Shin Hyo-seob (; born May 3, 1992), professionally known as Crush (), is a South Korean singer-songwriter and record producer. He debuted on April 1, 2014, with the single "Sometimes" and released his first album ''
Crush on You'' on June 5, 2014. Fifteen of Crush's singles have peaked in the top ten on the
Gaon Digital Chart
The Circle Digital Chart, previously known as the Gaon Digital Chart, is the music industry standard record chart ranking the 200 most popular singles in South Korea. It provides rankings on a weekly, monthly, and yearly basis, which is based on ...
, with ten of Crush's singles also becoming top five hits including "Just", "Beautiful", "Don't Forget", "Bittersweet", "Let Us Go", and "Rush Hour".
Life and career
Early life and career beginnings
Crush was born Shin Hyo-seob on May 3, 1992.
Raised in
Seoul
Seoul, officially Seoul Special Metropolitan City, is the capital city, capital and largest city of South Korea. The broader Seoul Metropolitan Area, encompassing Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, emerged as the world's List of cities b ...
, he began listening to
R&B and
hip hop
Hip-hop or hip hop (originally disco rap) is a popular music genre that emerged in the early 1970s from the African-American community of New York City. The style is characterized by its synthesis of a wide range of musical techniques. Hip- ...
music at a young age and aspired to become a singer.
Dynamic Duo
Dynamic duo may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music
*Dúo Dinámico (Spanish for Dynamic Duo), a Spanish musical duo formed in 1958 and one of the main precursors of pop music in Spain
*Dynamic Duo (South Korean duo)
Dynamic Duo (; ...
's debut album ''Taxi Driver'' left a "deep impression" on him, which inspired him to begin
rapping
Rapping (also rhyming, flowing, spitting, emceeing, or MCing) is an artistic form of vocal delivery and emotive expression that incorporates " rhyme, rhythmic speech, and ommonlystreet vernacular". It is usually performed over a backin ...
.
He began making music during his first year of middle school with a friend and sending
demos
Demos may refer to:
Computing
* DEMOS, a Soviet Unix-like operating system
* DEMOS (ISP), the first internet service provider in the USSR
* Demos Commander, an Orthodox File Manager for Unix-like systems
* Plural for Demo (computer programming ...
to the group's record label
Amoeba Culture
Amoeba Culture () is a South Korean record label established in 2006 by Gaeko and Choiza (of hip hop duo Dynamic Duo) and Go Kyung-min. The label is currently home to music artists Dynamic Duo, Sole, Thama, Snzae and Huh, and to music producer ...
. During this time, he experimented with jazz musical instruments in his style of music, implementing modern tunes. Nicknamed "Shi Syeob" (), he wrote the moniker "C-sub" in English as a tentative stage name. His friend misread it as "Crush", which he took an immediate liking to and decided to use.
Crush attended
Hoseo University
Hoseo University is a private Christian university with four campuses; Main Campus in Asan, South Korea, other campuses in Cheonan, South Korea, known for its large size, 3.471074 km, Dangjin, South Korea and Seoul, South Korea(Venture Grad ...
and graduated from the Department of Practical Music.
While taking a break from school, Crush sent Zion.T his demos after meeting at a hip hop party. The two became acquainted and, along with
Gray
Grey (more frequent in British English) or gray (more frequent in American English) is an intermediate color between black and white. It is a neutral or achromatic color, meaning that it has no chroma. It is the color of a cloud-covered s ...
,
Loco
Loco or El Loco may refer to:
Places United States
* Loco, Georgia, an unincorporated community
* Loco, Oklahoma, a village
* Loco, Texas, an unincorporated community
* Loco River, Puerto Rico
Elsewhere
* Loco, Switzerland, a village and for ...
, and
Elo
Elo or ELO may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* Electric Light Orchestra, a British rock music group
** ''The Electric Light Orchestra'' (album), the group's debut album
* ''Elo'', a member magazine for the Tuglas Society
Biology
* Very-long-c ...
, formed the music crew VV:D in 2012.
Crush released the single "Red Dress" featuring TakeOne on December 7, 2012. He contributed to his first song as a record producer and guest artist on
Loco
Loco or El Loco may refer to:
Places United States
* Loco, Georgia, an unincorporated community
* Loco, Oklahoma, a village
* Loco, Texas, an unincorporated community
* Loco River, Puerto Rico
Elsewhere
* Loco, Switzerland, a village and for ...
's single "No More".
In the following year, he released the singles "Crush on You" and "Where Do You Wanna Go" with Taewan and
Gary. In July 2013, Crush signed an exclusive contract with
Amoeba Culture
Amoeba Culture () is a South Korean record label established in 2006 by Gaeko and Choiza (of hip hop duo Dynamic Duo) and Go Kyung-min. The label is currently home to music artists Dynamic Duo, Sole, Thama, Snzae and Huh, and to music producer ...
