ne-yo!

Ne-Yo Promises to Return to Fans

American R&B Ne-Yo performs the hit song ``So Sick'' during his first solo concert at Olympic Hall, Olympic Park, Sunday. / Courtesy of All Access Entertainment By Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporter R&B star Ne-Yo promised Korean fans he'll definitely be back for another performance, after obviously being surprised at the crowd's raucous reception at his concert Sunday evening. ``Seoul is really good. I'm definitely coming back here… This is my first time here but it definitely won't be my last,'' he told the crowd at the packed Olympic Hall, Olympic Park. From the moment he came on stage, Ne-Yo had the crowd screaming and grooving to his music. Cheers erupted when he sang the worldwide number one hit, ``So Sick.'' His voice was deep and smooth, and he had a simple style, wearing khaki pants, matching vest and a navy shirt. His only ``bling'' accessory was a huge diamond-studded necklace. Ne-Yo followed up with ``Do You,'' and ``Sexy Love,'' which he dedicated to ``all the beautiful women in Korea.'' His sexy back-up dancers heated up the stage with steamy dance moves, as he sang ``Addicted.'' Since it was his first time in Seoul, Ne-Yo teased the crowd, saying he wasn't convinced everyone knew his music. He asked them to sing along if they knew the hit songs that he had written for other artists. Fortunately, the crowd recognized his songs. Ne-Yo, who started his career as a songwriter, is remembered for writing smash hits like Beyonce's ``Irreplaceable'' and Rhianna's ``Hate that I Love You.'' Before performing some of his songs, Ne-Yo liked to tell the audience what they're about. He described the ballad ``Go On Girl'' as a ``anti-love song,'' while ``Make It Work'' is about trying to make a relationship work. Toward the end of the show, Ne-Yo sang the title track from his Grammy Award-winning album ``Because of You,'' and showed some fancy footwork. He endeared himself with the audience by declaring: ``you're all officially part of my family and I love you all.'' For the encore, Ne-Yo performed ``When You're Mad,'' and gave audiences a sneak preview of a single from his upcoming album ``Year of the Gentleman.'' ``2008 will be `The Year of the Gentleman.' The new record is coming out on June 24. Be sure to get a copy," Ne-Yo said. Sean Kingston, a rising reggae artist from Jamaica, was a special guest at the concert. Before Ne-Yo hit the stage, the 18-year old singer did an excellent job of pumping up the crowd with a mix of reggae, rap and hip-hop-infused tracks. Everyone started singing along and jumping when Kingston performed the chart-topping hit ``Beautiful Girls,'' which includes sample riffs from the classic Ben E. King song ``Stand By Me.'' Korean singer Lexy also performed as the opening act for Ne-Yo. Popular girl group Wonder Girls and R&B group Big Mama also watched the concert, and had the chance to meet Ne-Yo backstage. cathy@koreatimes.co.kr