Welcome to the world of SoHyang~!!! She is CCM/GOSPEL SINGER of South KOREA and cancer survivor. . She is one of the greatest vocalist in the world.But She wasn't known as well as popular because She sing for GOD and Comfort people who has hardtime Not for fame or money. ..In her youth, she turned down all offers from mega agencies for her beliefs...and now she is 45years old. .She has so many legendary live performances . She always sings with sincerity whenever and wherever. So it comforts those who listen to her song...That's why I love her...And her singing skills are the best, not to mention... This performance is just tip of iceberg.. . Thanks for your reaction & analysis of Queen Sohyang ♥
Welcome to Sohyang's world. Some background on this song. Arirang Alone is a modern take on a 600 year old folk song. The original was about two lovers but Arirang Alone is about North and South Korea. I believe the beginning shows a time of innocence and peace. Then there comes the war and the split. The rest of the song is about the longing they have to be reunited. Where they 'take boats' is middle ground, called by the islands of Dokdo. It was written by a man who had to leave two grown children in North Korea and wanted them to know he had not abandoned them.
Wow what a wonderful performance. What a variety of sounds and styles in one song. It’s so beautiful and beautifully done. I’m really enjoying being introduced to singers I’ve not heard before, in these analyses. Great analysis and observations Dr. Dan! With each video, I learn something new or gain a greater understanding of something I’ve learned before.
Always loved sohyang. Her voice is amazing. With the holiday season coming up soon I was hoping you could do a reaction to another fabulous singer David Phelps singing Oh Holy Night the version with the 9 million views. I would love to hear your analysis on it.
Her voice is a musical instrument. She is the best female singer in this world. She is another level. [Sohyang List] - You raise me up (Immortal songs 2) - Bridge over troubled water (Immortal songs 2) - I have nothing (I am a singer legend) - Lean on me (Immortal songs 2) - I'll always love you (begin again Korea) - Oh holy night (I am a singer 2) - Everyone (Immortal songs 2) - Arirang alone (Immortal songs 2) - Power of love (2014 live) - Never enough (begin again Korea) - Misty (begin again Korea) - I'll be there (begin again Korea) - I won't give up (Open Concert) - Amazing Grace (Global Church Blessing 2020) - Mona lisa (King Of Masked Singer) - Fate (I am a singer 2) - Wild flower (Immortal songs 2) - Where are you (I am a singer 2) - Dear love (King Of Masked Singer) - Never Ending story (I am a singer 2) - If I ain't got you (begin again Korea) - The prayer (Jeong Ui Geun & So hyang) - As I live (I am a singer 2) - Breathe (King Of Masked Singer) - Upon this rock (Brooklyn Tabernacle church or 2022 concert) - I can only imagin - Hug me (DMC festival) - Home (King Of Masked Singer) - Dream (I am a singer legend) - US National Anthem for NBA game - For a thousand days (I am a singer 2) - Flashlight (begin again Korea) - You are the reason (begin again Korea) - Stuck with U (begin again Korea)
Thank you for your videos. I love watching them... they are so helpful, informative, and encouraging! They open me to the world of singing and give me inspiration. And that means a lot.
