Samuel Seo(Korean:서사무엘;born May 3, 1991) is a South Korean singer-songwriter,rapper,and record producer. Born inSeoul,he spent his youth living in his home country, as well as Japan, the United States, and Canada. An aspiring pianist, Seo's exposure tohip hop musicin his teens led him to pursue the genre. He released a series of singles before enlisting and serving two years inmilitary service.
Samuel Seo | |
|---|---|
 Seo at theK-Pop World Festival2016 | |
| 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 |
Seo released his first studio albumFrameworks(2015), which earned him the award for Best R&B & Soul Album at theKorean Music Awardsin 2016. He released his second albumEgo 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, inSeoul,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 companyHitachiat the time, was transferred to Tokyo; this resulted in Seo and his family moving to Japan at the age of five. He was enrolled inkindergartenthere, 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 acommunity center.[3]He attended and graduatedmiddle schoolin 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 rapper50 Cent,his first experience withhip 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 toKorean 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 biblicalSamuel:"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 asirreligious.[2]Encompassingambient,electronic,andnew-age music,Seo released his first single "Raindrop" in 2010.[5]The following year, he released his firstmixtapeNow or Neverbefore being subject toconscription in South Koreaand enlisting inmilitary service.[1]
2013–2016:FrameworksandEgo 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 debutextended playWelcome to My Zonein 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,Frameworkswas released on October 2.[11]The album earned Seo the award for Best R&B & Soul Album at the 13th annualKorean Music Awards.[12]
Seo released the digital single "Kafka" on February 17, 2016. Influenced byFranz Kafka's novelThe Metamorphosis,the song is a collaboration with rapperVerbal Jint.[13]He released his second studio albumEgo 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" featuringC Jamm.[16]Seo was nominated for Best R&B & Soul Album and Song, respectively, for the 14th Korean Music Awards forEgo Expand (100%)and "B L U E".[17]
2017–present: Collaborative works
editSeo released a collaboration single with former4MinutememberJeon Ji-yoonin March 2017.[18]On June 8, he released the collaborative projectextended playElbowwith 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, includingR&B,soul,hip hop,funk,electronica,andsynthpop.[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, andUgly Duck) |
— | Non-album single | ||
| "Vibe" | — | |||
| "Ocean of You" | 2014 | — | ||
| "New Dress Girl" | 2015 | — | Frameworks | |
| "Make Up Love" | — | |||
| "G O Y O" | — | |||
| "Kafka" (featuringVerbal Jint) |
2016 | — | Non-album single | |
| "B L U E" | — | Ego Expand (100%) | ||
| "Sandwich" (featuringJung-in) |
— | |||
| "S W I R L (Onstage Ver.)" | — | Non-album single | ||
| "Float" (featuringC Jamm) |
— | |||
| "Entourage" | — | Entourage Mixtape | ||
| "Cavalia" (카발리아;Kaballia) (withBong Tae-gyuand Raw by Peppers) |
— | Sing Street | ||
| "Window" (창문;Changmun) | — | Non-album single | ||
| "Cliche" (withJeon 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) (featuringNucksal) |
— | 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" (withChancellor,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 featuringZizoand Samuel Seo) |
— | Young & Great | ||
| "The Monster" (2Tak in Quantize featuringOutsiderand 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 featuringLocoand 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-jinfeaturing Samuel Seo) |
— | Ordinary | ||
| "Home" (집;Jip) (H2ADIN featuring Samuel Seo and Nucksal) |
2017 | — |
|
High School RapperFinal |
| "Why, You?" (넌 왜?;Neon Wae?) (Park Bo-ramfeaturing 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) (Greefeaturing 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 JohnOST 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
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- ^abcNoh, Ji-young; Kim, Ruby (January 26, 2016).파란 머리, 사무엘.Dazed Korea(in Korean).RetrievedMay 10,2017.
- ^abcLiên tái SAMUEL SEO/SAMUEL ON DEMAND 『S.O.D』.Hiphop Konvey(in Japanese).RetrievedMay 10,2017.
- ^Exclusive Interview with Samuel Seo.Singapore: OfficiallyKmusic. July 26, 2016.RetrievedMay 10,2017.
- ^abcRyu, Ho.서사무엘 (Samuel Seo).Nanjang(in Korean).Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation.RetrievedMay 10,2017.
- ^abSamuel Seo INTERVIEW (2013.10).Hiphop Konvey(in Japanese).RetrievedMay 10,2017.
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- ^Yoo, Hye-ji (October 31, 2014).[HD] 서사무엘, 힙합 아티스트 최초 카페와 '콜라보레이션' 작업 진행.Top Star News(in Korean).RetrievedMay 10,2017.
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- ^Hwang, Hye-jin (February 10, 2017).포미닛 출신 전지윤, 3월 신곡 발표 '서사무엘과 콜라보'(공식).Newsen(in Korean).RetrievedMay 10,2017.
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