# Crush (singer)

Shin Hyo-seob (Korean: 신효섭; born May 3, 1992), professionally known as Crush (크러쉬), is a South Korean singer-songwriter and record producer. He debuted on April 1, 2014, with the single "Sometimes" and released his first album Crush on You on June 5, 2014. Fifteen of Crush's singles have peaked in the top ten on the Gaon Digital Chart, with ten of Crush's singles also becoming top five hits including "Just", "Beautiful", "Don't Forget", "Bittersweet", "Let Us Go", and "Rush Hour".

## Life and career
### Early life and career beginnings

Crush was born Shin Hyo-seob on May 3, 1992. Raised in Seoul, he began listening to R&B and hip hop music at a young age and aspired to become a singer. Dynamic Duo's debut album Taxi Driver left a "deep impression" on him, which inspired him to begin rapping. He began making music during his first year of middle school with a friend and sending demos to the group's record label Amoeba Culture. During this time, he experimented with jazz musical instruments in his style of music, implementing modern tunes. Nicknamed "Shi Syeob" (시셥), he wrote the moniker "C-sub" in English as a tentative stage name. His friend misread it as "Crush", which he took an immediate liking to and decided to use. Crush attended Hoseo University and graduated from the Department of Practical Music.
While taking a break from school, Crush sent Zion.T his demos after meeting at a hip hop party. The two became acquainted and, along with Gray, Loco, and Elo, formed the music crew VV:D in 2012.
Crush released the single "Red Dress" featuring TakeOne on December 7, 2012. He contributed to his first song as a record producer and guest artist on Loco's single "No More". In the following year, he released the singles "Crush on You" and "Where Do You Wanna Go" with Taewan and Gary. In July 2013, Crush signed an exclusive contract with Amoeba Culture.

### 2014–2015: Debut and rising popularity

Crush officially debuted on April 1, 2014, with a single titled "Sometimes". His first album, Crush on You, was released on June 5, 2014, and went on to win Best R&B & Soul Album at the 12th Korean Music Awards. In 2014, Crush also collaborated with Gaeko for the single "Hug Me". In August, he sang the OST "Sleepless Night" for the SBS drama It's Okay, That's Love. In October, Crush released the track "Sofa".
In 2015, Crush collaborated with Zion.T for the single "Just". The song was released on January 30, 2015, and debuted at number one on the Gaon Singles Chart. Crush and Zion.T won Best Collaboration at the 17th Mnet Asian Music Awards. In July, Crush released the single "Oasis" which featured Block B's Zico. In November, Crush held his first solo concert, Crush on You.

### 2016–2018: Breakthrough and widespread recognition

In January 2016, Crush released the single "Don't Forget" featuring Girls' Generation's Taeyeon. "Don't Forget" won first place on Show Champion on January 27, marking his first music show win. Crush also went on to win Best Vocal Performance - Male Solo at the 18th Mnet Asian Music Awards.
In 2016, Crush became an active member of the hip-hop crew Fanxy Child, consisting of Zico (rapper, producer), Dean (singer, producer), Penomeco (rapper), Millic (DJ, producer), Staytuned (producer).
In July 2018, Crush released his third extended play Wonderlost. As with his previous projects, Crush was heavily involved in the songwriting, composition, and production of his album, stating: "I'm able to do the full production... I can make my own arrangements, and oversee the entire process."
In December 2016, Crush also released the hit OST "Beautiful" for the tvN drama Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, and later received a nomination for Best OST at the 19th Mnet Asian Music Awards.

### 2019: Second full-length album and continued popularity

On June 4, 2019, Crush stated on his Instagram that he would be leaving Amoeba Records to start his own agency. However, on July 17, 2019, he announced that he had decided to sign with Psy's agency, P Nation. On December 5, 2019, Crush released his critically acclaimed second full-length album From Midnight To Sunrise, with "Alone" and "With You" serving as the album's double lead singles. Crush once again took control of songwriting and production for the album, and introduced jazz elements alongside R&B. From Midnight To Sunrise won R&B Album of the Year at the Korean Hip-hop Awards.
In February 2020, Crush released the OST "Let Us Go" for the television series Crash Landing on You. In May 2020, it was announced that Crush had asked Joy of Red Velvet to feature on the lead single of his next album. The song, titled "Mayday", topped multiple music charts upon its release. On October 20, 2020, Crush released his fourth extended play With Her.
On October 31, 2022, P Nation announced that the opening of tickets reservations for Crush's upcoming tour, the Crush on You Tour, would be postponed to respect the mourning period established after the Seoul Halloween crowd crush.