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 45 on April 5, 2023, though in Korean culture she would be 46 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 While 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 some of her songs, wrote "I Have Nothing," her most iconic song, and is 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 16:25 “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! And whether Sohyang likes it or not, fame has found her, run her over and then backed up and run over her again! 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." Her grandmother named her. 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 stage 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 Mermaid" "about one hundred times" when she was just a kid, speaks English with a _perfect_ North American accent and has an outgoing and 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 maybe 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. 😉
Thank you for that analysis reaction Arirang Alone is a beautiful song and So Hyang has an incredible voice the whole staging was great, I hope to see if you can analyze Forestella Je sui Malada
김소향 (Kim, So-hyang) is a South Korean singer who uses 소향 (Sohyang) as her stage name. She's up there with Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Céline Dion, according to David Foster, who worked with all of them, plus other big names in the music industry, such as Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand, and Michael Jackson. In fact, many vocal coaches and critics call her the Queen, and Dimash the King. Here are several links to excellent performances by Sohyang. Many are from competitions where she pulls out all the stops and goes into vocal beast mode. The last 5 are more restrained. You can alternate between the styles, just to experience the contrasts and see her range of abilities. All are live, except for a music video of "Never Enough" (since we can never get enough of Sohyang). DMC Festival: ruclips.net/video/T4UyIMkdy4M/видео.html "I Have Nothing" [Whitney Houston] ruclips.net/video/CFtRUSPxcas/видео.html (camera only on Sohyang) ruclips.net/video/n71eIWRmEtY/видео.html "Dream" [소향 (Sohyang)] {Korean} Immortal Songs 2: ruclips.net/video/C6iHh4yBxCo/видео.html "Bridge Over Troubled Water" [Simon & Garfunkel] ruclips.net/video/zFyndK9VOCk/видео.html "Arirang Alone" [traditional Korean folksong, lyrics adapted for reunification of North & South Koreas] {Korean} ruclips.net/video/GvsgCllcNPE/видео.html "Lean On Me" [Bill Withers, Jr.; Michael Bolton guest] ruclips.net/video/te_L9ofhUt8/видео.html "You Raise Me Up" [Secret Garden; Shane Filan (Westlife) guest] ruclips.net/video/H5e7MPre7iY/видео.html "여러분 (Everyone)" [윤복희 (Yoon, Bok-hee)] {Korean, English} I Am A Singer 2: ruclips.net/video/YwgF3Gylu-0/видео.html "O Holy Night" [Adolphe Charles Adam] King of Masked Singers: ruclips.net/video/a_lOAgti7XQ/видео.html "모나리자 (Mona Lisa)" [조용필 (Cho, Yong-pil)] {Korean, English} ruclips.net/video/0qBSPPi3ESM/видео.html "Home (집)" [박효신 (Park, Hyo-shin)] {Korean, English} Begin Again Korea: ruclips.net/video/lSzb6a0PkQU/видео.html "Flashlight" with Lee Suhyun [Jessie J] ruclips.net/video/_ivvpK3UMlw/видео.html "Misty" [Ella Fitzgerald] ruclips.net/video/DO845EqU3eE/видео.html "I Will Always Love You" [Dolly Parton] ruclips.net/video/k5WqGIPjqtc/видео.html "Never Enough" [Loren Allred] Open Concert: ruclips.net/video/vZyIdoRRKFo/видео.html "The Power of Love" [Jennifer Rush] BTW, Whitney's former manager saw the DMC Festival video of Sohyang singing "I Have Nothing", and contacted Oprah Winfrey, who in turn, contacted David Foster. They were all amazed. He invited her to sing on his tour in Asia. She did 8 shows in 4 days in Tokyo. Foster co-wrote that song. He arranged and produced it for Whitney for her album, and her performance in "The Bodyguard". Foster has won 16 Grammy Awards, including 3 for Producer of the Year, and has been nominated a total of 47 times.
Dr. Dan, you may have noticed a long exchange of Comments following my initial Comment to you. I apologize for cluttering up your Comments Section, BUT on the other hand, if you should care to read through it, I am sure that you will find it a lilting intellectual contest. There are so many of Sohyang's details mentioned that I am sure your growing appreciation for this great lady will be enhanced. Cheers.
If you were to visit Sohyang again, please consider her iconic rendition of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" @ ruclips.net/video/C6iHh4yBxCo/видео.html&start_radio=1
This traditional Korean folk song was reborn by tiny female singer. Even though I am Korean, I never thought I would hear this Arirang song so much before I knew her.
Will you please do a reaction video to another celestial voice? Her name is Sissel Krykjebo. Will you please analyze her rendition of Slow Down and Like An Angel Passing Through My Room. Thank you so much!
Enjoyed your analysis, Dr. Dan! A few voice teachers have mentioned the supposed jaw tension fleeting moment, but your Mea Culpa supposition is likely the explanation. Whatever! To my ears, it really has NO effect whatsoever on the quality of the sound Sohyang actually delivers. As for Sohyang's hand movements, my Korean friends tell me that she is not so much urging the audience to join in as intentionally referencing traditional hand dancing movements. Sohyang is a full-body singer, renowned for singing with her hands in most of her epic performances, but here, in this 600 + year old song, dressed in a traditional hanbok, she is apparently honouring her cultural heritage.