.
2014–2015: Debut and rising popularity
Crush officially debuted on April 1, 2014, with a single titled "Sometimes". His first album, ''
Crush on You'', was released on June 5, 2014, and went on to win Best R&B & Soul Album at the 12th
Korean Music Awards
The Korean Music Awards () is an annual South Korean music awards show that honors both mainstream and underground musical artists from a variety of genres. Unlike other major South Korean music awards, which largely rely on record sales to de ...
. In 2014, Crush also collaborated with
Gaeko
Kim Yoon-sung (; born January 14, 1981), known professionally as Gaeko () is a South Korean rapper. He and Choiza comprise the hip hop duo Dynamic Duo, which rose to fame upon the release of their debut album ''Taxi Driver
''Taxi Driver'' ...
for the single "Hug Me". In August, he sang the OST "Sleepless Night" for the
SBS drama ''
It's Okay, That's Love
''It's Okay, That's Love'' () is a 2014 South Korean Korean drama, television series starring Zo In-sung, Gong Hyo-jin, Sung Dong-il, Lee Kwang-soo, and D.O. (entertainer), Doh Kyung-soo. It aired on Seoul Broadcasting System, SBS from July 23 t ...
''. In October, Crush released the track "Sofa".
In 2015, Crush collaborated with
Zion.T
Kim Hae-sol (; born April 13, 1989), known professionally as Zion.T (), is a South Korean hip hop and R&B singer-songwriter. He has released 2 studio albums, ''Red Light'' (2013) and ''Zip'' (2023), as well as 3 EPs. He has also been featured ...
for the single "Just". The song was released on January 30, 2015, and debuted at number one on the
Gaon Singles Chart
The Circle Digital Chart, previously known as the Gaon Digital Chart, is the music industry standard record chart ranking the 200 most popular singles in South Korea. It provides rankings on a weekly, monthly, and yearly basis, which is based on ...
. Crush and Zion.T won Best Collaboration at the 17th
Mnet Asian Music Awards
The MAMA Awards (, formerly Mnet Asian Music Awards) is a major Music award, music awards ceremony presented annually by entertainment company CJ ENM. First held in South Korea, the majority of prizes have been won by K-pop artists, although ...
. In July, Crush released the single "Oasis" which featured
Block B
Block B () is a South Korean boy band managed by KQ Entertainment, and consists of seven members: Taeil, B-Bomb, Jaehyo, U-Kwon, Park Kyung, Zico, and P.O. Block B has received several accolades, including nominations for seven Golden Disc ...
's
Zico. In November, Crush held his first solo concert, ''Crush on You''.
2016–2018: Breakthrough and widespread recognition
In January 2016, Crush released the single "Don't Forget" featuring
Girls' Generation
Girls' Generation (), also known as SNSD, is a South Korean girl group formed by SM Entertainment. The group is composed of eight members: Taeyeon, Sunny, Tiffany, Hyoyeon, Yuri, Sooyoung, Yoona, and Seohyun. Originally a nine-piec ...
's
Taeyeon
Kim Tae-yeon (; born March 9, 1989), known mononymously as Taeyeon, is a South Korean singer. She debuted as a member of girl group Girls' Generation in August 2007, which went on to become one of the best-selling artists in South Korea and one ...
. "Don't Forget" won first place on
Show Champion
''Show Champion'' () is a South Korean music television program broadcast live by MBC M every Wednesday at Bitmaru Broadcasting Center in Ilsan.
Hosts
* Shindong (February 14, 2012 – December 25, 2012)
* Hahm Eun-jung (January 30, 2013 – ...
on January 27, marking his first music show win. Crush also went on to win Best Vocal Performance - Male Solo at the 18th
Mnet Asian Music Awards
The MAMA Awards (, formerly Mnet Asian Music Awards) is a major Music award, music awards ceremony presented annually by entertainment company CJ ENM. First held in South Korea, the majority of prizes have been won by K-pop artists, although ...
.
In 2016, Crush became an active member of the hip-hop crew Fanxy Child, consisting of
Zico (rapper, producer),
Dean
Dean may refer to:
People
* Dean (given name)
* Dean (surname), a surname of Anglo-Saxon English origin
* Dean (South Korean singer), a stage name for singer Kwon Hyuk
* Dean Delannoit, a Belgian singer most known by the mononym Dean
* Dean Sw ...
(singer, producer),
Penomeco
Jeong Dong-uk (Korean: 정동욱; born October 7, 1992), better known by his stage name, Penomeco (Korean: 페노메코), is a South Korean rapper and singer-songwriter. He released his debut single ''Right There'' on October 16, 2014. He also rel ...
