South Korean orphan turned opera singer wants to spread his wings

Choi Sung-bong is best known for his inspirational story, going from an orphaned street urchin to his discovery as an opera prodigy on the reality show in 2011. Now the 25-year-old is working towards expanding the horizons of his career.

"I want to explore more music. I'm developing a second album for my international fans and also working towards getting my autobiography [which is already out in Korean] published in English and Chinese," Choi says. "Right now, I'm not known by people for my music, but mainly for my story. So I'd like my music to be known more by people round the world."

Born in Seoul and abandoned at an orphanage at the age of three, Choi was mistreated at the institution, which led him to run away to live on the streets of the South Korean capital. For 10 years he sold chewing gum to survive, sleeping on the streets or even in public toilets to keep warm.

"I had taught myself to read and to communicate by the time I was 14," he says. "I'd learn by listening to people talk or by looking at advertisements. Once, a man said some foul words to me, but I thought it was a greeting. Of course, when I tried to greet some people the same way, they scolded me. That's how it is for everything I do; it's all self-taught by observation."

It was not until an opera singer captured Choi's interest at a nightclub where he was selling gum that he started his pursuit of a music teacher. His mentor, Park Jeong-so, saw Choi's potential and encouraged him to compete in the Korean version of the talent show that launched the careers of singers such as Susan Boyle in Britain. Although he didn't win, his story touched the hearts of many.

Since the competition in 2011, Choi has had many musical opportunities, from working with record labels to performances with opera singers such as Paul Potts, winner of the first season of . Choi's debut recording, which was self-funded, came out soon after. "My first album has three songs, all in Korean," he says. "I funded the album with my income from performances and was very involved in the whole process. It was very hands on, so that was fun."