 Seo In-gook, the winner of a cable TV talent competition program, has emerged as a new idol with his songs off his debut mini-album instantly topping online music charts. |
Staff Reporter
Seo In-gook, winner of Mnet's ``Superstar K,'' a reality competition program to find new musical talent similar to the United States' ``American Idol,'' instantly topped online music charts with his debut mini album, the cable music channel announced Tuesday.
All three songs featured on the mini album ― ``Bureunda'' (Calling You), ``Young Love,'' which the 22-year-old wrote the lyrics for and sang during the competition, and ``Areumdaun Ibyeol'' (Beautiful Breakup), a remake of the Lee Seung-chul song ― became top-ranking numbers upon its release Tuesday.
``It is extremely rare to sweep music charts on the day an album is released, unless you are a top singer. It's even more significant considering that competition is tough opposite top stars who are making their comebacks and rising newcomers,'' said Mnet in a statement.
The debutant singer's tracks took the top three spots on Mnet's Web site (www.mnet.com). He also beat out popular K-pop artists like Leessang, SHINee, Baek Ji-young and Girls' Generation on Cyworld (www.cyworld.com) with ``Calling You.'' His two other songs were included on Cyworld's top 20 chart.
``Calling You'' was written by leading producer Bang Si-hyuk, who is known for his work with JYP Entertainment, for the winner of the talent competition. Featuring a first-place prize of more than 100 million won and the chance to make a debut fully backed by music giant Mnet, ``Superstar K'' garnered much interest among aspiring musicians and fans.
Seo, a native of Ulsan, was quoted as telling local media that he dreamed of becoming a singer ever since he was little. ``I was struck by (rocker) Kim Jung-min when I saw him on TV at age 10,'' he said. He was encouraged by his cousin to audition for the program. He is currently majoring in applied music at Daebul University.
hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr
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