Music
Below is a summary of my pre-economist music career with links to some songs and videos.
1. Euphony Production
U4NY is a group that contributed to revolutionizing Korea's R&B / Rap music industry in the late 20th and early 21st century. The R&B/Hiphop quartet began as an underground force in Korea's internet music scene in 1998 and was a finalist in MBC's music festival (Korea's American Idol) in 1999. The members of Euphony Production (the core members are Jungyu Lee, Jungmin Lee, Sewon Hur, Wonbong Jang, but also at some point included guests Miyoung Jung, Juhyun Lee, and actor Jaehwang Lee) began to consult record producers, wrote and edited songs for popular singers, directed and performed chorus and vocals, and directed and performed rap in featuring appearances on various popular records. These activities contributed to the revolution in style and quality of Korean music.
Some songs:
U4NY / 오늘밤 / 1999 (Special Award at MBC music festival): written by Jungyu, vocals by Jungmin, Juhyun, Sewon, and Wonbong (play song)
Cleo / Always in My Heart / 2000 (featuring Euphony Production): written by Jungyu, chorus by Jungmin, lyrics by Wonbong, rap by Sewon (music video)
THE S#ARP / Liar / 2000 (featuring Euphony Production): written by Jungyu, chorus by Jungmin (play song)
DANA / Diamond / 2001 (featuring Euphony Production): written by Jungyu, chorus by Jungmin, lyrics by Wonbong, rap by Sewon (music video, lip-syncing K-pop star Yunho alert)
2. Solo Record
After rejecting offers from critically acclaimed groups such as "UPTOWN", Sewon Hur finally agreed to produce a solo record which was released in 2001. During the production process, due to disagreements on the musical style of the record in which the record company wanted a more popular style and Sewon wanted a more original and deep music style, production was nearly halted several times but the two sides reached a compromise whereby the first album would lean toward a popular style and the second would be at the absolute discretion of Sewon. After the release in March 2001 and a moderately successful tour campaign, Sewon was summoned for military service leading to the eventual end of his promising music career.
"...this young rapper carries force, a hip hopper who is already a sensation in his own country. The emphasis is not the song but the overall contest in speed; his English rap is reminiscent of Ray Jay, but the artist brings his own originality and heralds in a new genre of R&B = Hiphop..." - soundspace.co.jp
Some songs:
Only Love / 2001: rap lyrics by Sewon
영원한너 / 2001: rap lyrics by Sewon (watch music video, performance on TV and another one)
3. Digital Single
After his decision to begin another journey towards an academic career in economics, Sewon released a digital single in 2007 dedicated to his fans, friends, and family.