Samuel Seo (Korean: 서사무엘; born May 3, 1991) is a South Korean singer-songwriter, rapper, and record producer. Born in Seoul, he spent his youth living in his home country, as well as Japan, the United States, and Canada. An aspiring pianist, Seo's exposure to hip hop music in his teens led him to pursue the genre. He released a series of singles before enlisting and serving two years in military service.
Samuel Seo | |
|---|---|
 Seo at the K-Pop World Festival 2016 | |
| Born | May 3, 1991 Seoul, South Korea |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Musical career | |
| Also known as | Samuel |
| Genres | |
| Instruments |
|
| Labels |
|
| Website | msbsound.com |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 서사무엘 |
| Revised Romanization | Seo Samuel |
| McCune–Reischauer | Sŏ Samuel |
| Stage name | |
| Hangul | 서사무엘 |
| Revised Romanization | Seo Samuel |
| McCune–Reischauer | Sŏ Samuel |
Seo released his first studio album Frameworks (2015), which earned him the award for Best R&B & Soul Album at the Korean Music Awards in 2016. He released his second album Ego Expand (100%) in May of that year, which earned him nominations for Best R&B & Soul Album, as well as Best R&B & Soul Song for its lead single "B L U E". As a solo artist, Seo released one of his most recent albums, "My Body and My Heart", which garnered awards for Best R&B and Soul Album. This was followed by a new release of his third album, the fourth volume of his book Eros, which garnered an award for Best Book.
Life and career
edit1991–2012: Early life and career beginnings
editSamuel Seo was born Seo Dong-hyeon on May 3, 1991, in Seoul, South Korea.[1] He began to learn to play the piano between the ages of four and five.[2] His father, who worked for the Japanese company Hitachi at the time, was transferred to Tokyo; this resulted in Seo and his family moving to Japan at the age of five. He was enrolled in kindergarten there, where he spent the following two to three years in the country and learned to speak Japanese. Throughout his remaining youth and adolescence, he lived in the United States and Canada. He learned English in the former between visiting family and studying at a community center.[3] He attended and graduated middle school in Canada, where he sought to become a lawyer.[4]
Upon returning to South Korea to attend high school, Seo began to focus on becoming a pianist.[2] While exploring his university options, he entered a club and heard "Outta Control" by American rapper 50 Cent, his first experience with hip hop music.[3] Impressed by the genre, the exposure led him to pursue it.[3][5] He came across Bigdeal's "Deal with Us", his first time listening to Korean hip hop. During this time period, the Bigdeal Squads collective was holding auditions; after successfully auditioning, Seo was signed to the record label in 2008 and became part of the collective.[6][7] Unsatisfied with his given birth name, Seo chose his stage name after the biblical Samuel: "His words became truths and people took them as sacred. I liked that position. I mean, not sacred, but I hope people hear my words seriously."[7] In spite of his name, he identifies as irreligious.[2] Encompassing ambient, electronic, and new-age music, Seo released his first single "Raindrop" in 2010.[5] The following year, he released his first mixtape Now or Never before being subject to conscription in South Korea and enlisting in military service.[1]
2013–2016: Frameworks and Ego Expand (100%)
