Se7en’s appearance at the sub par club, Hiro Ballroom yesterday was a desperate cry for the attention he is used to receiving in the motherland.
But instead of seizing the opportunity, he squandered it by granting the press very little face time which he used to regurgitate some tired rhetoric. His brief interviews were conducted only with the Korean and Japanese press because, he commented, his English requires more work.
After being whisked off to the closed off VIP area, only to surround himself with a choice selection of females, it became clear that Se7en’s investment in the event was limited to alcohol and groupies.
When the soon to debut artist finally took the main stage, it was to recite a brief and obviously rehearsed spiel of easy to pronounce words. And after this attempt to garner hype for his debut, tracks from his new album were played for the crowd via CD, not quite the live showcase we were expecting*. The audience’s reaction was scant, borderline pathetic, to the highly publicized collaborations with Three 6 Mafia, Fabolous, and hitmaker Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins.
It remains unclear how Se7en’s American debut will play out, especially with his lack of confidence and fluency in English. But based on what we witnessed last night, successful integration into the US market seems unlikely, if not impossible.
*Please note that this was based on POPSEOUL!’s expectation. BaseNYC, the promoter of the party stated that Se7en was “hosting” the party.
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i dunno what people are talking about but i thought the party was awesome and i’m not even familiar with se7en. I just went cause my friend wanted to go and i must say his songs were pretty catchy. this is just the beginning and im sure he has alot more to offer us (hopefully).
Woah! Has anyone read the long, fully punctuated letters sent from Se7en’s minions??? Geez, someone needs to learn to BLEND IN! If your gonna control americans, u better learn to do it in english, your minions stink at english. Sure its perfectly punctuated, and has proper english…and if used at school will get better marks than me…but seriously. You cant walk up to a dude in NYC and go “Excuse me sir, but you have not the authority to be calling Se7en these rude names. Please sincerely apologize to the kind gentleman” Because
1) Se7en isn’t all that gentleman anymore
2) People will think your a stuckup ass and beat u up (no offense NYC)
3) Because that is just plain WACK (I apologize for saying “WACK”)
So just suck it up and accept the facts. That picture doesn’t make him look good at all, it makes him look greasy, pimply, and absolutely NORMAL. There is nothing special about him! He is debuting in America, but the only english I hear coming from his mouth are either written in his lyrics (probably by a translator) or gangsta speak. As a full fledged Asian-Canadian, I say he needs to take a step in the real world. If he had taken the time to look around, he would see nerds being beaten up (thats me ^^) cool kids hanging by a wall, and populars talking on cellphones and chatting about clothes (Sorry about the stereotypes)
He needs to change! He needs to learn that news is news and he cant change peoples opinion.
“go back to korea because ESLs will never hangout with the cool kids”
how ignorant.
its ok to criticize seven or certain individuals but don’t generalize about other people. am i to assume that you’re one of the “cool kids”? if i were an ESL student i definitely would not want to hang out with you, i don’t care how “cool” you think you are. please don’t categorize people. how is it any different from racism? if you have something to say about someone, say it – and leave it at that. and don’t start trying to say that u didn’t mean it that way because you should have been more careful with your words, there’s no excuse with that.
even popseoul doesn’t say such rude things about people. sure, they don’t hold back on celebs, but they know where to draw the line between celebs and the common people.
It’s OK for a Popstar to have an Accent, as long as the star doesn’t try to speak in “hip speak,” “slang,” or “gangsta” because it just ends up sounding ridiculous.
Foreign stars who have talent will be respected if they speak properly and intelligently, and don’t say “Ya’ll” please.
Many rap stars and pop stars in America speak properly. they are usually the ones who gain respect in interviews.
I hope Rain and Se7en do their best to speak English like adult professionals, it will get them far. Accents are cool, affectated slang and ghetto vernacular accents are not cool.
funny.. no offenxe linguist.. but have you heard Snoop Dog lately? how about T-Pain? teen wonder Kingston!? I’m pretty sure there were a lot of “y’all’s” and “aint’s” and I don’t know what else..
seems like nelson from rainstorm needs to attend a few esl classes himself…he should really consider hiring a qualified copywriter to generate public posts.
HAHAHAHAHAHA THIS IS SO FUNNY!
