Singer Song Chang-sik has revealed the deeply personal and moving story behind his decision to adopt two children, sharing the circumstances that led him to bring them into his family. Appearing on the MBN talk show ‘Kim Ju-ha’s Day & Night,’ Song recounted the emotional journey, highlighting his wife’s sister, Cheo-hyeong, as the catalyst for these life-altering choices.
The Path to Adoption
During the broadcast on November 12th, Song Chang-sik explained that his wife’s twin sister, Cheo-hyeong, who was living in the United States, expressed a desire to adopt a child. After considerable effort, they were able to bring one child to Korea. However, subsequent changes in international adoption regulations made the process more complicated.
Faced with the reality that the child could not be returned, Song and his wife resolved to raise the child themselves. The situation became more complex when Cheo-hyeong found herself in a difficult position to raise her own child born in the U.S. This led to the decision to adopt that child as well, bringing the total number of adopted children to two.
“We couldn’t send them back, so we decided to raise them ourselves,” Song stated, sharing a poignant anecdote that brought a mix of laughter and emotion to the audience. He described the unique circumstances that led to him becoming a father to two adopted children through his sister-in-law, Cheo-hyeong.
A Musical Career Beyond Ambition
Song Chang-sik also reflected on his early career and the reasons behind his departure from the mainstream music scene at the height of his popularity. He clarified that his initial motivation was never about fame or fortune. “I never had the ambition to become a famous singer or make a lot of money,” he confessed. His sole passion was singing, and he intended to stop once he felt he had sung enough.
His life took a different turn when he moved to Paris to study art. After his studies, he became an art professor in the United States, living a completely separate life for 22 years. A chance encounter with Choi Baek-ho after 37 years led to a surprising return to the music industry.
Choi Baek-ho, noticing that Song’s voice was still strong, encouraged him to sing again. With Choi’s support, including an introduction to an album producer, Song’s miraculous return as a singer was realized, leaving a lasting impression.
Reflections on Life and Music
Song Chang-sik candidly shared his unique perspective on life, including a past incident where he was detained for 21 days for failing to attend reserve forces training. He humorously recounted how his studies in jazz harmony, initially intended for orchestral arrangements, made no progress until he was confined.
“Confinement is the best for studying!” he exclaimed, eliciting laughter and applause. During his detention, he successfully completed his jazz harmony studies, demonstrating his characteristic resilience and unconventional approach.
The singer also expressed his gratitude for the warm reception his music has received from younger generations, particularly those in their 20s and 30s. He was particularly touched by the success of “Adult,” a song he remade, which became a hit when covered by Moon Se-yun and Jo Jae-hyun for the drama ‘My Mister’ OST.
“I find it quite amazing myself,” Song remarked, expressing his surprise at the cross-generational appeal of his music.
A Night of Memorable Performances
The program featured powerful performances from both Song Chang-sik and Jeong Mi-jo. Song performed some of his iconic hits, including ‘Just Once,’ ‘Why Do You Call,’ and ‘We Are.’ Jeong Mi-jo captivated the audience with her rendition of ‘The 7th National Road.’ Their performances, transcending time with their distinctive vocal tones, evoked memories and emotions, resonating deeply with listeners.
Viewers shared their heartfelt reactions online. Comments included sentiments like, “Even if Song Chang-sik doesn’t know what ordinary love is, he truly gives warm love, from his wife to his adopted family,” and “Why do I cry just listening to Song Chang-sik and Jeong Mi-jo’s songs? I was so moved.”
This was not the first time Song Chang-sik had discussed his adoption experiences on television. In a previous appearance on MBN’s ‘Let’s Go!’ Season 5 last year, he elaborated on the adoption of his youngest child.
He explained that Cheo-hyeong, unable to adopt, had conceived a child through artificial insemination. However, Cheo-hyeong later found herself unable to raise the child. During a trip to the United States, Song’s wife held the baby, and the child bonded strongly with her, refusing to be put down. This led to the decision to bring the child to Korea and adopt him as their youngest.
Host Ahn Jung-hwan acknowledged the profound nature of adoption, stating, “Simply put, adopting a life cannot have been easy.” Song Chang-sik responded with a smile, “Because of Cheo-hyeong, I got married and gained two children.”
