Where now for Sung-Bong Choi?

In just 11 weeks, Sung-Bong Choi, the manual labourer from Dae Jun has picked himself up from the depths of despair and achieved something quite breathtaking. When I think back to the first time I watched the video of Sung-Bong Choi's audition, I remember having to pause the video just before he started singing as I couldn't bear the tension! His story struck such a deep rooted chord in me that I almost feared he wouldn't be able to sing at all; that absolute silence would be projected. And after fouling up his audition he'd be shoved in a taxi and driven straight back to the streets of Dae Jun along with a crate of Bacchus energy drinks. I was happy I was wrong.

At the end I of his performance I found myself shuddering with the need to shed tears of joy, witnessing this young man become truly free. I felt a strange sense of sorrow mixed with a powerful rush of being very privileged.

But where now for Sung-Bong Choi? Is a record deal with Sony possible?  Will he strive for a regular and more normal life: a girlfriend, job, house? Will he go back to the life he has now in Dae Jun, or will he just spend his time exploring with his only friend in life, music? His desire for wanting to share his song with the world is the sole reason why he is where he is today, and that ought to be the road he should stick to. 

Sung Bong Choi Semi Final Stills

Sung Bong Choi Semi Final Stills, a set on Flickr.

A couple high-res stills from Sung-Bong's semi-final performance.

Sung-Bong Choi Final Performance Stills

Sung-Bong Choi FInal Performance Stills, a set on Flickr.

Stills of Sung-Bong Choi's final performance on the talent show that made him a worldwide sensation.

Bearing in mind the journey this young man in such a short space of time you could forgive him for perhaps feeling the effects of stage fright, and once again it was Sung-Bong's illuminating character and haunting baritone that truly shined.

Sung-Bong Choi - Finishes Second in Korea's Got Talent

Even though Sung-Bong Choi didn't become the overall winner of Korea's Got Talent, a destiny that became apparent during his audition way back on on June 4th, he invariably won the world hearts instead. His story to us seems to have only just started. Still raw from the traumas of his unfortunate past Choi dedicates his life to sharing his song with those who have suffered as he has.

Sung Bong admits attempting suicide to CNN - Includes transcription - August 21 2011

Transcription of CNN Interview – 21/08/11

(CNN) He may not have won Korea’s Got Talent, but Choi Sung-Bong has won the heart of a nation.
His incredible story, from the streets to the stage, has touched millions around the world.
He says ‘I never thought this could happen, I never thought I should have been born’.
Choi is a long way from where he started. He was left in an orphanage at the age of three and ran away at the age of five after being bullied, and lived on the streets fending for himself for the next ten years

Sung-Bong Choi CNN Interview Stills- August 21 2011

Sung-Bong Choi CNN Interview - August 21 2011, a set on Flickr.

Sung-Bong Choi talks further about how life was like for him as a small boy, selling gum and drinks in the red light district of Jae-Dun city, troubled by criminal gangs who would cruelly humiliate him whenever Choi's presence would aggravate them.

Sung-Bong Choi - 2nd Performance with Transcription

Transcript of Korea’s Got Talent – Semi-final Performance

(Narrator) The world started to pay attention to Choi Sung Bong with a lot of stars in support of him

Millions of people watched the video of his first performance

(Song-Yun Ah) I just want to give you a hug

(Sung-Bong) I am just excited and thankful but I am also a little nervous

(Sung-Bong’s friend) Sung-Bong is a friend who had excluded parental love and I can’t imagine how he has lived before. He is just so pitiful.