## Personal life

On November 12, 2020, Crush enlisted for his mandatory military service. On August 11, 2022, Crush was discharged from his military service.
On August 23, 2021, Crush was confirmed to be in a relationship with singer and actress Joy, whom he had collaborated with during the previous year.

## Discography
### Studio albums

| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
| Title | Album details | KOR | Sales |
| Crush on You | Released: June 5, 2014 Label: Amoeba Culture Formats: CD, digital download | 6 | KOR: 4,983 |
| From Midnight to Sunrise | Released: December 5, 2019 Label: P Nation, Dreamus Formats: CD, digital download Track listing "From Midnight to Sunrise" "Wake Up" (featuring Dean) "Wonderlust" (featuring Band Wonderlust) "With You" "Alone" "Tiki-Taka" (featuring DPR Live) "Sunset" "Butterfly" "Ibiza" "Cloth" "Sleep No More" "Nighty Night" (featuring Zion.T) | 19 | KOR: 5,404 |
| Wonderego | Released: November 14, 2023 Label: P Nation, Dreamus Formats: CD, digital download Track listing "New Day" "Hmm-cheat" "No Break" (featuring Dynamic Duo) "Me Myself & I" "Satisfied" (featuring Penomeco) "Deep End" (featuring Amaka) "EZPZ" "Nothing Else" (featuring Kim Ximya) "Got Me Got U" "Bad Habits" (featuring Lee Hi) "Ego" "Ego's Theme - Interlude" "A Man Like Me" "Monday Blues" "You" "She" "Harness" "For Days to Come" "Remember Me" | 21 | KOR: 7,489 |

### Extended plays

| Title | EP details | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Sales |
| Title | EP details | KOR | US World | Sales |
| Interlude | Released: May 6, 2016 Label: Amoeba Culture Formats: CD, digital download Track listing In the Air woo ah 9 to 5 (Feat. Gaeko) Castaway (feat. MISO) Dust | 13 | 14 | KOR: 2,894 |
| Wonderlust | Released: October 14, 2016 Label: Amoeba Culture Formats: CD, Digital download Track listing wonderlust 2411 nostalgia Fall Like My Father | 8 | — | KOR: 2,193 |
| Wonderlost | Released: July 13, 2018 Label: Amoeba Culture Formats: CD, digital download Track listing Chill (feat. Sik-K) Endorphin (feat. Penomeco & Punchnello) Cereal (feat. Zico) Close Your Eyes (feat. Hoody) RYO (feat. CIFIKA & Byung Un) | 18 | 10 | KOR: 3,440 |
| With Her | Released: October 20, 2020 Label: P Nation Formats: CD, digital download | 21 | — | KOR: 6,607 |

