The 28-year-old DJ is already excited about the idea of flying the Korean flag in the German sky. The first Korean DJ ever to play the festival, he will spin with around 100 other top DJs from 17 nations around the world for an estimated audience of 1.5 million.

Seo Seung-hwan, the first Korean DJ invited to play at the world-famous Love Parade techno music festival in Dortmund this year.

In an interview with the Chosun Ilbo at the club he runs near Hongik University, Seo said the opportunity was a dream come true. "I've known about the famous festival since high school and I like listening to music by DJs who have played there," he said. "I can't believe that I was invited. Only the world's best DJs get to play there."

Seo has been perfecting his craft behind the wheels for eight years. While a senior in high school he practically lived in the clubs near Hongik University in order to become a DJ. In 2004 he won a local DJ competition hosted by Heineken and took part in an Asian contest.

His participation in the German festival was decided in January, when his agent's president traveled in person to Germany to show the festival organizers a video of Seo mixing. They decided to invite him on the spot, calling his work "new and fantastic." "His sound is well suited to European tastes, with a strong beat and progressive style," the president said.

Rather than study at university, Seo has devoted himself to his music. His mother, who raised him alone after his father died when he was in middle school, is a great supporter, both materially and spiritually. In the club circuit he goes by the handle DJ Airmix, borrowed from the "Air Jordan" nickname for American basketball star Michael Jordan. "My performance is as dynamic and agile as Michael Jordan's," Seo said.

(englishnews@chosun.com )