Seo Taiji and Boys

Seo Taiji and Boys has disbanded.

Seo Taiji and Boys was a trio made up of Seo Taiji, Yang Hyun-suk and Lee Juno. The group debuted in 1992 and ended its activities in 1996. Seo Taiji was the leader and main songwriter, while Yang Hyun-suk and Lee Juno led the dancing. The group is often mentioned in Korean pop music history.

Seo Taiji and Boys debuted on March 23, 1992, with the release of their first album, and their debut song was "I Know." On an MBC showcase for new talent the judges gave them a low score, yet the song and the album went on to become a great success.

Seo Taiji and Boys released a full-length album every year from 1992 to 1995, leaving four studio albums in total. The group announced its retirement in January 1996 and ended its activities. Although its career lasted only about four years, many of its songs are still talked about today.

Widely known Seo Taiji and Boys songs include "I Know" (1992), "Hayeoga" (1993), "Classroom Idea" (1994), "Dreaming of Balhae" (1994) and "Come Back Home" (1995). The genre changes a great deal from album to album, so listening in order is especially rewarding.

Seo Taiji and Boys experimented with many genres of Western popular music, including rap, rock and metal. The group helped bring rap into Korean popular music in earnest and also wrote lyrics about social themes such as the education system and Korean reunification.

"Hayeoga" is a song from the group's second album, released in 1993, and it is known for mixing a heavy metal sound with traditional Korean instruments. It is often introduced as an attempt to bring Western genres and Korean sounds together, and it remains one of the group's signature songs.

By bringing rap and many other genres into Korean popular music and writing socially critical lyrics, Seo Taiji and Boys is regarded as one of the groups that laid the foundation of modern K-pop. Its activities are also known to have influenced the debate that led to the end of music pre-censorship in 1996.

Yes. In 2017, BTS remade Seo Taiji and Boys' "Come Back Home" as part of a project marking the 25th anniversary of Seo Taiji's debut. As the song was performed again by a new generation, many younger fans also went back to discover the original recording.

Start with the debut song "I Know," then listen to "Hayeoga," "Classroom Idea," "Dreaming of Balhae" and "Come Back Home" in that order. Following the release order shows how dramatically the group's genres changed over a short period of time.

Since Seo Taiji and Boys ended its activities in 1996, the most accurate way to follow the members is through each member's own official channels. Each member works in a different field, so rely on official announcements. Please avoid spreading unconfirmed rumors or following their private lives.