6:38 just some insight on the Korean vowel thing here.... so the phrase she's singing is 흘러 (heulleo) which means *"It'll flow"* so this ㅓ is the (eo) vowel. And whenever I pronounce it, my jaw does SLIGHTLY shift to either side but mostly to the left. But this might be a personal case for me? To anyone else, does this happen to you too?
I'm Korean. This song is an arrangement of Arirang, which contains the soul of the Korean people. Overall, it's a song that has adjusted a lot of emotions compared to the original song. It's a very emotional song for Koreans as well.
I love that you said, "It's everybody's birthright to sing." No one believes that more than Koreans. Did you know that all Koreans, 100% not 99.999%, know about Arirang. There have been so many songs and references to Arirang for so long, yet nobody knows what it means. We know it represents Han(grief) and Hng(fun) of the Korean Culture. It's one of the biggest mysteries in Korea. There are 5 fundamental and simple elements in everything that's Korean: 1. Han(한, grief) 2. Hng(흥, fun) 3. Jung(정, love) 4. Mut(멋, stylish) 5. Mot(맛, tasty)
This was a musical contest show. The theme was traditional korean music. All the songs from this show were all Traditional Korean, and this particular rendition was spectacular. However, it did come in second in the competition. The girl who won, Song So Hee with ruclips.net/video/DpJTrdZKNVc/видео.html was amazing too. Not the same level of vocal dexterity or talent, but was much more traditional in her rendition. Song So Hee specializes in traditional korean music, so frankly, no matter how much vocal talent So Hyang showed, she wasn't likely to win without staying closer to the more traditional style of singing.
Actually if you want to see Arirang really meeting K-pop, BTS's vocal-line (they all were on stage but only vocal-line sang) have done Early in their carieer (3 years after their debut) 2016, a version of Arirang medley. (And many other K-pop stars have done some version of Arirang during their career.) the song ends many other k-pop groups (host, Super Junior's Leeteuk, SHINee, f(x), F.T. Island, Block B, and IOI ) joining in with their own lines.
May i just say their is never an excuse for a man of your age to have a ponytail,but i will let you off this time for supporting Sohyang.if you are going to do more of her performances please don't watch them beforehand, it is better to have an instant reaction as a viewer.
I think it would be better if you did two separate videos, one of your first reaction to a performance and maybe another where you make an analysis. Many of us fans love to see people's initial, raw reaction. It is a bit disappointing to us seeing that the person already watched it before.
5:52 regarding her jaw you mentioned, you are the second person pointed out her jaw in this performance. Check out first person who mentioned about her jaw position. ruclips.net/video/Mr_Ux0LV9uw/видео.html, 10:28 He mentions in another reaction video that she is a grinder. ruclips.net/video/ibBCM3tJP2o/видео.html, 7:19 What do you think? Very nice and pleasant reaction!
There are so many great singers in Asia that you have never heard of . My personal favourite is 4th Impact. they are 4 sisters from The Philippines with amazing harmonies that will leave you speechless. In 2015 they auditioned for X Factor UK and that video has more than 190 million views on you tube. In 2023 they performed before 55, 000 people in Manila. they have many covers and a few original songs on you tube.
It is more of an analysis than a reaction if we mean something spontaneous or immediate. There is such a thing as a delayed or late reaction but its meaning is still different from what Dr. Dan did. So maybe he is using the word in a wider intellectual sense. I'm not sure and I wish he would clarify why he called it reaction.
@@amadoramos5040 , in fact he does that in all vids, i understand that he likes to think and analise all befote say something, but he could show his reactions to entire video and after start to explain... It is my preference, but he is free to do this format, but definnetly not a reaction.
Finally... Sohyang
Welcome to the world of SoHyang~!!!
She is CCM/GOSPEL SINGER of South KOREA and cancer survivor. .