SE7EN CAN’T HANDLE PEOPLE MAKING FUN OF HIM! (or talking about their opinion)
IT’S JUST THEIR OWN OPINION FOR SE7EN’S SAKE. HAHAHA
IT’S FUNNY THAT SE7EN IS PRETTY PISSED OFF WITH YOUR GUYS ARTICLE THOUGH! HAHAHA WELL DONE POPSEOUL,
but stop taking the piss out RAIN! damn! it wasn’t his fault about LA concert, was it?
i can see popseoul become quite famous site…
good luck
I notice that most Korean pronounce English words with a strong unnecessary ‘r’. It is probably because the strong emphasis on ‘r’ in American English and they thought they had to ‘r’ it in order to sound like they are speaking the language. On the other hand, English English is more smooth and the ‘r’ is only very lightly pronounced. I believe it is easier for Asian to learn English English than American English.
I think Rain and Ste7en should consider learning the proper English, i.e. English English. It will do them good in the long run. In my opinion, if you can speak English English, it adds more weight to your ‘respectability’ and ‘coolness’. Just my opinion.
I like Se7en’s songs but not exactly a fan….
I wonder why all asian artists wants to go to USA & make it there? They shld concentrate on markets tat r more open to their talents like Japan, Asia, China – these areas already represent more than 1 billion potential fans, compared to US. If it’s abt d exposure – well, being a STAR like Angelina Jolie or Madonna requires smthg most asia artists lack – PERSONALITY
Se7en, i hope to hear new songs frm u but i wish u wld just forget abt the whole US thing. U don nd everybody to hear u. Esp when ur personality gets buried under ur mgmt co, promoters, manager n d whole entourage. If u really wanna make it, fire d stupid ple who caused all tis n show urself to the public – tats if u actually has smthg to show n cn relay tat in English.
If nt, korea & asia will still luv ya for ur work.
LOL 256 comments. Is this a new record?
lets hit 300 comments!!!
hahaha
Nelson – what makes a negative review a BAD review that “deserves to be in the trash”?
Do us all a favor and get your head out of the clouds. This is reality. If you think that It’ll pat you on the head and throw money at you, you’re severely mistaken.
Tell us WHAT about the event was NOT disappointing?
You’re basically telling us to be blind, devotional fans that’ll praise Se7en even if he shaves his head or has a sex change. Believe it or not, some of us are actually logical, thinking HUMANS, not fawning drones.
Give me a break. Everything about your post was ridiculous.
It’s sad that you think that THIS quality of promotion will get Se7en anywhere in the US music industry.
This is disappointing. I had high hopes for Se7en. Even more than Rain or Boa. He better get better promoters/managers quickly, or he won’t be going anywhere but back to Korea.
I’m an avid supporter of my beloved Se7en, but this Nelson guy rides my nerves. So what if Popseoul went to the party and said it sucked? They are supposed to express their opinions, hello, it’s a blog site. Just because you gave them tickets, you can’t make them write a flattering review if they didn’t think it was. That sounds like you want to make a “deal” with them. I’ll give you tickets only if you bypass your own opinions and write what I want you to. Not going to happen, Nelson. Why get an ulcer over a “teen” blog site anyway? In your career, you are going to make mistakes. Get over it.
lol – the guy sounds quite high and mighty doesn’t he…
I think pretty much everything you have said was meant to sound that what you’re doing in really in the goodness of the fans and everything else without any ulterior motive.
Granted there is probably a shred of truth somewhere but I have little doubt that 99% of what you have said was done or said because there was an ulterior motive – to make a profit.
I hate saying what I’m saying because it’s so damned obvious to many other and to yourself.
For a promoter (I think thats what your are), what you have done is quite stupid. You’re either poorly educated in the ways of marketing or you were simply drunk when you wrote what you wrote and if it’s latter, then I accept your apology.
But if it’s the first, let me point out to you that one should be able to capitalise on every opportunity available to one. Rather than bring out the harsh critcism, perhap in hindsight, it would have been wise for you to comment in a less fanatical manner. It really only brings out the bad things.
As for your threats in not issuing press passes, who honestly points that out in the public? That’s kinda stupid. If I were a promoter, I’d simply leave that part out and honor my commitments in silence.
Overall, you could have handled this situation better than what you have without compromising your true goal.
