Shin Hae Chul

Shin Hae-chul is a pioneering figure in South Korea's experimental rock scene. He was born in Seoul on May 6, 1968, and studied philosophy in college before dropping out to pursue music instead. Hae-chul formed the band Muhangwedo in 1988 and quickly drew attention to his songwriting, even winning first place at the MBC Campus Music Festival later that year. After releasing his only album with the band, 우리 앞의 생이 끝나갈 때, in 1989, he kickstarted his solo career with 1990's 슬픈표정하지 말아요. Featuring a blend of rap and pop influences, the album was a hit in South Korea. Myself, his second record, followed in 1991 and enjoyed similar success, eventually earning a gold certification. Looking to explore a more aggressive sound, Shin Hae-chul formed a rock band called N.EX.T in 1992, releasing albums like Home, The Return of N.EX.T Part 1: The Being, The Return of N.EX.T Part 2: World, and Lazenca: A Space Rock Opera during the remainder of the decade. N.EX.T proved to be popular on a mainstream level, too, with the 1997 single "Here, I Stand for You" selling over 500,000 copies in South Korea alone. Under the alias "Crom," Hae-chul explored techno music with the album Crom's Techno Works in 1998. During the 2000s, he dabbled in jazz (as heard on the 2007 release The Songs For The One) and began suffering from gastrointestinal problems. While undergoing treatment, he died in a Seoul hospital on October 27, 2014, at 46 years old.

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