Musician Reacts to Sohyang - Lean On Me | Jamaal X Music
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- Опубликовано: 26 фев 2022
- Musician reacts to Sohyang performing Lean On Me!
This is my first video reacting to Sohyang after many recommendations in the comments... this woman can SANG!!! Excuse me while I get caught up in this stellar performance and brilliant musical arrangement!
Thank you to those suggesting that I react to this video. Please let me know what I should react to next!
Follow me on Instagram! - jamaalxmusi...
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the video or music of the performance and do not intend any copyright infringement; this is just my musical reaction, analysis and commentary. 
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We all wonder if Sohyang is human or from another planet. Current odds are that she’s from another planet, with an outside chance she’s actually an angel come down from Heaven. 😇 We have never heard anyone sing like her, or be able to hold an audience in the palm of her hand until she lets them go. Her voice is, as one person described it, like liquid gold. Perfection in clarity and pitch, and she doesn’t fade in the upper octaves, which is startling when you hear her hit those 5th and 6th octave notes with such _POWER_ it actually gives everyone goose bumps-and makes us bald guys’ hair stand on end! As she says, her voice “is from God.” She does all the musical arrangements herself, with the input of her in-law family and musical assistants, teaches vocal technique at a South Korean university and speaks five languages: Korean, English, French, Vietnamese and Chinese, as well as reading Greek!
Let me catch my breath. OK.
She is a cancer survivor from uterine cancer at the age of 20, just after getting married, and states very plainly that God saved her life due to the prayers of her church. But this left her without the ability to have children so she decided to dedicate her life to being a Contemporary Christian Gospel singer and has refused recording contracts from the biggest corporations in the world. She only wants to sing for charities, churches and while doing missionary work, to strengthen those suffering through difficult times. David Foster, Josh Groban, Michael Bolton and others have all eagerly worked with her when they were in Asia.
She contracted hepatitis B from a blood transfusion during her cancer surgery and it clings to her to this day. Because of this she is prone to catching pneumonia but has sang perfectly while suffering from it in her live performance of “You Raise Me Up” before Shane Filan of Westlife on South Korean TV: ruclips.net/video/te_L9ofhUt8/видео.html She has asked those who love her singing to pray that God keep pneumonia away from her, she has suffered from it on so many occasions. Imagine how she must feel with this coronavirus floating around everywhere!
She just turned 43 on April 5, 2021, though in Korean culture she would be 44 because you are deemed to be one year old when you are born. She was about 37 when she sang this version of “Arirang Alone”, their unofficial national anthem based on a 600 year old folk song expressing their desire to reunify north and south: vimeo.com/308253527
After being sick with pneumonia eight times from 2016 through to 2020, and considering giving up singing altogether, she decided to enter a televised singing contest called “King of the Masked Singers” in 2017 and won six consecutive times, which has catapulted her into international attention from the performances being posted on RUclips.
Whitney Houston’s former manager saw her on RUclips and showed her to Oprah Winfrey, who brought her to David Foster’s attention. Foster then contacted Sohyang and went to Japan in order to have her perform eight concerts with him at Tokyo’s famous Blue Note Club in late-2018. For those who don't know, David Foster was Whitney Houston's producer for her albums, wrote "I Have Nothing", her most iconic song, and is probably the most famous and influential music producer in the world. He places Sohyang right beside Whitney and the rest of the top tier divas.
Here is the interview where Sohyang related the events: ruclips.net/video/EqeE_1nP-Kk/видео.html (Be sure to turn on English subtitles.)
Here is the version of “I Have Nothing” Oprah, David Foster, Whitney's former manager and the rest watched on RUclips: ruclips.net/video/T4UyIMkdy4M/видео.html
She preceded it with this blockbuster: vimeo.com/312061203
She could be an international Super Star if she wanted to be but has decided that it would ruin her spiritually, quoting Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”
In a South Korean television interview Sohyang conceded that she struggled with her desire for fame for a number of years, going into the basement in her home numerous times and closing the door so she could complain vehemently to God that He was holding her back from becoming famous due to her health problems and other unforeseeable events. Then she later saw a Korean TV drama where the talented daughter of a very successful businessman was positive she would take over when her father retired. But he left the management of the company to a woman she hated, so she had a fit and lay kicking and screaming on the floor. Sohyang says she saw herself in that young woman and then understood that God was keeping her from developing self-destructive character by withholding international celebrity status from her. ruclips.net/video/rl-jX9kBsEs/видео.html (Again, turn on English subtitles.)
