1. Biography
● Artist Name:
○ Real Name: Choi Dong-wook (최동욱)
○ Stage Name: Se7en (세븐)
● Date of Birth: November 9, 1984
● Country of Origin: South Korea
● Field of Activity: Singer, Actor
● Notable for: Early K-pop soloist success, expansion into Japanese and Chinese markets
● SNS:
- Instagram: @se7enofficial
2. Early Life and Background
Se7en began his journey in the entertainment industry at a young age, joining YG Entertainment at the age of fifteen. He underwent four years of intensive training in singing and dancing before making his debut. This foundational period helped shape him into a versatile performer capable of handling both powerful vocal performances and intricate dance routines.
3. Career
Se7en’s career launched in 2003 with his debut album “Just Listen,” released on March 8. The album was a significant success, selling over 210,000 copies by year’s end and producing the hit single “Come Back to Me.” His debut year was marked by multiple Best New Artist awards from major Korean music award ceremonies.
His sophomore album “Must Listen” (2004) continued his success streak, with the hit single “Passion” earning him various awards. Se7en’s career expanded internationally in 2005, starting with his Japanese debut single “Hikari.” He successfully entered multiple Asian markets, releasing music in Japanese and Chinese, and attempted to break into the U.S. market in the late 2000s.
Key releases include:
- “Just Listen” (2003) – Debut album
- “Must Listen” (2004)
- “24/Se7en” (2006)
- “First Se7en” (2006) – Japanese debut album
- “Digital Bounce” (2010) – First mini-album
- “I Am Se7en” (2016)
Se7en also ventured into acting, making his debut in the 2007 TV drama “Prince Hours.”
4. Style and Influence
Se7en’s vocal style is distinctively characterized by his tenor range, known for its smooth and mellow quality with the ability to incorporate powerful belting when required. He is recognized for his incorporation of American R&B influences, including the use of vibrato and beatboxing in his performances. Se7en is notably committed to live singing, maintaining a strict policy against lip-syncing during performances.
5. Personal Life/Dating News
Se7en’s most significant public relationship has been with actress Lee Da-hae, whom he dated for over a year before their relationship was revealed in September 2016. The couple announced their engagement on March 20, 2023, and married on May 6, 2023, in a private ceremony at Hotel Shilla in Seoul.
6. Scandals/Controversies
The most notable controversy in Se7en’s career occurred during his military service in 2013. He was found guilty of visiting a massage parlor while on military leave and was sentenced to 10 days in military jail for violating military regulations. Se7en later clarified that he was only charged with leaving the military camp without permission.
7. Achievements and Awards
Se7en’s career is marked by numerous achievements across multiple markets:
Early Career Success:
- Best New Artist awards at various 2003 ceremonies including Golden Disc Awards, MBC Gayo Daejejeon, Mnet Music Video Festival, and SBS Gayo Daejeon
- “Must Listen” reached #1 on the monthly Recording Industry Association of Korea album chart
- Won Popular Asian Artist at the 2004 Channel V Thailand Music Video Awards
International Achievements:
- Multiple top-ten singles on Japan’s Oricon Singles Chart
- Over 100,000 album sales in Thailand
- Three awards at the China Original Music Pop Chart Awards
- First Asian artist to have his music video played on BET’s 106 & Park
Notable Collaborations:
- Worked with American artists including Lil’ Kim, Fabolous, and producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins
- Collaborated with Korean artists including BigBang’s TOP
Business Ventures:
- After leaving YG Entertainment in 2015, he continued his career under new management, signing with Dmost Entertainment in 2020