Choi Sung-Bong
Encyclopedia
Choi Sung-Bong is a vocalist who became famous after his appearance on Korea's Got Talent
was picked up by the worldwide news media. He finished second in the competition.
to complete his elementary and junior high curricula in order to enter high school. Choi tracked his official record with the name Sung-Bong Choi at the orphanage; however, this was not his given name by his parents. Instead, it was the name given to him at the orphanage; as a result, Choi preferred the name Ji-Sung over Sung-Bong.
He graduated from Daejeon Arts High School. Choi stated during the audition that he attended the high school. Choi also mentioned that there were not any teachers to give him vocal training at the school since he did not usually have the financial resources to pay for master classes.
He also had to work at a delivery service to earn tuition and lessons, but it resulted in a traumatic fall during his 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. shift. Choi subsequently received medical treatment at Kun Yang University Hospital. Prior to the fall, Choi also had two car accidents as a child without proper medical treatment for many years. When Choi got admitted at Kun Yang University Hospital due to other medical issues related to the earlier car accidents, he voluntarily performed a recital for four students who needed the financial aid for schools during his in-patient stay. Choi initially considered dropping out of high school, but he later found master classes and practiced on his own. Nonetheless, his high school music teacher noted that Choi was often absent from classes due to his difficult situation. At this time, Choi could not continue with post-secondary education due to his limited financial resources. Instead, he works as a construction worker with the type of work similar to that of a day laborer. Due to his immense exposure and the popularity, Choi's background has been intensely searched and verified by Netizens and South Korean media.
, Italian tenor.
" moved judges and audience members. Choi took to the stage appearing unfit for the part. Sporting a bowl haircut and a flannel shirt, he introduced himself as a manual laborer who had made a living selling gum and energy drinks for ten years. Choi advanced to the final level of competition, finishing second by 280 votes.
During his first appearance, in replying to a judge's question on whether he had vocal training, Choi said he studied on his own but took master classes whenever he had opportunities. His full answer was edited to make his story more appealing for TV. His formal training and musical background was mentioned on the show, however. The facts were immediately pointed out in a story on the Internet version of Time Magazine. Time also noted that Paul Potts
, who won Britain's Got Talent and was described as a mobile telephone salesman, had sung amateur opera, had performed with a small group connected with the Royal Philharmonic
that toured Italy, and had paid for a master class with Luciano Pavarotti
, but was still an amateur as he had never been paid for singing before his appearance on Britain's Got Talent. According to Time, Susan Boyle
also recorded a charity CD before her appearance on Britain's Got Talent. In any event, Choi's performance is considered the first talent discovery of note from the Korean version of the show.
Korea's Got Talent
Korea's Got Talent is a Korean reality television show that premiered on 4 June 2011 on tvN Asia. The show is based on the Got Talent series format, which originated with Britain's Got Talent. This is the show's first series in Korea...
was picked up by the worldwide news media. He finished second in the competition.
Childhood
Abandoned in an orphanage at three years old, Choi ran away from the abusive orphanage when he was five years old. Choi sold chewing gum and energy drinks from age five years old. He delivered milk and newspapers in addition to working as a laborer to survive beginning at age eight. Choi later met a woman who ran the food cart outside of night clubs, who gave him the name Ji-Sung. Choi did not have a name prior to their encounter. She also encouraged Choi to take the Korean equivalent of a GEDGED
General Educational Development tests are a group of five subject tests which, when passed, certify that the taker has American or Canadian high school-level academic skills...
to complete his elementary and junior high curricula in order to enter high school. Choi tracked his official record with the name Sung-Bong Choi at the orphanage; however, this was not his given name by his parents. Instead, it was the name given to him at the orphanage; as a result, Choi preferred the name Ji-Sung over Sung-Bong.
He graduated from Daejeon Arts High School. Choi stated during the audition that he attended the high school. Choi also mentioned that there were not any teachers to give him vocal training at the school since he did not usually have the financial resources to pay for master classes.
