Se7en: 'This Is the Song that I Have to Sing Right Now'

Se7en is gaining popularity with his new song entitled "When I Can't Sing".

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Se7en (real name Choi Dong-wook, 28) who made a comeback after one and a half year break with his new song "When I Can't Sing" that has autobiographical lyrics, said, "This is a song that only I can sing right now. It conveys my genuine feelings about how I have reached this position. I have never listened to my own song this much before and repeatedly sing by myself (laugh).

"The song "When I Can't Sing" is a title song of his Se7en's new mini album that was released on February 1. The lyrics of the song, saying, "When I can't sing, when I lose everything, when I lose my popularity, and when I have to have a different job except singer, can you still love me only because what I am?" reveals the lonely emotion of a star singer outside the stage. As soon as the song was released, it has ranked atop the various music charts in Korea, and it has ranked at a higher places on iTunes chart in America and Canada. And it has become a topic of conversation as it was written by the producer Park Jin Young of JYP Entertainment. Singers at YG Entertainment including Se7en used to sing their own songs or at least the songs that were written by their own producers within the company. Se7en gave an interview at the office building of YG Entertainment in Hapjeongdong on February 2.

Se7en said, "When I first listened to the song 'When I Can't Sing', I had a feeling of 'This is it. This is my song'. I thought that I could do very well if I can sing this song. I am a close friend of Park Jin Young, and I have always asked him to write a song for me and work together. And we have seriously considered working together right after I finished my activities with the album 'Digital Bounce' (2010). When I began preparing my next album, I asked him to write a song for me, and he made several songs for me". Actually "When I Can't Sing" was not a newly made song.It was once given to the singer Sohn Ho Young. Se7en said, "I also heard the story. Sohn Ho Young reportedly did not sing the song with some reason, and Park Jin Young actually saved the song for himself as he personally liked the song. But when I first listened to the song, I liked the lyrics and melody very much.

I thought that I might be able to present 'genuine sentiment' that Park has always emphasized if I sing this song at this moment". He explained, "I am a solo singer who has debuted ten years ago and I have experienced many things, so I can sing this song with my own genuine feelings". He looked very much satisfied with his song. Asked whether he felt difference between songs made by YG and JYP, he answered, "There is no difference depending on companies such as YG and JYP, but there is difference depending on different producers because producers have their own styles. Park Jin Young has his own style, too. The genre of this song is rhythm and blues ballad, and it has different feelings from my previous songs. I am personally very proud of the fact that I can present different colors". His album contains six songs including "When I Can't Sing". The song "Somebody Else" is an electronic pop with stylish rhythm, and the songs "Such A Person" and "Make Good Love" are R&B that is his specialty. Se7en said, "This album is completely different from my previous album 'Digital Bounce'. I become easily sick of something (laugh). I like this and that, and I am interested in many different things, so I wanted to present different and new feelings in each album. I usually released my album when I was very busy, and many people actually helped me in many ways for preparing my album, but this time, I could completely concentrate in working on my album as I have enough time. I participated in almost everything including song selection, jacket design, and concept of music video, so I am personally very much satisfied with this album".

On the day when Se7en released his new album, there was a good news in the entertainment business. It was Girls Generation's appearance on the American talk show program "David Letterman Show" on CBS which is top three broadcasting company in the USA. Se7en said, "I was very surprised to hear that news. It was such a huge achievement even though Korean news only reported it as just one of ordinary news topics. Actually even American singers cannot easily appear in the Letterman show".

Se7en was one of the leading singers who had advanced to America to find a market as a K-Pop singer. He went to America in 2007 and had various experiences while living there for three years. Even though he released his debut single "Girls" that American female rapper Lil Kim participated in featuring the song, but it could not make a commercial success. Se7en said, "I sometimes thought that what if I had had a better situation at that time like present time when K-Pop has gaining more popularity in the world, but I know that everything has something to do with a right timing. When I debuted as a solo singer in 2003, I could gain popularity as there were not many solo male singers (laugh). I do not regret about my trial for advancing to American market. I had a lot of fun at that time. I could meet many popular producers, learn dance, and meet many friends. I was actually very lucky to have such a good opportunity. Those experiences in the USA will be a good memory for me forever". But he revealed that he does not want to go to America again yet. He explained, "Of course, if I can have a good chance, I will definitely try again. But now I do not think that I can stay there for several years for preparing my activities (laugh)". Asked about his plan for this year, he answered, "I am planning various activities for my fans in Korea who have been waiting for me for a long time. I will focus on holding activities in Korea".

Se7en debuted in 2003 with his first official album entitled "Just Listen", and he has become a veteran singer with ten-year experience. How was his past ten years? Se7en said, "I have walked on a rather smooth road without any huge trouble. Some people might say, 'Se7en failed when he went to America", but I do not think that I failed at that time because I could have many valuable experiences at that time. I could have more responsibilities and I become mature after coming back from the USA. I think that I can be confident before many junior singers right now thanks to my experiences". Asked about his future goal, he answered, "I do not have any concrete goals, but I want to continue singing and dancing that I am fond of. I do not care about popularity because popularity can disappear at any time. But I do care about my appearance on the stage. I have to look fabulous on the stage. If I do not, I might need to retire right away (laugh)". Asked about his future appearance after ten years, he answered, "I will be a nice middle-aged man. I might sing better than now because usually singing ability gradually develops depending on the period of practice. The problem is dance. I want to dance very well even at the age of forty. I want to hear the evaluation from young audiences who say, 'Look at the dance of the man. His dance movement looks splendid even though he is in his forties'. I might need to try better to have that complement after ten years".