### Singles
#### As lead artist

| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Sales | Album |
| Title | Year | KOR | Sales | Album |
| "Red Dress" | 2012 | — | — | Non-album singles |
| "Crush on You" | 2013 | — | — | Non-album singles |
| "Where Do You Wanna Go" (어디 갈래) (with Gary, Taewan) | 2013 | 20 | — | Non-album singles |
| "Sometimes" (가끔) | 2014 | 8 | KOR: 490,326 | Crush on You |
| "Hug Me" (featuring Gaeko) | 2014 | 10 | KOR: 473,724 | Crush on You |
| "Sofa" | 2014 | 26 | KOR: 338,947 | Non-album singles |
| "Just" (그냥) (with Zion.T) | 2015 | 1 | KOR: 1,271,279 | Non-album singles |
| "Oasis" (featuring Zico) | 2015 | 5 | KOR: 851,365 | Non-album singles |
| "Don't Forget" (잊어버리지마) (featuring Taeyeon) | 2016 | 2 | KOR: 2,500,000 | Non-album singles |
| "9 to 5" (featuring Gaeko) | 2016 | 59 | KOR: 97,385 | Interlude |
| "Woo Ah" (우아해) | 2016 | 4 | KOR: 571,012 | Interlude |
| "highfive" (with Dynamic Duo, Primary, Boi B) | 2016 | 23 | KOR: 113,585 | Non-album singles |
| "Skip" (with Han Sang-won) | 2016 | 21 | KOR: 120,794 | Non-album singles |
| "Fall" (어떻게 지내) | 2016 | 2 | KOR: 745,746 | Wonderlust |
| "Summer Love" | 2017 | 87 | KOR: 53,354 | Outside |
| "Outside" (featuring Beenzino) | 2017 | 12 | KOR: 165,530 | Outside |
| "Don't Be Shy" (featuring Sik-K) | 2017 | 88 | KOR: 51,202 | Outside |
| "Be by My Side" (내 편이 돼줘) | 2017 | 19 | KOR: 95,596 | Non-album singles |
| "Bittersweet" (잊을만하면) | 2018 | 3 | — | Non-album singles |
| "Cereal" (featuring Zico) | 2018 | 20 | — | Wonderlost |
| "None" | 2018 | 22 | — | Non-album singles |
| "Lay Your Head on Me" | 2018 | — | — | Non-album singles |
| "Nappa" | 2019 | 7 | — | Non-album singles |
| "With You" | 2019 | 95 | — | From Midnight to Sunrise |
| "Alone" | 2019 | 87 | — | From Midnight to Sunrise |
| "Mayday" (자나깨나) (featuring Joy) | 2020 | 32 | — | Homemade 1 |
| "Ohio" | 2020 | 41 | — | Non-album single |
| "Let Me Go" (놓아줘) (with Taeyeon) | 2020 | 8 | — | With Her |
| "Rush Hour" (featuring J-Hope) | 2022 | 4 | — | Non-album single |
| "Hmm-cheat" (흠칫) | 2023 | 86 | — | Wonderego |
| "Ego" (미워) | 2023 | 78 | — | Wonderego |
| "By Your Side" | 2024 | 48 | — | Non-album single |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that region. |||||