Pretty much speaking, I’m not going to go into the stupid debate of whether the event was a success or not, I’m just gonna focus on your handling of the situation because that’s the part that most important because it is current and still has an influence on the event. Anyone can debate about history but it’s those who can affect history that’s important and buddy,you fucked up your role.
Pretty much one word summarise your effort: STUPID. Learn and move on STUPID.
Duh Nelson, if you wanted happy press and rainbow reviews, you guys shouldn’t have invited Popseoul. They DO either only ridicule or put facts out. And that’s why I read them. DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUH!
Being a fan does not give you an open ended ok to say what you please and do what you please without regard to anyone else or anything else.
Well, you idiot, of course we can! We’re the ones who decide, we’re the ones who will end up shelling out money to buy merchandise. Your artists are NOTHING without us. Capiche?
And so you invited Popseoul over to the event- it doesn’t mean they can’t write that they really think about it. I mean, that’s what reviews are for, right?
freakin bashers…
Nelson, for all your long winded responses….you’re not very bright.
noodles>
er, ur ‘énglish english’ wld b the Queen’s English, as in the english spoken by most in the motherland of English, England i.e. UK.
However, i guess to some entertainers they tink its more “cool” to go like “ÿo yo yo” or insert words like “ho” for street cred. sadly, by aiming for the us mkt i guess d mgmt co jus decided to take the lowest common denominator as the shining example of caucasians or western countries
Unimpressive or not, I think there are more tactful ways of putting into words.
wow, so many comments.
i wasn’t there unfortunately as i live in Australia.
I’m sure Se7en has heaps of potential to make it into the U.S music industry. I hope everyone doesn’t think of him as an Asian dude that only speaks “engrish”
top producers and artist have worked with se7en so I’m pretty sure we are bound to hear some good tunes from his tracks. as for promotions and so forth after the album hits, I hope Se7en can speak decent english coz man, he’ll get OWNED if he don’t
Hiro is a third tier club in NYC. Anybody who isn’t trashy and or poor knows that Hiro is where you go if you get rejected from all the real Meatpacking District clubs. And even then, it’s preferable to drive up a few blocks to 27th street. And then even second tier places like Marquee wouldn’t allow Se7en or JYP to host their afterparties there.
Can someone explain to me what Homeless meant by “As a non Asian who has very little chance of going to Korea, I really appreciate your company’s efforts for overseas fans.”
Excuse moi…
I aint sayin your name. but are you calling se7en FAT???
Give the dude a break…
he got so many bad comments nah. you will still give him a bad face??
Ay DIOSMIO!!!
That Nelson guy is a total idiot and hypocrite. I can’t believe he keeps replying to these posts. All he does is tarnish and turn me off to Se7en and his company.
FYI, Popseoul and readers do ACTUALLY know what we’re talking because we ARE, after all, the average American viewer and listener. We know good and modern American artists when we see them because we’re the ones who BUY and SUPPORT their music and who keep up with the latest hits. Popseoul has a love-hate relationship with celebrities, just as ALMOST every American does (w/ the exception of obsessed fans who don’t count).
If Se7en came out with a great hit and he really appealed to our mainstream music, of course we would support him. What part of this don’t you get?? We are more critical of him BECAUSE we know that breaking into the market will be 50 times harder for a foreigner, which means Se7en and other Korean artists need to work 100 times harder. That’s with every minority in America. America isn’t like Korea, where its praise after praise and overrating every single celebrity there except the really talented ones. We have MINDS OF OUR OWN. Honestly, Korean artists are NOT doing enough. The expectations in Korea compared with America are like two different worlds. It’ll be a total waste of time just to fail at it and an embarrassment to Korean-Americans.
When people are critical and pointing out the faults of others, it’s not only for entertainment but to show all the things you’re lacking or can improve. Why are YOU guys so negative and bitter about mere criticism. This is NOTHING compared to professional music critics and American sites. WHY can’t YOU turn this into a more positive experience or construct, no matter how much you feel personally attacked?? That’s what any smart and professional artist or company would do.