He also had to work at a delivery service to earn tuition and lessons, but it resulted in a traumatic fall during his 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. shift. Choi subsequently received medical treatment at Kun Yang University Hospital. Prior to the fall, Choi also had two car accidents as a child without proper medical treatment for many years. When Choi got admitted at Kun Yang University Hospital due to other medical issues related to the earlier car accidents, he voluntarily performed a recital for four students who needed the financial aid for schools during his in-patient stay. Choi initially considered dropping out of high school, but he later found master classes and practiced on his own. Nonetheless, his high school music teacher noted that Choi was often absent from classes due to his difficult situation. At this time, Choi could not continue with post-secondary education due to his limited financial resources. Instead, he works as a construction worker with the type of work similar to that of a day laborer. Due to his immense exposure and the popularity, Choi's background has been intensely searched and verified by Netizens and South Korean media.
Musical background
Choi was inspired to pursue a career in music when he was 12 years old after listening to a classical vocalist at the nightclub where he sold gum. Specifically, Choi mentioned during the audition that he was fascinated by the sincerity of the vocalist. He became a musical autodidact and later pursued classical vocal training at the musical department of Daejeon Arts High School. Choi stated that his favorite vocalist is Andrea BocelliAndrea Bocelli
Andrea Bocelli, is an Italian tenor, multi-instrumentalist and classical crossover artist. Born with poor eyesight, he became blind at the age of twelve following a soccer accident....
, Italian tenor.
Appearance and controversy
On June 6, 2011, Choi's outstanding performance of "Nella FantasiaNella Fantasia
"Nella Fantasia" is an Italian song based on the theme "Gabriel's Oboe" from the film The Mission . With music by famed composer Ennio Morricone and lyrics by Chiara Ferraù, "Nella Fantasia" is popular among classical crossover singers, and was originally sung by Sarah Brightman...
" moved judges and audience members. Choi took to the stage appearing unfit for the part. Sporting a bowl haircut and a flannel shirt, he introduced himself as a manual laborer who had made a living selling gum and energy drinks for ten years. Choi advanced to the final level of competition, finishing second by 280 votes.
During his first appearance, in replying to a judge's question on whether he had vocal training, Choi said he studied on his own but took master classes whenever he had opportunities. His full answer was edited to make his story more appealing for TV. His formal training and musical background was mentioned on the show, however. The facts were immediately pointed out in a story on the Internet version of Time Magazine. Time also noted that Paul Potts
Paul Potts
Paul Robert Potts is an English pop opera tenor who won the first series of ITV's Britain's Got Talent in 2007, singing an operatic aria, "Nessun dorma" from Puccini's "Turandot". As a singer of operatic music, Potts recorded the album One Chance, which went to #1 in nine countries...
, who won Britain's Got Talent and was described as a mobile telephone salesman, had sung amateur opera, had performed with a small group connected with the Royal Philharmonic
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is a British orchestra based in London. It tours widely, and is sometimes referred to as "Britain's national orchestra"...
that toured Italy, and had paid for a master class with Luciano Pavarotti
Luciano Pavarotti
right|thumb|Luciano Pavarotti performing at the opening of the Constantine Palace in [[Strelna]], 31 May 2003. The concert was part of the celebrations for the 300th anniversary of [[St...
, but was still an amateur as he had never been paid for singing before his appearance on Britain's Got Talent. According to Time, Susan Boyle
Susan Boyle
Susan Magdalane Boyle is a Scottish singer who came to international public attention when she appeared as a contestant on the TV programme Britain's Got Talent on 11 April 2009, singing "I Dreamed a Dream" from ...
also recorded a charity CD before her appearance on Britain's Got Talent. In any event, Choi's performance is considered the first talent discovery of note from the Korean version of the show.
YouTube sensation
Choi's performance clip made it to YouTube and triggered a worldwide Internet sensation. One version with English subtitles has triggered international press interest and a worldwide view that Choi was "the next Susan Boyle". The video itself has exceeded ten million views. The general public consensus was that Choi rendered a heartbreaking performance for his first performance.External links
- Korea's Got Talent (Official)
- Sung-bong Choi Fan Page
- http://cafe.naver.com/csbforever Fan Page
- http://twitter.com/#!/choisungbong twitter