editSeo completed his military service and was discharged in 2013.[1] A member of the New Block Babyz and Guereallaz collectives, he released his debut extended play Welcome to My Zone in October of that year.[6][7][8] The singles "Vibe" and "Ocean of You" followed in the subsequent months.[9] After a year and a half hiatus, Seo released "New Dress Girl" on September 14, 2015, in precedence of his first full-length album.[10] Contributing to the songwriting, composing, and arrangement on the record, as well as playing all instruments with the exception of bass, Frameworks was released on October 2.[11] The album earned Seo the award for Best R&B & Soul Album at the 13th annual Korean Music Awards.[12]
Seo released the digital single "Kafka" on February 17, 2016. Influenced by Franz Kafka's novel The Metamorphosis, the song is a collaboration with rapper Verbal Jint.[13] He released his second studio album Ego Expand (100%), along with its lead single "B L U E" on May 27.[14] After holding a showcase for the album, he embarked on his first series of concert tours in Asia.[15] On October 28, he released the post-album single "Float" featuring C Jamm.[16] Seo was nominated for Best R&B & Soul Album and Song, respectively, for the 14th Korean Music Awards for Ego Expand (100%) and "B L U E".[17]
2017–present: Collaborative works
editSeo released a collaboration single with former 4Minute member Jeon Ji-yoon in March 2017.[18] On June 8, he released the collaborative project extended play Elbow with Qim Isle.[19]
Musicianship
editDue to his extensive involvement in his music, Seo has been referred to as a "genius artist".[1][20][21] In addition to singing and rapping, he contributes to the songwriting, composition, arrangement, and production of his material.[5][22] He also incorporates various genres into his work, including R&B, soul, hip hop, funk, electronica, and synthpop.[23][24] He has been complimented on his "unique style".[25][26]
Discography
editAlbums
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gaon Album Chart [27] | |||
| Frameworks |
|
94 | |
| Ego Expand (100%) |
|
49 |
|
| Unity |
|
69 | |
| The Misfit |
|
70 |
Extended plays
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Welcome to My Zone |
|
| Elbow (with Qim Isle) |
|
| D I A L |
|
| Unity II |
|
Singles
editAs lead artist
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Sales | Release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaon Digital Chart | ||||
| "Raindrops" | 2010 | — | "Raindrop" | |
| "Tonite" (with Gray) |
2011 | — | Non-album single | |
| "When You Need Me" (with Daniel Star) |
— | |||
| "Just Say Yes" | — | |||
| "The Pink Room (Bubble Gum)" (featuring 2Tak) |
2013 | — | Welcome to My Zone | |
| "C.U.I.O (Count Until It's Over)" (with High Flies, Dok2, Skyzoo, and Ugly Duck) |
— | Non-album single | ||
| "Vibe" | — | |||
| "Ocean of You" | 2014 | — | ||
| "New Dress Girl" | 2015 | — | Frameworks | |
| "Make Up Love" | — | |||
| "G O Y O" | — | |||
| "Kafka" (featuring Verbal Jint) |
2016 | — | Non-album single | |
| "B L U E" | — | Ego Expand (100%) | ||
| "Sandwich" (featuring Jung-in) |
— | |||
| "S W I R L (Onstage Ver.)" | — | Non-album single | ||
| "Float" (featuring C Jamm) |
— | |||
| "Entourage" | — | Entourage Mixtape | ||
| "Cavalia" (카발리아; Kaballia) (with Bong Tae-gyu and Raw by Peppers) |
— | Sing Street | ||
| "Window" (창문; Changmun) | — | Non-album single | ||
| "Cliche" (with Jeon Ji-yoon) |
2017 | — | ||
| "Incheon Port of Farewell" (이별의 인천항; Ibyeoleui Incheonhang) | — | Incheon – Sound of Incheon (Part 1) | ||
| "Off You" | — | Non-album single | ||