So as a consequence she does not pursue fame or fortune and actually has no social media presence whatsoever.
What can one say about such a person? She is a literal Wonder Woman! And we need about a billion more just like her!
On Oct. 5, 2020, it was revealed that Sohyang turned down _yet another_ contract offer, this time from Sony Music US. www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20200921000995
“Debuting in [the] US was my utmost goal for the past 20 years. But when I got a call from the US agency, I politely rejected, as I realized that what I wanted most was not becoming famous,” she said.
“I think singers are very susceptible to arrogance, especially when they hear the screaming from crowds on stage. It can make you feel like as if you’ve become God.”
“And I’m perfectly okay with sharing my music via RUclips, which can reach tens of millions of people all over the world without making me feel stuck up. Maybe that’s why I was born in this era.”
Sohyang is just the most amazing singer, Christian and human being. She is beautiful both inside and out, and so humble and genuine, with a stage charisma, facial expressions and smile that is off the charts.
In Korean dictionaries 소향--Sohyang--has several meanings.
• First is a type of Korean traditional music.
• Second is to burn incense on a burner.
• Third is to go toward.
But these meanings are rarely used today. Sohyang is also the name of a heroine in a Korean traditional novel. Yet for the definitive answer Sohyang has stated in an interview that her name means "enjoy the light."
Please analyze her performance of “Bridge Over Troubled Water”: ruclips.net/video/C6iHh4yBxCo/видео.html
Also, please react to her version of “The Power of Love”: ruclips.net/video/LrNkVRrK7_I/видео.html
Plus this beautiful duet with her friend Lee Hi where they do Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons’ “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You”: vimeo.com/439148918
And this version of her singing “Oh Holy Night”: vimeo.com/322716334
Here she performs “Lean On Me” before Michael Bolton, who called her a vocal “virtuoso” after her performance: ruclips.net/video/GvsgCllcNPE/видео.html
Wait until you see her duet of David Foster's “The Prayer” with Jeong Ui Geu: ruclips.net/video/rte-q3kunp8/видео.html
Her performance of "Fate" in Korean requires no translation: vimeo.com/198161448
And finally “Will You Be There”: ruclips.net/video/nBdSpexUxik/видео.html
Here’s an English language interview with her that I’m sure you will enjoy: ruclips.net/video/N2u_pmoWxj8/видео.html Her English is perfect when she sings and almost perfect when she is doing interviews.
OK, I’ll stop gushing now.
Well, one more gush. In an interview with a Turkish music producer Sohyang's assistants revealed (a bit to her chagrin, as she is a self-effacing person) that she can hit Eb7 and D7 in practise. However, she never goes above the 6th octave in performances. Since she starts at D3 that is more than a 4 octave range ... so how about them apples???! Here it is: ruclips.net/video/VnPAkryrygQ/видео.html I know, bananas isn’t it?
Oh, I just remembered, she is also a published fantasy novelist and has a theological treatise on the Book of Revelation in print. In addition, she is a very good stage actress, which she proved by playing Julie Andrews’ part in the South Korean production of “The Sound of Music.” Moreover, she sang the “Moana” part in the Korean version of the Disney film, does the musical vocals for many South Korean television dramas, and is a talented artist and cartoonist. She taught herself English by watching Disney's "The Little Princess" "about one hundred times" when she was just a kid, speaks English with a _perfect_ North American accent and has a bubbly personality.
She can also play the piano and guitar. Is there anything this genius level woman can’t do? Ironically, Sohyang stated in another interview that both she and her in-law family were surprised to discover that she could sing so excellently!