#### As featured artist

| Title | Year | Album |
| "No More" (Loco feat. Crush) | 2012 | Non-album single |
| "Two Melodies" (뻔한 멜로디) (Zion.T feat. Crush) | 2013 | Red Light |
| "You Can Stay" (그대로 있어도 돼) (Supreme Team feat. Crush) | 2013 | Non-album singles |
| "Blink (Remix)" (깜빡) (Gray feat. Crush, Elo, Jinbo) | 2013 | Non-album singles |
| "Shower Later" (Gary feat. Crush) | 2014 | Mr. Gae |
| "Stupid Love" (Rhythm Power feat. Crush) | 2014 | Wolmido Dogs |
| "JaJaJa" (YDG feat. Dynamic Duo, Crush) | 2014 | Non-album single |
| "Hold Me Tight" (감아) (Loco feat. Crush) | 2014 | Locomotive |
| "247" (일주일) (Junggigo feat. Crush, Zion.T, Dean) | 2015 | Across the Universe |
| "what2do" (Dean feat. Crush, Jeff Bernat) | 2016 | 130 Mood: TRBL |
| "No Sense" (No 눈치) (Sam Kim feat. Crush) | 2016 | I Am Sam |
| "Let's Play House" (몸만와) (Choiza, Primary feat. Crush) | 2016 | Hobby |
| "Let It Be" (재방송) (C Jamm feat. Crush) | 2016 | Show Me the Money 5 Ep. 5 |
| "For You" (Penomeco feat. Crush, Punchnello) | 2016 | Non-album single |
| "Corona" (Punchnello feat. Crush) | 2016 | Lime |
| "Still" (남아있어) (Loco feat. Crush) | 2016 | Bleached |
| "Sometimes" (가끔) (Geeks feat. Crush, Giriboy) | 2016 | Fireworks |
| "Bermuda Triangle" (Zico feat. Dean, Crush) | 2016 | Television |
| "Laputa" (DPR Live feat. Crush) | 2017 | Coming to You Live |
| "Party (Shut Down)" (Sik-K feat. Crush) | 2017 | H. A. L. F. (Have.A.Little.Fun) |
| "So to Say" (말하자면) (Jinbo feat. Crush, Hoody) | 2017 | KRNB2 Part. 2 |
| "Love Story" (러브스토리) (Suran feat. Crush) | 2017 | Non-album singles |
| "Clock Out" (퇴근) (Swings feat. Jay Park, Crush) | 2017 | Non-album singles |
| "Dongseong-ro" (동성로) (Rhythm Power feat. Crush) | 2017 | Non-album singles |
| "Sweaty" (SAAY feat. Crush) | 2017 | Claassic |
| "Your Dog Loves You" (헷갈려) (Colde feat. Crush) | 2018 | Your Dog Loves You |
| "Peace" (평화) (Giriboy feat. Crush, Choi LB) | 2018 | hightechnology |
| "Slip N Slide" (미끌미끌) (SOMDEF feat. Crush) | 2018 | Some Definition of Love |
| "Sunshine" (Hoody feat. Crush) | 2018 | Non-album single |
| "One of Those Nights" (센 척 안 해) (Key feat. Crush) | 2018 | Face |
| "No. 5" (Penomeco feat. Crush) | 2018 | Garden |
| "Blue Hawaii" (Punchnello feat. Crush, Penomeco) | 2019 | ordinary. |
| "Lovedrunk" (술이 달다) (Epik High feat. Crush) | 2019 | sleepless in |
| "Now or Never" (지금이 아니면) (CIFIKA feat. Crush, Woo Won-jae) | 2019 | Non-album single |
| "Blue" (Dynamic Duo feat. Crush, Sole) | 2019 | Off Duty |
| "Make Her Dance" (Simon Dominic feat. Loopy, Crush) | 2019 | No Open Flames |
| "Late Autumn" (만추) (Heize feat. Crush) | 2019 | Late Autumn |
| "I Been" (Berhana feat. Crush) | 2019 | Han |
| "Starry Night" (BoA feat Crush) | 2019 | Starry Night |
| "Darling" (Sik-K feat. Crush) | 2020 | Headliner |
| "Missed Call" (부재중) (nov feat. Crush) | 2020 | Non-album singles |
| "Jam and Butterfly" (DPR Live feat. Crush, eaJ) | 2020 | Non-album singles |
| "For You" (Lee Hi feat. Crush) | 2020 | Non-album singles |
| "I Adore You" (Chan feat. Crush) | 2022 | Look at Me !!! |
| "Circle" (Code Kunst feat. Crush) | 2023 | Remember Archive |
| "Bleaching" (백화) (Millic feat. Crush) | 2023 | ~ |
| "Right Now" (Coogie feat. Crush) | 2023 | Non-album single |
| "900 Wasps" (Mount XLR feat. Crush) | 2023 | Forte / 900 Wasps |
| "Yes or No" (GroovyRoom feat. Huh Yunjin, Crush) | 2024 | Non-album single |

### Soundtrack appearances

| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Peak chart positions | Sales | Album |
| Title | Year | KOR | KOR Songs | US World | WW | Sales | Album |
| "Sleepless Night" (잠 못드는 밤) (feat. Punch) | 2014 | 4 | N/A | — | — | KOR: 630,589 | It's Okay, That's Love OST |
| "Perhaps That" (아마도 그건) (with Loco) | 2015 | 44 | N/A | — | — | KOR: 754,272 | Two Yoo Project Sugar Man Part 3 |
| "Beautiful" | 2016 | 2 | N/A | — | — | KOR: 2,500,000 | Guardian: The Lonely and Great God OST |
| "Let Us Go" (둘만의 세상으로 가) | 2020 | 3 | N/A | — | — | — | Crash Landing on You OST |
| "No Words" (어떤 말도) | 2020 | 76 | N/A | — | — | — | Itaewon Class OST |
| "Click Like" (feat. Paul Blanco) | 2023 | 31 | — | — | — | — | Street Woman Fighter 2 OST |
| "Love You with All My Heart" (미안해 미워해 사랑해) | 2024 | 6 | 9 | 4 | 184 | — | Queen of Tears OST |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that region. ||||||||

### Other charted songs

| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
| Title | Year | KOR | Album |
| "Wake Up" (featuring Dean) | 2019 | 145 | From Midnight to Sunrise |
| "Tiki-Taka" (featuring DPR Live) | 2019 | 155 | From Midnight to Sunrise |