| "greengreengreen" | 2018 | — | Sum (Sum∞) Eighth Greenplugged Official Omnibus Album | |
| "G O Y O 2018" (고요 2018; Goyo 2018) (featuring Nucksal) |
— | Breakers Part.1 | ||
| "5am" (다섯시; Daseotsi) | — | Breakers Part.4 | ||
| "Jazz in My" | — | Unity | ||
| "Happy Avocado" | — | |||
| "I Hate Holidays" | 2019 | — | Non-album single | |
| "Cruise" (비가 그쳤네; Biga Geuchyeotne) | — | |||
| "D O W E" | — | |||
| "Jungle Riot" | — | |||
| "Let Us Talk" | 2020 | — | ||
| "Let Us Talk (Bedroom Version)" | — | |||
| "Gae Na Ri" (개나리; Gaenari) | — | D I A L | ||
| "Soon" (with Eden) |
— | Eden_Stardust2 vol.01 | ||
| "Cycle" (굴레; Gullae) | — | Unity II | ||
| "Cloud" (운; Un) | — | |||
| "Automatic Remix" (with Chancellor, Jay Park, Lee Hi, Bibi, Jamie, Moon, Bumkey, Suran, Babylon, Hoody, Sumin, MRSHLL, Ann One, Elo, twlv, oceanfromtheblue, Jiselle, Sole, Thama, K.vsh, Jinbo, Jerd, Soovi, B.E.D., Xydo, Owell Mood, and None) |
— | Non-album single |
As featured artist
edit| Title[30] | Year | Peak chart positions | Sales | Release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaon Digital Chart | ||||
| "Slide to Unlock" (밀어서 잠금해제; Mireoseo Jamgeumhaeje) (Kruxx Beatz featuring Samuel Seo and Shin Ho-rim) |
2013 | — | Non-album single | |
| "Young & Great" (청춘; Cheongchun) (Qwala featuring Zizo and Samuel Seo) |
— | Young & Great | ||
| "The Monster" (2Tak in Quantize featuring Outsider and Samuel Seo) |
— | Before Christ | ||
| "I Didn't Know Breaking Up Could Be This Easy" (쉽게 헤어질줄 몰랐어; Swipge Heeojiljeul Mollasseo) (Sang Ji featuring Samuel Seo) |
2014 | — | "Jkey Project Vol.01" | |
| "A Dream" (Damian Kang featuring Samuel Seo) |
— | Non-album single | ||
| "Think Twice" (Cielo featuring Samuel Seo) |
— | |||
| "Dancehall Where the Demons Dance" (악마들이 춤 추는 댄스홀; Angmadeuri Chum Chuneun Daenseuhol) (Nucksal featuring Samuel Seo) |
— | |||
| "Everything and More Remix" (RiLord featuring Samuel Seo) |
— | |||
| "E.B.I.T (Every Breath I Take)" (MGFC featuring Samuel Seo) |
— | |||
| "Dot Uh" (Rawyall featuring Samuel Seo) |
— | |||
| "Tell Ya" (Young Jay featuring Samuel Seo) |
— | |||
| "The Crow" (Jinsol featuring Penomeco, Dowby, and Samuel Seo) |
— | |||
| "L O V E A S O N G" (Mushland featuring Samuel Seo) |
— | Cohail Dream | ||
| "P.A.P.E.R" (Qwala featuring Loco and Samuel Seo) |
— | Monsta Truck 2014 | ||
| "Red-Colored Night" (붉은 빛깔의 밤; Bulgeun Bitkkareun Bam) (Still PM featuring Samuel Seo) |
— | Non-album single | ||
| "Le Mans" (르망; Leumang) (Jayho featuring Samuel Seo) |
2016 | — | Le Mans | |
| "Fatalism" (운명론; Unmyeongnon) (Jang Hye-jin featuring Samuel Seo) |
— | Ordinary | ||
| "Home" (집; Jip) (H2ADIN featuring Samuel Seo and Nucksal) |
2017 | — |
|
High School Rapper Final |
| "Why, You?" (넌 왜?; Neon Wae?) (Park Bo-ram featuring Samuel Seo) |
— | Orange Moon | ||
| "Sweet" (OLNL featuring Samuel Seo) |
2018 | — | All Available | |
| "WTF" (뭐다냐; Mwodanya) (AshRock featuring Samuel Seo) |
— | Kenzasburg | ||
| "I" (OLNL featuring Samuel Seo) |
— | Show Me the Money 777 Semi-final | ||
| "TTL" (Cadejo featuring Samuel Seo) |
— | Non-album single | ||
| "Ding Dong Ditch" (벨튀; Beltwi) (Gree featuring Samuel Seo, Gaeun) |
2019 | — | Vague | |
| "Lonely Boy" (Damye featuring Samuel Seo) |
— | Non-album single | ||
| "Moonlighting" (P-Type featuring Samuel Seo) |
— |
Soundtrack appearances
edit| Title | Year | Release | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Slowly but Surely" (티 내볼게; Ti Naebolge) (Minsu, Samuel Seo) |
2019 | I'm Not a Robot OST Part 1 | [30] |
| "Pain or Death" | Doctor John OST Part 4 |
Guest appearances
