Pop singer Seo Taiji


By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

Korean pop star Seo Taiji will perform alongside international stars at his comeback at the rock music festival ETPFest 2008 (Eerie Taiji People Festival) in Seoul this August.

Heavy metal star Marilyn Manson, American alternative rock group Death Cab for Cutie and Japanese rock band Dragon Ash will also perform at the festival, Aug. 14-15.

Other performers at ETPFest include popular Korean electronica group Clazziquai, Japanese rock groups Maximum the Hormone, Monkey Majik and The Used, and Shinichi Osawa from Mondo Grosso.

The Aug. 14 concerts will be held on a special stage outside Jamsil Baseball Stadium, while the following day they move inside the venue.

This year's ETPFest is attracting a lot of attention since it will be the first time Seo has performed here in four years.

Seo started his career as lead singer of the popular group ``Seo Taiji and Boys''' in 1992. The group disbanded, but Seo continued to make music and became one of the top rock stars in the country. Despite not having released an album since 2004, Seo continues to be idolized by thousands of fans in Korea. He is preparing to release his eighth album this year.

Seo founded the ETPFest in 2001, inviting American rock bands like Hoobastank, Zebrahead and Japanese band PE'Z to perform. While previous ETPFests were mainly a showcase for Seo's music, this year's ETPFest includes more foreign artists, making it a truly international rock festival.

Tickets are 132,000 won for the two-day event. To purchase tickets, visit ticket.cjmall.com or call 1577-8888. For information, visit [ ETP FESTIVAL 2008 ].

cathy@koreatimes.co.kr