Artist of the Week - ERU

Sep 27, 2010

PROFILE

Real Name : Jo Sung Hyun
Date of birth : July 5th, 1983 New York
Physique : 184cm, 73kg
Education : Berkley College of Music, Dankook University School of Performing Arts
Hobbies : Playing the piano, watching movies, exercising, games
Talents : Writing song and lyrics

BIOGRAPHY
For this week, Soompi’s feautured artist is Eru. He is the son of Tae Jin-ah, one of Korea’s most renowned traditional pop singers. Eru entered the K-pop scene himself, during a break from Berkley College of Music. He underwent 2 years of strict training before releasing his debut album in 2005. Eru’s debut album included the work of top musicians such as Joo Young Hoon, Lee Hyun Jeong, the composer of Big Mama’s “Break Away” ,and vocal trainer Noh Young-joo, who also trained BoA, Fly to the Sky and Lee Soo Young.

Top session players in Korea also participated on the album along with a 100-member string orchestra. In 2006, Eru released his 2nd album entitled “LEVEL II.” That became his breakthrough album as it featured two of the biggest ballad hits in recent years: “Black Glasses” and “White Snow”. The realistic and emotional lyrics as well as beautiful melodies on Eru’s second album show a more mature side of the singer.

He was released from military duty in May 2010 after giving up his American citizenship to do his national service. During army sevices, he worked on the concept of his album and has expressed his strong attachment and confidence for his album to the public even after being discharged from the military. The title song of this album is “White Tears”, which is a sequel to his previous hit song “Black Glasses”.

It is yet another breakup story about someone shedding white tears after taking off the black glasses. It is a traditional ballad song that only Eru can sing. This song was again composed by Yoon Myung Sun, who wrote “Black Glasses”. This album also featuring Shorry J from Mighty Mouth and Joo Hee from 8eight.

DISCOGRAPHY
Purchase this album
# Begin to Breathe (1st album, 2005.09.05) : Even in the Next Life, I’m Sorry, Looking for Memories, Say It, Life, I Don’t Know, If I Can Only Go Back

# Level II (2nd album, 2006.10.09) : Black Glasses, Please Come Back to Me, I’ll Promise, With You, Just Leave, Heartache

Purchase this album
# Eru Returns (3rd album, 2007.09.20)

Purchase this album
# GOT TO BE (4th album, 2010.08) : Time (feat. Shorry J of Mighty Mouth), White Tear, Confession, After Being Late, Love Melody (KBS2TV Sons of Sol Pharmacy OST), Even If I Say I Love You Again, If Only.., Think About It (With Joohee of 8Eight), I Hate You, Love Me Even If We Separate, I Believe In Love (KBS2TV Sons of Sol Pharmacy OST)