Sewon Hur 허세원

Before economics

Music

Below is a summary of my pre-economist music career, with links to songs and videos.

Promotional portrait of Sewon Hur during his solo-record period
Solo-record period, 2001.
01

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, and 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.

Selected songs

  • U4NY · 오늘밤 · 1999. Special Award at the MBC music festival; written by Jungyu, with 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, and rap by Sewon. (Music video)

  • THE S#ARP · Liar · 2000. Featuring Euphony Production; written by Jungyu, with chorus by Jungmin. (Play song)

  • DANA · Diamond · 2001. Featuring Euphony Production; written by Jungyu, chorus by Jungmin, lyrics by Wonbong, and rap by Sewon. (Music video; lip-syncing K-pop star Yunho alert)

02

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. 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

Selected songs

03

Digital single

After his decision to begin another journey toward an academic career in economics, Sewon released a digital single in 2007 dedicated to his fans, friends, and family.

  • All I Want Is Good Love · 2007. Produced by Sewon.

  • By Your Side · 2007. Produced by Sewon.

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