Seo Taiji joins hands with Group 'Chagae & Aska'
to enter Japanese market
              <Donga.com, Dec 10, 2000>



Seo Taiji has joined hands with a Japanese musician, Chagae & Aska with plans to advance into the Japanese music industry next spring.
Sources from BMG Japan stated that "Seo Taiji will release his album with 'BMG Japan' and with support of Chagae and Aska he expects to promote the upcoming album and open concerts in Japan.

The source also quoted "The group took interest in Seo Tai Ji's music after witnessing the immense gathering of over 5,000 fans on the day of their departure at Kimpo airport after their Korean concert." He added "The album will be a combination of Seo Taiji's fifth and sixth albums and will possibly include one English version of the songs."

After completing business in Korea, Taiji is expected to visit Japan next March and start work on the album release and performances.
'BMG Japan' is one of the three largest recording companies in Japan, including Sony and Toshiba EMI, which has released albums of celebrated musicians such as 'Glay', 'Spitz', 'B'z', 'Misha' and 'Matsuda Seiko'. 'Chagae & Aska' is the nation's leading pop group formed in 1979, maintaining its popularity for over 22 years. Their hits include 'Say Yes', 'River', and more.

Seo Taiji's entry into Japan was already initiated two months before. It is confirmed that he flew over to Japan with Yang, Hyun-Suk, representative of 'Yang Goon Entertainment', for 4 days from Oct 21, to meet people of 'BMG Japan' and agreed on general plans regarding his activities in Japan.

An authorized person of YangGoon Entertainment (Taiji's official agency) said "It is true that Taiji's advance into Japan has been under discussion and it will be put into shape by the end of the year", not denying the fact that his activities in Japan is on-going.

People concerned with Japanese music anticipate Seo Taiji's 'Hardcore Pimprock' music has high success potential in the Japanese pop market. In 1993, Taiji, as a group leader of Taiji & Boys, advanced into Japan with 'Ha-Yo-Ga', the title song for his second album. His songs were highly praised by the local press as being unique.

Especially after watching Taij's pre-telerecording concert, held at Triport Hall, Ulchiro 3-Ga, Seoul, last Nov 22, the people from 'Chagae & Aska' said "Seo Taiji's music seems very powerful and sophisticated." "Even if he sings the songs in Korean, and not necessarily in Japanese, they will be competitive enough in the Japanese market."

It is also known that Seo Taiji will found a new agency in Japan with Chagae & Aska productions.
Taiji's advance into the Japanese market, the second largest music industry next to the U.S., is expected to boost the Korean pop-song industry.

Trans. By Doya