Though she is less than 5' 4" and only about 100 pounds, Sohyang simply transcends the thresholds of music and takes you there with her. She becomes the song when she sings it, and then re-emerges when she is done. An experience like no other. I don’t know what else to say. I’ve spent _entire days_ listening to her, and shed more than a few tears of joy along the way.
I really must also compliment the choir, orchestra and audio/video production people Sohyang works with. They are all top notch from what I can see and hear, and that is important to note as these are _essential_ elements of any great musical production. The Korean people are easily as talented as anyone else.
As you can see, I am a shameless fan. 😉
SoHyang has actually mentioned it a couple times that she was the one behind the majority of this arrangement, including the instruments, backing vocals and the main vocals. She said she pulled an all-nighter to finish it because she was nervous it wouldnt hold up to her or Michael Bolton's standards.
She's behind a lot of the arrangements of her covers (she co-arranged most of them). Her cover of Lean On Me is one of the most musically intelligent and interesting pieces of contemporary music i've heard.
I loved this reaction. It's always refreshing to see knowledgeable people reacting to her because y'all appreciate musical and vocal details.
I recommend reacting to her rendition of "Everyone" and "Arirang alone". Those two performances are technically insane and musically brilliant.
A masterpiece of an arrangement (she does her own with her team) and mind blowing vocals. A warm welcome to the amazing world of Sohyang. What you witnessed is just the tip of the iceberg. So sit back and enjoy the journey. She will blow your mind. Thank you for a great reaction.
Hope you guys enjoy the video!! 😊 Apologies for the insta notification, I didn’t realise it came up 😂
Loved your GREAT reaction, to the 8th Wonder Of The World, So Hyang.
New subscriber
Thank you! 😊 She really is a powerhouse!
I love her rendition of Hug Me and I Will Always Love You from Begin Again!!!
I felt like my heart was going to explode while watching the video..welcome!!
I really enjoyed your reaction and hope to see more😆 I recommend you one of Sohyang's epic songs.
Everyone (korean gosphel song. Subtitled version, plz)
Lean on me is bright colored tone. But in Everyone you can catch her dark and rich warm voice.
Thank you! And ooo I’ll have to check it out! 😁
@@JamaalXMusic The English subtitle version is a MUST found on Vimeo NOT RUclips to understand the touching acapella momment. Unfortunately 99% of reactors use the YT version and then end up disappointed asking us "What did she say?🤦♂️🙄after already giving the head ups numerous times! Please give justice to the performance by seeing the Vimeo version, you will be one of the rare few then. 💗
Thank you for the reaction.
Welcome to Sohyang's world~^^
Great performance~😇🥰😍👑
Perhaps the best female vocalist in the world today! So Hyang is absolutely incredible and can sing so many genres. Very good breakdown!
good job ~!!!
Thank you for the good reaction today :)
She is one of the best vocalist in this generation.
She doesn't make any mistakes on the live stage.
She is out of this world!!
Whenever I listen to her song, I think God gave her voice.
Her song always touch the hearts of audience!!
Especially her high notes are so amazing, so beautiful and fatal.
Every time she sings, that song becomes the best version.
Please reaction more.
- You raise me up (Immortal songs 2)
- Bridge over troubled water (Immortal songs 2)
- I have nothing (I am a singer legend)
- Oh holy night (I am a singer 2)
- Everyone (Immortal songs 2)
- Arirang alone (Immortal songs 2)
- Mona lisa (King Of Masked Singer)
- Fate (I am a singer 2)
- Where are you (I am a singer 2)
- Dear love (King Of Masked Singer)
- I'll always love you (begin again Korea)
- Never Ending story (I am a singer 2)
- As I live (I am a singer 2)
- Misty (begin again Korea)
- Amazing grace
- Breathe (King Of Masked Singer)
- Never enough
- Hug me (King Of Masked Singer)
- Home (King Of Masked Singer)
- Dream (I am a singer legend)
- I won't give up (Open Concert)
- Power of love (2014 live)
- US National Anthem for NBA game
- For a thousand days (I am a singer 2)
- I always miss you (I am a singer 2)
- Don't forget me (open concert)
- Do you know (King Of Masked Singer)
- Stay (begin again open mic)
- Love poem (begin again open mic)
- Memory (open concert)
- The day when sunlight kissed me
- Beauty & the beast (I am a singer 2)
- Wind song (begin again Korea)
- Running to the sky (I am a singer 2)
- It's only my world (I am a singer 2)
- If I ain't got you (begin again Korea)
- Day day (begin again Korea)
- You are the reason (begin again Korea)
- The prayer (open concert)
- In the flower garden (I am a singer 2)
Yes do more SoHyang! Our friend Todd has left you some suggestions! Once you get to know her music, you will also Fall in Love with SoHyangs Character, What she represents! As she says in a song,” If Love is the answer, then I shall love everything on the earth! Be Proud if being the Children of God! Love your Siblings! Help one another and leave no one out or behind! No Performer has ever had the Impact on me that she has! She is a Blessing !
