The next Susan Boyle? Sung-bong Choi on "Korea's Got Talent"

By: Ysolt Usigan
Topics: Viral Video

(CBS) - My boyfriend told me this YouTube clip made him tear up.

Sung-bong Choi, a 22-year-old manual worker, knocked the judges' socks off with his amazing voice on "Korea's Got Talent." But before that, his story made them (and us) cry - a lot.

"I just want to be like a normal person," Choi said. He doesn't think he sings very well, but when he does, he feels like a different person. You see, Choi was left in an orphanage when he was 3 years old and ran away when he was 5 after being beaten. He sold gum and energy drinks on the streets of Korea to survive. "I slept on the stairs or public toilet for 10 years like a dayfly."

Now Choi hopes to be able to go to school and continue singing.

After telling his sad yet remarkable story, he belted out some powerful vocals, and wowed everyone.

"I just want to give you a hug," says one of the judges with tears in her eyes.

He obviously made it through to the next round, and is being regarded as the next Susan Boyle.

Ysolt Usigan
Ysolt Usigan is the editor of lifestyle and technology for women at CBSNews.com

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by NewsScanner247 June 27, 2011 4:38 PM EDT: Wow! That was amazing. What a touching story and performance.; Reply to this comment

by bbethany7 June 19, 2011 4:58 PM EDT

The boy is cute and sings well. The panelists, coached by Simon Cowell, get wide eyed and teary. I don't believe a word of his story. It was scripted for dramatic effect. Good job, though.

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by newscbsgate June 24, 2011 9:30 AM EDT: People like you make me absolutey disgusted... "the panelists, coached by Simon Cowell, get wide eyed and teary"??? Honey, if they were coached by Simon Cowell they wouldn't get teary or wide eyed! Maybe you're thinking of a different Mr. Cowell... And to say that his story was not real, and they made all of this up... is just... pathetic.
If this is all made up and they didn't find it out, why don't you go and try this, and see if it works.


by dragon0058 June 18, 2011 2:33 PM EDT: WOW!!! I couldn't help but cry while watching this video. This man is absolutely amazing; to overcome such terrible hardships and to be so genuine and to sing like one of God's angels. Best of luck to Choi Sung Bong and may all your dreams come true because you deserve to be happy and loved!; Reply to this comment


by bluebomberbren June 15, 2011 7:41 PM EDT: I can somehow relate to this fine young man, who not only deserves to be happy, but rejoiced in telling his story to the world for the hardship he has had and to come on this show to tell his story...I, being abandoned and left in an orphanage at 2 years old and being treated in less than a loving manner have only great hope for his success...I wish you well and you deserve to go far, even to reach 6.5 billion people and you do deserve this Choi Sung Bong......Keep your head up and be proud..God is with you; Reply to this comment