Park Se-yoon (박세윤), known professionally as Crucial Star (크루셜 스타), is a highly regarded South Korean rapper, singer, and record producer celebrated for his melodic rapping style and deeply introspective lyrics. Born on October 16, 1989, in Seoul, he has been a distinctive voice in the Korean hip-hop scene since his official debut in 2010, lauded for his artistic depth and consistent musical evolution.
Early Life and Artistic Roots
Crucial Star’s immersion into the arts began at a young age, heavily influenced by his father, Park Hang-ryul, a respected painter. This creative environment nurtured his own artistic sensibilities. He began writing music at the age of 17 and took his first steps into the music world as part of the hip-hop duo Libra Twins in 2007.
His talent soon caught the attention of the influential hip-hop label Soul Company, where he became the first musician to sign through an open audition. This early period was formative, allowing him to hone his skills and collaborate with other artists before launching his solo career.
Musical Journey and Signature Style
Crucial Star officially debuted as a solo artist in 2010. He quickly distinguished himself with a sound that seamlessly blends emotive, sung hooks with poignant rap verses. His music often delves into personal narratives, exploring themes of love, heartache, dreams, and self-reflection with a raw honesty that resonates with listeners. His laid-back, smooth delivery has drawn comparisons to international artists like Drake and Kid Cudi, both of whom he has cited as influences.
Throughout his career, Crucial Star has released a prolific catalog of work, including full-length albums, numerous EPs, and singles. His debut EP, “A Star Goes Up,” was released in 2011, followed by his first full-length album, “A Star From The Basement,” in the same year. Other significant projects include the EPs “Fall,” “Drawing #2: A Better Man,” and his critically acclaimed album “Midnight.”
After the disbandment of Soul Company, he joined Grandline Entertainment and later C-JeS Studios, continuing to evolve his sound and artistic vision.
Notable Collaborations
A testament to his versatility and respect within the industry, Crucial Star has collaborated with a wide array of artists across different genres. Some of his notable collaborations include:
- Mad Clown: On the digital single “Mad Clown VS Crucial Star.”
- Dok2 and The Quiett: Featured on his early albums.
- Sojin (Girl’s Day): On the popular remake of “Three Things I Want to Give You.”
- Kim Na-young: On the hit single “Fall.”
- XIA (JYJ): On the track “Ain’t Nobody Like You.”
- Heize: He was in a public relationship with the singer and rapper for a period.
- Other collaborators include artists like Basick, Kebee, Pento, Zion.T, Brother Su, Sik-K, and Leellamarz.
Social Media Presence
Fans can connect with Crucial Star and stay updated on his work through his official social media channels:
- Instagram: @crucialstar
- YouTube: CRUCiAL STAR
Personal Life
Crucial Star is known for channeling his personal experiences into his music. His relationship with fellow artist Heize, which was public for a time, is believed to have inspired some of his songwriting during that period. While generally private, his lyrics offer a window into his thoughts on life and relationships. His artistic identity is deeply intertwined with his personal journey, making his music a candid reflection of his life.
Here is a comprehensive list of Crucial Star’s music, categorized by studio albums, EPs, and notable singles. His extensive catalog showcases his evolution as an artist and features numerous collaborations.
Studio Albums
- A Star From The Basement (2011)
- Midnight (2014)
- Maze Garden (2018)
- Serenity, Courage, Wisdom (2021)
- HERON (2024)
Mixtapes and EPs (Extended Plays)
- A Star Goes Up (2011)
- Fall (2012)
- Drawing #2: A Better Man (2013)
- Boyhood (2015)
- Drawing #3: Untitled (2016)
- Fall 2 (2016)
- starry night ’17 (2017)
- Half A Wing (2019)
- Hwaak! (2020)
- Good Night, Starry Night (2020)
- Starry Night Vibe (2020)
- Sense and Sensibility (2020)
- Gold (with QM) (2023)
- Drawing #4: A Vintage Man (2025)
Selected Singles and Collaborations
Crucial Star is a prolific singles artist and a frequent collaborator. This list highlights some of his most popular and notable tracks.
- “I Just Want U” (2010)
- “Catch Me If U Can” (2010)
- “New Generation” (feat. Pento) (2011)
- “Tonight” (feat. Satbyeol) (2011)
- “Flat Shoes” (feat. Lovey) (2012)
- “A Winter Love Song” (2013)
- “Three Things I Want to Give You” (feat. Sojin of Girl’s Day) (2014)
- “Paris” (2014)
- “Ain’t Nobody Like You” (feat. XIA of JYJ) (2016)
- “Fall” (feat. Kim Na-young) (2016)
- “You Can Rest” (쉬어도 돼) (feat. Babylon) (2017)
- “Study Abroad” (유학) (feat. Han All) (2017)
- “Singer Songwriter” (feat. Ezzy) (2018)
- “It’s a different thing to love her and make her happy” (그녀를 사랑하는 것과 행복하게 해주는 것은 별개야) (feat. Jeebanoff) (2019)
- “Hammock” (해먹) (feat. Bibi) (2019)
- “Telescope” (천체망원경) (feat. Leellamarz & msftz) (2020)
- “Ajushi” (아저씨) (with Leellamarz, QM, Kim Jae-wook, NSW Yoon, Damini) (from Show Me the Money 11) (2022)
- “Number One” (feat. Skinny Brown) (2023)
- “She” (Feat. Owen) (2025)
This list represents a significant portion of his work, but his full discography includes many more features, SoundCloud releases, and contributions to various projects.
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Park Se-yoon (박세윤), known professionally as Crucial Star (크루셜 스타), is a highly regarded South Korean rapper, singer, and record producer celebrated for his melodic rapping style and deeply introspective lyrics. Born on October 16,... Read More
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