's ready for the states.
"My music is pop and R&B, so the music that I love is born here, in America," said Se7en, who has been singing since age 5. "In Asia, every singer, their best dream is America."
Se7en is coming to Washington for the first time this week, performing in Seattle at Fremont Studios Saturday and signing autographs in Federal Way on Sunday. After more than 3,000 people showed up for his Highlands Night Club concert last May in Hollywood, who knows how many Seattle-area fans will turn out? More than 1,000 queued up for San Francisco and Orange County signings, arriving as early as 7 a.m. for autograph sessions that started at 2 in the afternoon.
"It's really like, so special, that I'm here in America, not Asia, but still people know me and people are supporting me," said Se7en. "That kind of thing is really like an honor, and I'm so thankful about that."
With hip-hop-flavored dancing skills, an R&B taste and Michael Jackson-inspired clothes, Se7en is like a pop-ier Justin Timberlake. Over the past year and a half, Se7en has settled in Los Angeles, working on a self-produced American debut album all in English, set for release in February.
"It was pretty hard. I'm still working on my English," said Se7en, who describes himself as a hardworking, happy person.
The singer has a hit-making team that includes Grammy Award-winning producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins (who has worked with pop stars like Beyoncé, Ludacris and Michael Jackson) and Noize Trip (who produced Fergie and Pink). They created a hip-hop-funk-R&B album, with Se7en collaborating with such rappers as Fabolous and Three 6 Mafia. And Se7en's first single, set for release next month, is with Lil' Kim.
"I want to show them something from Asian culture, something fresh, something new," said Se7en. "Me and Lil' Kim come together — isn't it kind of fresh?"
He is looking for an American major label to work with, and if successful, he could be the first Korean artist of his caliber to break into this market.
"Music is just music — music is universal," said Se7en. "I don't think it matters where I'm from. It doesn't matter my face color. ... I want to show them just my music, then my singing, my dancing, my performing — that's the point."
Marian Liu: 206-464-3825 or mliu@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
NEW - 04:52 PM
Supergroup Them Crooked Vultures land at the Paramount
A wild and crazy list of best comedy albums ever
Miles of music: trumpeter's collection covers 70 CDs
NEW - 04:57 PM
Them Crooked Vultures set list, Nov. 21
Longtime sax buddies rekindle days of soulful club gigs

LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham talks about the upcoming MLS Cup final during after a team practice.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'The Road' takes Viggo Mortensen to Mount St. Helens and Astoria, Ore.
- Craigslist adoption ad: A plea by young mother-to-be? A scam?
- Italian lead prosecutor argues Knox motive was hatred
- Tugboat sinks on Seattle's waterfront
- Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
- Italian prosecutors request life sentence for UW student
- Man shot in chest on E. Union Street in Capitol Hill
- Washington state wines make annual best-of list
- Chase shrugs off loss of CD investors
- Mariners Blog | A Mariners-Tigers swap makes a whole lot of sense for both teams
- Senate vote clears hurdle
237 - Tight Senate vote launches health care over hurdle
119 - Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
119 - Vikings easily beat the Seahawks
116 - Palin excitement builds in Tri-Cities
116 - Prosecutor requests life in prison for Amanda Knox
88 - Cutting through breast-cancer confusion
88 - Game thread
70 - New York terror trials will restore faith in rule of law
53 - Chase shrugs off loss of CD investors
48
- Washington state wines make annual best-of list
- Nonprofits get creative using Twitter and Facebook to make donation easier
- It's possible to recover a life lost to hoarding
- Lynnwood is reinventing itself — again
- Great places to cross-country ski for free (or almost) in the Methow
- 'The Road' takes Viggo Mortensen to Mount St. Helens and Astoria, Ore.
- Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
- Recipes: Sesame Pork Roast, Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes, Gingerbread with Lemon Sauce and more
- Banff: powder, peaks & purity
- 175 foster kids in Washington get 'forever families'










