By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
Iconic pop star Seo Taiji wowed a crowd of about 10,000 at a concert at the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan Saturday night, as he embarked on a national tour to promote his upcoming eighth album. The star's last tour, titled ``Zero,'' was in 2004.
Seo's 2009 concert tour, titled ``The Mobius,'' kicked off on an outdoor stage at the Peace Plaza at 7 p.m., along with performances by group Vassline and singer Pia.
Seo took the stage at around 8:15 p.m. in a black suit and dazzled the audience with ``T'ikT'ak,'' a song included on his best-selling eighth single, Atomos Part Moai.
According to Seo's agency, the 10,000 fans who attended the show varied from teenagers to the middle aged.
Seo performed ``FM Business'' and ``Bermuda'' for the excited crowd and sang ``Juliet,'' the title track of the Atomos Part Secret, the second single off his upcoming album. He also unveiled a new track, ``Replica,'' which will be released on the new album.
He said that ``Replica'' sounds a little bit more difficult than ``Juliet.'' ``But I made `Replica' because I thought many people are just trying to imitate others, rather than keeping their own identity. So I hope the song will make people think about the phenomenon,'' he said.
In addition to the news songs, Seo also performed some of his 1990s hits, including ``Hayeoga,'' ``To You'' and ``Take 5.''
Near the end of the concert, fans began spraying each other with water while singing along to ``Sidaeyugam (Regret of the Times).''
The set ended with ``Free Style,'' but the 37-year-old musician was coaxed back onto the stage for a curtain call and played ``In The Time Spent With You.''
Seo wrapped up the two-hour concert with ``Snow of Morning'' from the new album.
The singer/songwriter performed 20 songs from new and old albums but particularly the hit songs from his time with Seo Taiji and Boys.
His eighth album will be released on June 25. The 12-track album will include single 8th Atomos Part Moai, which was released in July last year, as well as two other singles that were unveiled Saturday at the Mobius tour.
His concert tour will continue on to Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, Incheon, Ilsan, Seongnam, Anyang and Gwangju. He will take a break after the tour.
Seo debuted in 1992 as the leader of the phenomenally popular group Seo Taiji and Boys along with members Lee Ju-no and Yang Hyun-suk. The group introduced dance music culture to Korea with songs like, ``Nan Arayo (I Know)" and ``Hayeoga." Their music evolved to include different styles such as heavy metal, rock and gangster rap, with songs such as ``Classroom Idea'' and ``Come Back Home.'' After enjoying their place at the top, the three members parted ways in 1996.
Following a two-year hiatus, Seo returned to the Korean music scene with his fifth album in 1998, and still boasts a massive fan base.