I agree.
so hyang--bridge over troubled water/i have nothing/o holy night/arirang alone/everyone/upon this rock/us national anthem/hero/power of love/let it go/breathe/hug me/amazing grace/i will always love you/misty
Sohyang herself is responsible for the arrangements & although she can sing literally any genre, she can even rap, & there are many video’s on RUclips to prove it, she is really a gospel singer at heart & many of her arrangements have elements of gospel in them, even when the song itself isn’t usually associated with that genre, she is so talented.
What I would like to say to you as a cello player is that there a couple of sohyang’s performances that immediately spring to mind where the cello is prominent & both are from a series called ‘begin again Korea’ which is basically a collection of songs, done during the pandemic, at various work places & public spaces to very small mask wearing audiences. These performances are referred to as ‘busking’ (certainly not the type of busking I’m accustomed in the towns & cities in England). It is true however that they are more acoustic in nature, outdoors, with only guitar,piano & the violin or cello when req’d, although thinking back I can’t ever recall a performance where they were all played at the same time. Anyway, the 2 songs I think you should check out with the cello upfront are:
‘I won’t give up’ (Jason Mraz) I love the melodic line played by the cello in this, I have found myself humming it to myself on occasions. TBH I don’t play any instruments & the little I do know about music doesn’t allow me to be very detailed in my recognition of instruments in a song, unless it’s a solo, or it’s pretty obvious. I can say that’s the strings, that’s percussion & here comes the brass section, but when there’s a full orchestra I can’t just pick up that it’s violin, viola, cello etc. However in these 2 songs of sohyang’s, like I said, the cello is upfront & even just Sohyang & cello on some parts & I LOVE IT!!! it’s so relaxing. I think if I were to choose an instrument to learn to play, right now it would be the cello. It would be interesting to hear your views as a cello player but even if you don’t do a reaction to them you should just watch them for yourself anyway.
I got so carried away with my new found love for the cello that I nearly forgot to tell you the second song, which is:
‘Wind song’ , which I believe is a song from one of those really dramatic Korean drama’s. It is in Korean but as with every Sohyang performance in her native tongue, she has a way of making you understand the story when you don’t even speak the language ( ‘Vimeo’ usually has eng subs for Sohyang performances but I don’t know if they ever put ‘wind song’ out).
Finally, as you are a musician, I think you will really enjoy a song that I know you will get many requests for now you have taken your first steps on the Sohyang train, and that is the song ‘Arirang Alone’ from the show ‘immortal songs 2’, a song which with the aid of her fantastic talent for arranging she turned from a traditional folk song to the more anthemic number you will hopefully discover for yourself.
Happy reacting from a new subscriber
Warm Welcome to the Amazing World of SoHyang...!!!
It's very interesting how you mentioned about the clapping. Korean people are very used to clapping on 1 and 3. Growing up in Korean churches, I was used to clapping on 1 and 3, but as I attended in American churches, I liked clapping on 2 and 4. As you said, more upbeat and fun. However, Koreans often do some fun clapping rhythm in praise songs and sometimes being used to 2 and 4 kind of messes up the Korean style fun clapping. Anyway, it was a very good side note you pointed out.
Love your reaction man, such feeling for music and positive vibes. If you loved the gospel side, you should check Lean on me with Kirk Franklin.
Yep, claps on 2/4