Here Comes “Dragon” KANG SEULGI!

https://kpopping.com/kpics/Red-Velvet-Chill-Kill-Concept-Teasers

💡Friendly Reminder: Fan Writer SubmissionThis article was created by a Fan Writer and posted without edits, according to our guidelines. Views expressed are solely those of the Fan Writer and not representative of Kpopmap.

What comes to mind when you hear about Kang SeulGi? An ace? All-rounder? Dancing machine? Red Velvet’s charisma? Or maybe bear “ddeulgi”? It’s crazy how all the above fits the description of one person! While SeulGI might not be born in the year of the dragon (but on the 10 of February 1994, year of the dog), she does embody the characteristics of one. Dragons are known to be mystical and majestic creatures, that symbolize royalty or duality between chaos and good. In celebration of SeulGi’s birthday, let’s look at her achievements and memorable stages.

SeulGi is Red Velvet’s ace and dancing machine. Numerous dance instructors and critics have named SeulGi as one of the best dancers to ever grace the K-pop industry. It is such a pleasure to see SeulGi do dance breaks with her clean body lines, movements executed with accurate precision, and elegance. Choreographers have consistently mentioned that a person’s skill in dancing is not just seen in pure “hardcore, fast, and powerful choreography”, but rather in a dancer’s ability to control their movements with fluidity, the right speed, and power according to the song’s rhythm. You would be surprised that slow choreographies are one of the toughest to master, and perform with skill on stage. Did we mention that SeulGi knows tutting too? A dance technique based on angular movements of the body, which mimics ancient Egyptian art. Majority of performers have avoided this type of choreography in their dance routine, because it’s difficult to master. To date, there are only a handful of performers that can execute tutting that is aesthetically pleasing to the eye. 

Another amazing thing about SeulGi’s dancing capabilities is her versatility in executing different genres of choreography. Much to Luvies’ delight, SeulGi has uploaded multiple dance covers that has a different and distinct style compared to what she dances with Red Velvet. Be it precise and sharp choreography like tutting, hard and powerful boy group dance moves, or maybe freestyle (like her collaboration stage with Korea’s ‘Madonna’, Kim WanSun,), SeulGi nailed it every time. Although it might have been unintentional as SeulGi mentioned when she was asked about it, her outfits always seem to fit the occasion whenever she films these dance challenges. If there’s anyone that artists would like to call to film a dance challenge, SeulGi is at the top of the list! 

Wendy is Red Velvet’s backbone when it comes to music and who else better to keep up with her vocals than fellow ‘94-liner’, Kang SeulGi! Initially, SeulGi wanted to debut as a vocalist when she started training under SM Rookies, however just like everyone else, our ace experienced a slump, and “lost her voice”. Therefore, SeulGi dedicated more efforts into perfecting her dancing technique to eventually debut as Red Velvet’s main dancer (and lead vocalist)! SeulGi regained her confidence and especially after debuting in critically acclaimed “vocal powerhouse group”, Red Velvet, her vocals are to be reckoned with in the industry. She, alongside Wendy and Joy, are affectionately known as Red Velvet’s “Team Rocket”, that handles most of Red Velvet’s rich and dynamic discography. SeulGi’s strong foundation in vocal training has paid off, allowing her to cover a wide range of music genres, such that majority of artists always call her for a collaboration on their solo projects! These include: “Super Junior’s Yesung, Zion. T, SHINee’s Taemin, GOT7’s Bam Bam, and MAMAMOO’s Moonbyul! It’s an impressive list of artists that SeulGi has collaborated with so far!

Did you know the only soloist to earn the title of “Female Soloists with the Most Number 1s on iTunes Album Chart 2022 alongside, Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, is actually Kang SeulGi? That’s a remarkable and amazing feat! SeulGi literally “chill kill(ed)” the entertainment industry when she dropped her solo album 28 Reasons (with the title track of the same name). Not only did she win a Bonsang award at the 2023 K Global Heart Dream Awards, she earned a 5-star review rating from NME! Everyone knows how hard it is to get a 5-star rating from NME themselves, but SeulGi did it with her solo album! SeulGi’s lyrics even managed to pass SM Entertainment’s notorious double-blind test and was accepted for her album’s song track titled “Dead Man Runnin’”! Other songs included in her award-winning album are: “Bad Boy, Sad Girl (feat. BeO)”, “Anywhere But Home”, “Los Angeles”, and “Crown”. SeulGi was very much involved in the making of her album from the trailer concept, mood samplers, teasers, and finally the music video itself. In the words of fellow band member, Wendy, SeulGi’s album concept design and overall performance exploring good and evil is probably a first for K-pop. It’s a cinematic feast!

Seulgi – ‘28 Reasons’ review: Red Velvet star stuns on intoxicating solo debut

While we are on the topic of ‘all-rounder’, did you know that SeulGi is an artist as well? She admits that she did drawing as a hobby and was not taught officially. Maybe it’s precisely that reason, SeulGi’s art pieces give a breath of fresh air to it. She created the artworks herself for her album in 28 Reasons and even participated as one of the celebrities to draw famous panda, Fubao, at the Bao House! SeulGi’s artistic flair has caught people’s attention, that she was even previously invited to translate “Art Gallery By My Side”, a collection of 35 artworks by Shana Gozansky, surrounding the themes of love, happiness, and sleep! Luvies (Red Velvet’s fandom) were in for a treat as we are offered a glimpse into SeulGi’s thought process with her reinterpretations of famous art pieces. Additionally, SeulGi has published a poster book that contained all her artworks, detailed with her personal commentaries. As if SeulGi isn’t busy enough, she loves photography, especially taking pictures of her daily adventures with her film camera! It did not go unnoticed, because SeulGi was chosen as an ambassador for Adobe Photoshop in Korea! Is there a particular field that our all-rounder hasn’t touched yet? 

