Seo Taiji's return is imminent

By Park Si-soo

It seems that Korea’s “President of Culture” Seo Taiji will be back on stage soon.

Major broadcasters and organizers of music festivals are reportedly trying hard to invite the 42-year-old rock musician to their upcoming events, promising that his stage will become something “special.”

Seo has stayed out of the limelight after releasing his eighth album in 2009. He has finished recording his ninth album and now is looking for the best time for a comeback.

“He is still a superstar,” said Kim Kyung-soo, a rock festival organizer. “Seo ruled the K-pop scene from the 1990s through the early 2000s.

Although he has been inactive in recent years, he is still widely perceived as an undisputable superstar. His comeback will carry a huge impact on the K-pop scene.”

Seo’s management agency said it had received a flurry of calls from major broadcasters and music festival organizers who are determined to have Seo on their stages.

“Nothing has been decided yet,” an agency official said. The official refused to provide further information regarding Seo’s return.

Seo married actress Lee Eun-sung in August last year. In December, Seo wrote on his website, “I’m doing last-minute preparation for the new album. You will see my ninth album in the middle of next year.”

Seo transformed the landscape of K-pop in 1990s. His band, Seo Taiji and Boys, became a nationwide cultural sensation with his debut song “I Know It” in 1992, a rap song mixed with American hip hop. However, the band’s breakup in 1996 sent a violent shockwave to its numerous fans.

Seo returned to the stage in 2002 with a solo album, which was also successful.