(rapper), Millic (DJ, producer), Staytuned (producer).
In July 2018, Crush released his third
extended play
An extended play (EP) is a Sound recording and reproduction, musical recording that contains more tracks than a Single (music), single but fewer than an album. Contemporary EPs generally contain up to eight tracks and have a playing time of 1 ...
''Wonderlost''. As with his previous projects, Crush was heavily involved in the songwriting, composition, and production of his album, stating: "I'm able to do the full production... I can make my own arrangements, and oversee the entire process."
In December 2016, Crush also released the hit OST "Beautiful" for the
tvN drama ''
Guardian: The Lonely and Great God,'' and later received a nomination for Best OST at the 19th
Mnet Asian Music Awards
The MAMA Awards (, formerly Mnet Asian Music Awards) is a major Music award, music awards ceremony presented annually by entertainment company CJ ENM. First held in South Korea, the majority of prizes have been won by K-pop artists, although ...
.
2019: Second full-length album and continued popularity
On June 4, 2019, Crush stated on his Instagram that he would be leaving Amoeba Records to start his own agency. However, on July 17, 2019, he announced that he had decided to sign with
Psy
Park Jae-sang (; born December 31, 1977), better known by his stage name Psy ( ; ), is a South Korean rapper and singer-songwriter, known domestically for his humorous music videos and stage performances and internationally for his hit singl ...
's agency, P Nation. On December 5, 2019, Crush released his critically acclaimed second full-length album ''From Midnight To Sunrise'', with "Alone" and "With You" serving as the album's double lead singles. Crush once again took control of songwriting and production for the album, and introduced
jazz
Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...
elements alongside R&B. ''From Midnight To Sunrise'' won R&B Album of the Year at the
Korean Hip-hop Awards
The Korean Hip-hop Awards (KHA; ) is an annual South Korea
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the southern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and borders North Korea along the Kor ...
.
In February 2020, Crush released the OST "Let Us Go" for the television series ''
Crash Landing on You
''Crash Landing on You'' () is a South Korean television series written by Park Ji-eun, directed by Lee Jeong-hyo, and starring Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Seo Ji-hye and Kim Jung-hyun. It aired on tvN from December 14, 2019 to February 16, 202 ...
''. In May 2020, it was announced that Crush had asked
Joy
Joy is the state of being that allows one to experience feelings of intense, long-lasting happiness and contentment of life. It is closely related to, and often evoked by, well-being, success, or good fortune. Happiness, pleasure, and gratitu ...
of
Red Velvet to feature on the lead single of his next album. The song, titled "Mayday", topped multiple music charts upon its release. On October 20, 2020, Crush released his fourth extended play ''
With Her.''
On October 31, 2022, P Nation announced that the opening of tickets reservations for Crush's upcoming tour, the Crush on You Tour, would be postponed to respect the
mourning period
A national day of mourning is a day, or one of several days, marked by mourning and memorial activities observed among the majority of a country's populace. They are designated by the national government. Such days include those marking the deat ...
established after the
Seoul Halloween crowd crush
On 29 October 2022, around 22:20, a Crowd collapses and crushes, crowd surge occurred during Halloween festivities in the Itaewon neighborhood of Seoul, South Korea, killing 159 people and wounding 196 others. The death toll includes two people ...
.
Personal life
On May 22, 2016, he participated in the Han River Space "Brain Fade Competition(멍 때리기 대회)" and won the title.
On November 12, 2020, Crush enlisted for his
mandatory military service
Conscription, also known as the draft in the United States and Israel, is the practice in which the compulsory enlistment in a national service, mainly a military service, is enforced by law. Conscription dates back to antiquity and it contin ...
. On August 11, 2022, Crush was discharged from his military service.
On August 23, 2021, Crush was confirmed to be in a relationship with singer and actress
Joy
Joy is the state of being that allows one to experience feelings of intense, long-lasting happiness and contentment of life. It is closely related to, and often evoked by, well-being, success, or good fortune. Happiness, pleasure, and gratitu ...
, whom he had collaborated with during the previous year.
Discography
Studio albums
Extended plays
Singles
As lead artist
As featured artist
Soundtrack appearances
Other charted songs
Filmography
Television shows
Awards and nominations
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Crush
1992 births
Living people
Hoseo University alumni
MAMA Award winners
Place of birth missing (living people)
Singers from Seoul
South Korean contemporary R&B singers
South Korean hip-hop singers
South Korean male pop singers
South Korean hip-hop musicians
21st-century South Korean singer-songwriters
South Korean hip-hop record producers