Recent video fan calls with Red Velvet for their latest comeback with Chill Kill is offering Luvies a glimpse of hope for potentially another acting project from SeulGi. Thus far, only Irene, Joy, and Yeri have acted in films or K-dramas. To date, SeulGi’s main acting credit comes from web-variety program “Idol Drama Operation Team”. SeulGi has hinted to Luvies that she might have a solo acting gig of some sorts in the future, and told us to wait for it. She is asking for the impossible, especially with her recent stellar acting skills on full display with 28 Reasons and Chill Kill recently. The wait is unbearable for SeulGi’s endeavor into the acting industry like her fellow band mates. I am sure Luvies are seated for it!

Not only does SeulGi have artistic taste, but she is also a fashion icon, and trendsetter too! Numerous articles have been written about SeulGi’s trending fashion for not just her official schedules, but even in her daily life! She has graced numerous fashion brand events that include: MaxMara, Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, Onitsuka Tiger’s collaboration with Astro Boy, and Maison Margiela. That is an extensive list, what a brand reputation that SeulGi holds! She has been invited once more to New York’s Fashion Week on 14th February 2024! The previous time she was cordially invited by Peter Do, himself, was back in September of 2022. SeulGi is the definition of class in her own right and we can’t wait for her to strut through New York’s Fashion Week soon!

Lastly, if there’s one thing, we absolutely love about SeulGi is her amazing dynamics with each individual member of Red Velvet. Everyone is probably aware that SeulGi is very observant of her members and matches her vibe with them. She is attentive to their needs and is an irreplaceable asset in Red Velvet. SeulGi and Irene are one of the best duo and subunits in K-pop! Irene is the best candidate to keep up with dance machine, Kang SeulGi, especially with their subunit debut with mini album titled Monster with 2 title tracks “Monster” and “Naughty”. SeulGi and Irene are one of the few trainees that remained in SM Rookies for the longest time. They are each other’s comfort and companion through thick and thin. They are each other’s person.

Business friends? Best friends? Probably both. That’s Red Velvet’s Wendy and Seulgi’s interesting dynamic, especially since they are born only a couple days apart! The are the “94-liners” of Red Velvet. They may not like living with each other (as confirmed by both), they prank and bicker with each other, but they can’t live without each other. I mean…they literally had their Lasik surgery together and are equally goofy with each other. This duo combination probably throws some of the most hilarious banter and jokes in Red Velvet. Their friendship also gifted us with, Wendy continuously improving her dancing skills from one of SM Entertainment’s best dancers ever and SeulGi getting vocal directions from arguably the best vocalist of the 3rd generation in K-pop. Who else would be better to do a duet with Wendy titled “Best Friend” other than SeulGi?

Put SeulGi and Joy in one frame and you probably would get one of the most elegant and sexiest duos on this earth (I am serious). If you have doubts, please watch Red Velvet’s R to V concert, especially “Beg For Me”. SeulGi is the ever caring “unnie” that Joy always looks up to since their early trainee days. SeulGi has probably one of the most affectionate skinships with Joy in Red Velvet. SeulGi once mentioned that she really admires Joy’s perspective and way of looking at things in life. Joy is a very deep thinker and brings a lot of unique outlooks to things in life that SeulGi finds fascinating herself. Joy even helped SeulGi by giving her practical tips on how to cry on set for her solo album (and wrote long, motivational text messages to SeulGi).  

People always say Irene is the “mom” of Red Velvet (especially to our maknae, Yeri). If Irene is the mom, SeulGi is Yeri’s “dad” in Red Velvet for sure. You would always find SeulGi playing and teasing Yeri all the time, which is endearing to see. Yeri once stated that SeulGi is always her go-to buddy whenever they wanted to hang out over the weekends. Both even live a few blocks away from each other, making it easy for them to meet up, and talk. It’s testimony to how approachable and patient SeulGi is, because majority of the time, she’s always the source of laughter for Yeri. Although Yeri will be the ‘maknae’ of Red Velvet forever, she has grown up, and at times can be more mature than her other members as SeulGi said, providing wonderful companionship and source of support to her ‘unnies’. 

Here Comes “Dragon” KANG SEULGI!
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fid.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2Fred-velvet-yermseul-seulgi-yeri-in-2023--670684569528256365%2F&psig=AOvVaw04WEEFneiu3-HUY3EDKhF0&ust=1707273882517000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBUQjhxqFwoTCLidzYDZlYQDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAJ

We can go on forever to talk about SeulGi, we can even make an entire documentary about her, and it wouldn’t be enough to describe how brilliant she is. With her upcoming birthday party that will have 2000 lucky Luvies in attendance, her performance with Irene covering TVXQ’s discography on Immortal Songs, her appearance on New York’s Fashion Week, a potential acting schedule, and her 2 most recent original soundtrack participation on Unexpected Business with song titled “Polaroid” and Dr. Slump’s “In My Memory”, Luvies are in for a ride. So, sit tight, and watch SeulGi achieve more in this new dragon year! Happy Birthday SeulGi! 

* Disclaimer: The articles by Fan Writers are unique and creative expressions that are independent from Kpopmap's opinions. We encourage diverse viewpoints and the freedom of expression from our fan community.

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