Sweet are the uses of adversity,

Which like the toad, ugly and venomous,

Wears yet a precious jewel in his head.

–William Shakespeare

Meet Sung-Bong Choi. A 22-year-old day laborer who says he knows he doesn’t sing very well. When you hear his story on the clip above, you’ll understand why his self-esteem sits at such a low ebb. Dumped in an orphanage at 3, he ran away at 5 because “they beat him”  and he ended up selling gum on the streets and sleeping in public toilets for the next decade. After sharing what can only be described as a Dickensian account of his early antidepressants life, Choi hesitantly sang for  the judges on “Korea’s Got Talent.”

He wowed everyone in the audience, including the judges, with “Nella Fantasia,” the pop opera tune first recorded by Sarah Brightman. The audience quickly moved from laughter to weeping. The judges offered hugs, vocal lessons and a ticket to the next round.