edit| Title | Year | Other performer(s) | Release | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "B.B.B (Remix)" | 2013 | Jayho, Nucksal | "American Girl" | [30] |
| "Triple Double" | Young Jay, Jayho, Nucksal, Qwala, New Champ | No Stress, No Drama | [30] | |
| "Who Are You" (누구냐 너; Nugunya Neo) | Issac Squab | Hotspicyradio : Spicyflava (2/2) | [30] | |
| "Just Celebrate" | Prizmoliq | Spirit of the Times | [30] | |
| "Doping Test" | 2Tak in Quantize, New Champ, KittiB, Koonta, Innovator, Jung Moon | Before Christ | [30] | |
| "Finale2013" | Scotch VIP, Roydo, KittiB | "Day n' Night" | [30] | |
| "Lightly" (가볍게; Gabyeopge) | 2014 | New Champ | Sound Providers of Korea | [32] |
| "187" | Vasco | Code Name :187 | [30] | |
| "Oppa" (오빠) | All That | Trilogy | [30] | |
| "Shoulder Gang" (어깨깡패; Ekkaekkangpae) | Don Mills | Young Don | [30] | |
| "Shall We Dance" | Riby-J | Collabo No. 1 – Livin' in da Keywest | [30] | |
| "F.O.M" | Mushland, Cielo | Cohail Dream | [30] | |
| "Cohail Dream" | [30] | |||
| "Her in the Mirror" (거울안의 그녀; Geouraneui Genyeo) | 2015 | JJK | Noble Collision | [30] |
| "Sky Walker" | Brasco | Divin' to Earth | [30] | |
| "Good Days" | 2016 | TK, Young Jay | Tourist | [30] |
| "LO:OP" | Giriboy | Mechanical Album | [30] | |
| "Natural" (내가 무슨 말을 어찌; Naega Museun Mareul Eojji; lit. "What Do I Say") | 2017 | Hanhae, Kang Seung-hyeon | Tribe of Hip Hop2 Final I | [30] |
| "Music Is Difficult" (음악은 어려워; Eumageun Eoyreowo) | Han Yo-han | The Blade Dance | [30] | |
| "On" | Primary, George | Shininryu | [30] | |
| "Check-In" | 2018 | Reddy | Telescope | [30] |
| "a r o m a" (내린 뒤; Naerin Dwi) | — | Breakers Part.5 | [30] | |
| "Choose" (추수; Chusu) | Eluphant, TakeOne | U | [30] |
Filmography
editVariety show
edit| Year | Title | Network | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | King of Mask Singer | MBC | Contestant | as "Manhole" (episodes 285–286)[33] |
Awards and nominations
editKorean Music Awards
edit| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Frameworks | Best R&B & Soul Album | Won | [12] |
| 2017 | Ego Expand (100%) | Nominated | [17] | |
| "B L U E" | Best R&B & Soul Song | Nominated | ||
| 2018 | "Off You" | Nominated | [34] |
References
edit- ^ a b c d 서사무엘(Samuel Seo) 소개. Mnet (in Korean). CJ E&M. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ a b c Noh, Ji-young; Kim, Ruby (January 26, 2016). 파란 머리, 사무엘. Dazed Korea (in Korean). Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ a b c 連載 SAMUEL SEO/SAMUEL ON DEMAND 『S.O.D』. Hiphop Konvey (in Japanese). Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ Exclusive Interview with Samuel Seo. Singapore: OfficiallyKmusic. July 26, 2016. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ a b c Ryu, Ho. 서사무엘 (Samuel Seo). Nanjang (in Korean). Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ a b Samuel Seo INTERVIEW (2013.10). Hiphop Konvey (in Japanese). Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ a b c Lee, Jin-seok; Hwang, Du-ha (June 22, 2016). 서사무엘 – 현재진화형, 워너비에서 독자적인 아티스트로. Rhythmer (in Korean). Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ Yoo, Hye-ji (October 31, 2014). [HD] 서사무엘, 힙합 아티스트 최초 카페와 '콜라보레이션' 작업 진행. Top Star News (in Korean). Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ Kim, Ye-na (February 23, 2016). [인터뷰] 서사무엘, 경계를 허물고. bntnews (in Korean). Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ Lee, Chun-woo (September 14, 2015). 서사무엘, 1년 반 만에 새 싱글 'New Dress Girl' 발매. Busan Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ Kim, Ye-na (September 14, 2015). 