Your assesment of Se7en not granting interviews with the media except for Korean and Japanese is no different from NBA basketball sensation Yao Ming. Why approach the media when U.S media when your English is not that good. You just open yourself up to more criticism. About the songs played, they actually sounded like Se7en’s style. I have been a Se7en fan since the beginning. And no I am not a part of his camp. Just a true fan that will support his U.S. debut. You should do more to promote Se7en as an Asian Artist then to knock him down. You must be a Se7en hater. There is no better artist from Asia to try and break into the U.S. Market.
hmm… this is interesting. anyone can blog with whatever name they want.
are we sure the ‘nelson lee’ who posted is really from the management agency?
it seems too foolish for someone with such a position like his within a management company to post words like stated above. they are too careless and tactless. even a teenager can tell those woulds would outrage popseoul and its readers.
^^ haha, so i was right. point made. apparently you really can be whoever you want when you reply on popseoul.
in my perspective, whoever wrote the first two comments under the name ‘Nelson Lee from Rainstone Live / Swerve Media’ was either trying to piss popseoul and its readers off, or was trying to tarnish se7en’s reputation.
i’m kind of disappointed that popseoul even wrote an official blog in response to that comment.
it isn’t even an official statement.
if it is, then can you consider this to be one from the company?
i can call myself se7en and stuff words into his mouth through a comment with the press of a button and it seems like half the people here will believe me.
popseoul and readers, be more careful. there is a reason management companies release OFFICIAL STATEMENTS.
commenting in response to a blog is NOT one. *sigh* is it just me, or are people too quick to judge and believe? exercise some critical thinking, please.
wat the……. i cant believe that this is even an issue
no entertainment company would tarnish their reputation by going onto a BLOG and saying those things and ‘capishe’??? COME ON! what kind of person that is from a ‘professional music company’ would write that? who would BELIEVE that a pro person would write that after they saw that word?
popseoul should never haven even written a new blog based on this supposed nelson man….
sometimes you just got to think before you actually DO
Reading some of the comments makes me really wonder about some of the American music listening audience. I am an American and listen predominantly to C-pop and K-pop because there is little to nothing worth listening to in the states save National acts like Far East Movement and a few groups out of LA like DDL Roundhouse, Burning Tree Project and Putnam Hall. The state of music in America is absolutely horrible! It is my hope that musicians out of Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and China can make an impact here. It is about time the Asian entertainment community makes an impact on the US Market- lord knows there are many talented folks out there who are from here (Van Ness Wu and Stanley Huang are two such talented gents who come to mind- they are both from the LA area born and raised- and Wang LeeHom who is from NY originally, graduate of Berkley) and go abroad to make it because of the complete lack of support and opportunity here in the states for Asian artists. One hour’s viewing of a network like MTV or BET can show the talentless bimbos and thugs who are the ‘music scene’ in America. If US record Companies continue on with promoting such talentless hacks as Miley Cyrus, Britney Spears and 50 Cent, whose only claim to fame is a buncha PR from the brainless media machine in the states, they will continue in their downward spiral of lack of sales and go under- and perhaps it is actually a good thing if they did- maybe then the recording industry would have to take a second look at themselves and reorganize things to where the talent and music come first cuz their bottom line, the almighty dollar, will be null. The fact sales are so down in the states should give them a clue- and it obviously hasn’t and doesn’t. The only saving graces in popular American music today are folks like Justin Timberlake and 36 Mafia and maybe Shania Twain… most of what is played on the radio is complete and utter rubbish. Personally, I’d rather listen to something like Se7en’s 24/7 in which the music is excellent and the performance above par even tho I don’t understand the language than have to hear things like Soulja Boy 50 times a day. Get with it America- there is alot more out there than just your closed view of what popular music is or should be- and it is also past time the Asian community has some REAL representation in the market- not just some fly by night novely like William Hung ( who is a total embarrassment)who has no talent at all and makes the Asian community a laughing stock. I really hope Se7en makes it here, as well as Rain should he return again- and help kick down the invisible barrier the recording industry claims is non existant. There is a market for them and other artists of their ilk, if only the media outlets out there ( IE: MTV and that sort) would take the time to help promote them. I wish Se7en, and all who come after him to the USA all the best and hope to see them live someday- which, by the way, I saw Rain when he was here- awesome is the only word to describe the show…
why does he try really hard in debuting in the US when he doesn’t even know how to speak English yet? man that is so pathetic..
as an American, if he wants to make it big, its not his music that needs improving, its his record label. YG needs to partner with people more noticeable in the US, like, Warner, Sony-BMG, EMI, even Disney, anyone who has that “American influence” can really help him out.