THE WEEKEND BITE Online: 'NO EXCUSE' Series- EPISODE 2

Hello friends, sure your week has been great. Welcome to the second episode of the ‘No Excuse Series’, sorry it took so long. We have been examining the awe-inspiring stories of men who are achieving great feats despite the overpowering limitations of their situations and circumstances. If you missed the amazing story in Episode 1, please click on the following link:

http://www.mypenacatalystofchange.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-weekend-bite-online-no-excuse.html

The star of this episode is a 23-year old South-Korean named Choi Sung-Bong.




Born on the 18th of February, 1990, Choi’s parents had no clue about the greatness their son was carrying. He was abandoned in an orphanage at the age of three and he had to run away when he was only five years old after being beaten consistently. He practically lived on his own since then, sleeping on the stairs and in public toilets throughout that period. He fended for himself and survived by selling chewing gums and energy drinks on the streets for about 10 years. He also worked as labourer, delivering milk and Newspapers from when he was eight years old. While working, he occasionally overhead music and gradually his love for it grew until he was deeply in love with it. He was dedicated to singing to himself and practicing each day.


No baby pictures for Choi, but I bet he would have looked like this cute dude if his childhood was different!

At the age of 14, after listening to a classical vocalist at a nightclub where he sold chewing gum, his inspiration to pursue music as a career came to life. His passion led him to make enquiries until he landed and the door of his future mentor Jeong-So Park, a former opera singer who ended up teaching him free of charge and helping him get into an arts high school at the age of 16. Jeong-So Park was challenged by this young man who grew up on the streets but still has desire to go to school and to learn how to sing.

Jeong-so Park


Jeong-so Park taught Choi a whole lot more than music. He prepared and mentored him for the GED exams for elementary and middle school and entrance exams into Arts school, all of which he passed in flying colours. He also helped him to raise financial support for his schooling through Child Fund Korea and several others who were moved by his story.
At a point in high school, it became increasingly difficult for Choi to keep a job as a delivery man with the overwhelming demands of schooling and all that had a ripple effect on his school work. Around the second year of high school he told Park that he didn’t want to go to school anymore, considering the stress and the exorbitant amount for college fees, which they both didn’t have at the time. He later disappeared for about a year, trying ‘his hands on different things which were unsuccessful before he returned to help his mentor as a staff (best boy for lighting) at the first Praise Concert which Jeong-So Park organised at Juseungchun Church. Thereafter, the Church Pastor awarded Choi a scholarship out of the proceeds of the concert. Choi successfully graduated from Daejeon Arts High School where he became a musical autodidact (self teacher) as he pursued classical vocal training in the School’s Musical Department.




In 2011, Choi Song-Bong was encouraged by his Mentor to participate in the show 'Korea's got talent'. He introduced himself to the Judges and the Audience as the abandoned and homeless child who had to survive by selling gum and energy drinks for 10 years and thereafter went on to perform ‘Nella Fantasia (In My Fantasy) ’. All the judges immediately got emotional after his story and powerful performance. This led to a big offer of voice training classes to Choi by one of the Judges. The Youtube video of his performance went viral and as at February 2013, the video of his performance with English subtitles had more than 78 million views. I watched it myself and I was deeply moved.



Despite all odds, Choi advanced in the competition, all the way to the finals and he finished as the first runner up. All through the competition he dazzled the Judges and his numerous fans with his captivating voice and still continues to do so today to as many as care to listen to him.




After the competition, he continued as a vocalist and in 2012, Sung Bong Choi sang the Korean National Anthem for Korea's athletes ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games in London, UK. His rendition was powerful and inspiring and was certainly the right boost for the athletes.



He has done many other outstanding performances. He performed at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles as part of an international concert dedicated to peace and unity; the humanitarian project tagged ‘We hear your voice’ which was organised by Shani Rigsbee and her husband Andy Madadian. He has also appeared in many television shows, lectures and concerts and on 30th April, 2012 he authored a Korean best-selling autobiography describing his life journey titled ‘Just live without conditions ‘cause you live only once’. He is also set to release an album soon.



During a recent interview, Choi told KoreAm, A Korean American Magazine: “I’m able to do things that I haven’t been able to do for 22 years right now. After I sang ‘Nella fantasia’ and had great experiences, I had a reason to live. But still, I will never forget (how) I never starved to death or froze to death or was beaten to death. I’m thankful to be alive”




Choi Song-Bong didn't have any excuse to pursue his dreams despite all odds, neither do you!

Just do it!

Cheers!



© March,2013 By Lola Agbaje-Williams.


Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choi_Sung-Bong
http://iamkoream.com/september-issue-opera-singer-choi-sung-bong-more-than-korean-susan-boyle/
http://sungbongchoidotcom.blogspot.com/2012/07/brief-overview-of-sung-bongs-journey.html
You tube video of Choi Sung-Bong’s Audition, You-tube video of Jeong-so Park’s account of meeting Choi Sung-Bong for the first time.