서사무엘, 신곡 '뉴드레스걸' 발표…10월 첫 정규 선공개곡. bntnews (in Korean). Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ a b Han, Hye-won (February 29, 2016). 빅뱅, 한국대중음악상서 '올해의 노래' 등 3관왕. Yohap News (in Korean). Yonhap. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ Kim, Ye-na (February 16, 2016). 서사무엘, 새 싱글 '카프카' 17일 발매…버벌진트 피처링 참여. bntnews (in Korean). Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ Seon, Mi-gyeong (May 27, 2016). 서사무엘, 오늘 정규2집 발매..정인•기리보이 등 피처링. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved May 10, 2017. [ko]&rft.atitle=서사무엘, 오늘 정규2집 발매..정인•기리보이 등 피처링&rft.date=2016-05-27&rft.aulast=Seon&rft.aufirst=Mi-gyeong&rft_id=http://osen.mt.co.kr/article/G1110423591&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Samuel Seo" class="Z3988">
- ^ Park, Ji-eun (June 8, 2016). 서사무엘, 2집 발매 후 본격 '아시아 투어' 나서. Hangang Times (in Korean). Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ 서사무엘, 새 싱글 'float (Feat. C JAMM)' 10/28 발매. Hiphopplaya (in Korean). October 26, 2016. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ a b Kim, Su-jeong (February 7, 2017). 트와이스•볼빨간사춘기•비와이… '올해의 신인' 누구?. No Cut News (in Korean). CBSi. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ Hwang, Hye-jin (February 10, 2017). 포미닛 출신 전지윤, 3월 신곡 발표 '서사무엘과 콜라보'(공식). Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ Beasel (June 8, 2017). 서사무엘 X 김아일, 프로젝트 앨범 [Elbow] 발표. HiphopLE (in Korean). Retrieved June 10, 2017.
- ^ 서사무엘 (Samuel Seo). Mintpaper (in Korean). August 2, 2016. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ Lee, Eun-ho (October 10, 2015). [신보 수배] 10월 첫째 주, 놓치기 아까운 음반. 10asia (in Korean). Korea Entertainment Media. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ Lee, Chun-woo (October 5, 2015). 힙합씬 보컬 서사무엘 첫 정규앨범 '프레임웍스' 발표. Busan Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ Jang, Yu-cheol (June 2, 2016). 본고장 최고의 알앤비, 소울, 힙합 아티스트 한국으로 집결. Brain Media (in Korean). iBrain. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ Kim, Seur-a (October 16, 2016). 서사무엘•넉살•오사마리, 감각적인 힙합 R&B 콘서트 'City Night'. Hangang Times (in Korean). Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ Kwak, Min-gu (July 16, 2016). 비와이-씨잼-자이언티-지코-딘 '더 몬스터 콘서트'서 총집결 '최강 라인업'. Focus News (in Korean). Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ Bae, Sun-tak. 6월 1주, 이주의 발견 – 국내 : 어반 자카파 외 5매. Naver Music (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ "Album Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e 서사무엘(Samuel Seo) 앨범. Mnet (in Korean). CJ E&M. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ 2016년 06월 Album Chart (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Archived from the original on August 15, 2016. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x 서사무엘(Samuel Seo) 참여 곡. Mnet (in Korean). CJ E&M. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ 2017년 13주차 Download Chart (in Korean). Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ 서사무엘(Samuel Seo) 곡. Mnet (in Korean). CJ E&M. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
- ^ Lee Seung-hoon (December 20, 2020). '복면가왕' 부뚜막 고양이, '故 종현' 추억→7연승 성공..낸시∙황규영∙서사무엘∙타루 정체 공개 [종합]. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved December 27, 2020. [ko]&rft.atitle='복면가왕' 부뚜막 고양이, '故 종현' 추억→7연승 성공..낸시∙황규영∙서사무엘∙타루 정체 공개 [종합]&rft.date=2020-12-20&rft.au=Lee Seung-hoon&rft_id=http://osen.mt.co.kr/article/G1111494094&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Samuel Seo" class="Z3988">
- ^ 장르분야 (in Korean). Korean Music Awards. February 6, 2018. Archived from the original on February 7, 2018. Retrieved February 7, 2018.