## Filmography
### Television shows

| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
| 2023 | No Math School Trip | Cast Member | |

## Awards and nominations

| Award | Year | Category | Nominated work | Result |
| Asia Artist Awards | 2017 | Best Icon Award – Music | — | Won |
| Circle Chart Music Awards | 2017 | Song of the Year – January | "Don't Forget" (feat. Taeyeon) | Nominated |
| Circle Chart Music Awards | 2019 | Song of the Year – August | "Nappa" | Nominated |
| Circle Chart Music Awards | 2023 | Artist of the Year – September | "Rush Hour" (with J-Hope) | Nominated |
| Golden Disc Awards | 2017 | Digital Bonsang | "Don't Forget" (feat. Taeyeon) | Nominated |
| Golden Disc Awards | 2017 | Best R&B Award | — | Won |
| Golden Disc Awards | 2025 | Best OST | "Love You With All My Heart" | Won |
| Korea Drama Awards | 2017 | Best Original Soundtrack | "Beautiful" | Nominated |
| Korean Hip-hop Awards | 2017 | R&B Album of the Year | Interlude | Nominated |
| Korean Hip-hop Awards | 2017 | R&B Track of the Year | "Woo Ah" | Won |
| Korean Hip-hop Awards | 2020 | R&B Album of the Year | From Midnight To Sunrise | Won |
| Korean Hip-hop Awards | 2021 | R&B Album of the Year | ' 'With Her | Nominated |
| Korean Hip-hop Awards | 2021 | R&B Track of the Year | "Ohio" | Nominated |
| Korean Hip-hop Awards | 2023 | R&B Track of the Year | "Rush Hour" | Won |
| Korean Hip-hop Awards | 2024 | R&B Album of the Year | Wonderego | Nominated |
| Korean Hip-hop Awards | 2024 | R&B Track of the Year | "Ego" | Nominated |
| Korean Music Awards | 2015 | Best R&B & Soul Album | Crush on You | Won |
| Korean Music Awards | 2015 | Best R&B & Soul Song | "Hug Me" (feat. Gaeko) | Nominated |
| Korean Music Awards | 2015 | Rookie of the Year | — | Nominated |
| Korean Music Awards | 2016 | Best R&B & Soul Song | "Just" (with Zion.T) | Nominated |
| Korean Music Awards | 2024 | Best R&B & Soul Album | Wonderego | Nominated |
| Melon Music Awards | 2015 | Best R&B / Soul | "Oasis" (feat. Zico) | Nominated |
| Melon Music Awards | 2015 | Top 10 Artists | — | Nominated |
| Melon Music Awards | 2016 | Best R&B / Soul | "Don't Forget" (feat. Taeyeon) | Nominated |
| Melon Music Awards | 2016 | Top 10 Artists | — | Nominated |
| Melon Music Awards | 2019 | Best R&B / Soul | "Nappa" | Nominated |
| Mnet Asian Music Awards | 2015 | Best Collaboration | "Just" (with Zion.T) | Won |
| Mnet Asian Music Awards | 2016 | Best Male Artist | "Don't Forget" (feat. Taeyeon) | Nominated |
| Mnet Asian Music Awards | 2016 | Best Vocal Performance – Male Solo | "Don't Forget" (feat. Taeyeon) | Won |
| Mnet Asian Music Awards | 2017 | Best OST | "Beautiful" | Nominated |
| Mnet Asian Music Awards | 2018 | Best HipHop & Urban Music | "Bittersweet" | Nominated |
| Mnet Asian Music Awards | 2019 | Best HipHop & Urban Music | "Nappa" | Nominated |
| Mnet Asian Music Awards | 2022 | Best Collaboration | "Rush Hour" (with J-Hope) | Nominated |
| Mnet Asian Music Awards | 2024 | Best OST | "Love You With All My Heart" | Won |
| Seoul Music Awards | 2016 | Bonsang Award | — | Nominated |
| Seoul Music Awards | 2017 | Bonsang Award | — | Nominated |
| Seoul Music Awards | 2022 | Bonsang Award | — | Nominated |
| Soribada Best K-Music Awards | 2018 | R&B Artist Award | — | Won |
| Soribada Best K-Music Awards | 2024 | Best OST | "Love You With All My Heart" | Won |