She is one of the greatest vocalist in the world.But She wasn't known as well as popular because She sing for GOD and Comfort people who has hardtime Not for fame or money. ..In her youth, she turned down all offers from mega agencies for her beliefs...and now she is 45years old. .She has so many legendary live performances .
She always sings with sincerity whenever and wherever. So it comforts those who listen to her song...That's why I love her...And her singing skills are the best, not to mention...
This performance is just tip of iceberg.. .
Thanks for your reaction & analysis of Queen Sohyang ♥
That would explain her ability to engage the audience like a congregation.
@DrDanRobinson
Thank you so much for great analysis.
Absolutely I agree with you.
She is just amazing.
Please more react to Sohyang.
Have a nice day.
her voice is an irreplaceable gem 💎
world class queen sohyang
She is one of my favorite singers. She is awesome, This one takes me to
Church.
And her history of her cancer illness and her being the gospel singer. I don't know what it is but i feel God presence from her
she is really amazing
Welcome to Sohyang's world. Some background on this song. Arirang Alone is a modern take on a 600 year old folk song. The original was about two lovers but Arirang Alone is about North and South Korea. I believe the beginning shows a time of innocence and peace. Then there comes the war and the split. The rest of the song is about the longing they have to be reunited. Where they 'take boats' is middle ground, called by the islands of Dokdo.
It was written by a man who had to leave two grown children in North Korea and wanted them to know he had not abandoned them.
Nice. Thanks for the background.
Needed that additional context. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing Dr Dan.🐨
My pleasure!
Marvelous video Dr Dan. I've never heard of her either! Definitely an amazing vocal performance with ( I agree with you) a powerful flute register!👍👍
Glad you enjoyed it!
Welcome to Sohyang world.
She is world best singer.
Please react to another song by her. 😊
This is my favourite female singer ever. Love her. Great analysis, thanks!
Wow what a wonderful performance. What a variety of sounds and styles in one song. It’s so beautiful and beautifully done. I’m really enjoying being introduced to singers I’ve not heard before, in these analyses. Great analysis and observations Dr. Dan! With each video, I learn something new or gain a greater understanding of something I’ve learned before.
Welcome to the slaying queen Sohyang.
Hope RUclips Let you keep discovering more layers from her 😅
Thanks from Perú 😊
Thank you for your reation~😍
Wow. She’s incredible. Thank you for your analysis!
Always loved sohyang. Her voice is amazing. With the holiday season coming up soon I was hoping you could do a reaction to another fabulous singer David Phelps singing Oh Holy Night the version with the 9 million views. I would love to hear your analysis on it.
David phelps o Holy Night ruclips.net/video/ElJ0fiD0lkc/видео.htmlsi=QrCS5lsfy-IOlSOM
Queen Sohyang!!!👍 It is lucky to listen to Sohyang's songs in this era.
Sohyang that gives dreams, hopes, and emotions (Untouchable)
Her voice is a musical instrument. She is the best female singer in this world. She is another level.
[Sohyang List]
- You raise me up (Immortal songs 2)
- Bridge over troubled water (Immortal songs 2)
- I have nothing (I am a singer legend)
- Lean on me (Immortal songs 2)
- I'll always love you (begin again Korea)
- Oh holy night (I am a singer 2)
- Everyone (Immortal songs 2)
- Arirang alone (Immortal songs 2)
- Power of love (2014 live)
- Never enough (begin again Korea)
- Misty (begin again Korea)
- I'll be there (begin again Korea)
- I won't give up (Open Concert)
- Amazing Grace (Global Church Blessing 2020)
- Mona lisa (King Of Masked Singer)
- Fate (I am a singer 2)
- Wild flower (Immortal songs 2)
- Where are you (I am a singer 2)
- Dear love (King Of Masked Singer)
- Never Ending story (I am a singer 2)
- If I ain't got you (begin again Korea)
- The prayer (Jeong Ui Geun & So hyang)
- As I live (I am a singer 2)
- Breathe (King Of Masked Singer)
- Upon this rock (Brooklyn Tabernacle church or 2022 concert)
- I can only imagin
- Hug me (DMC festival)
- Home (King Of Masked Singer)
- Dream (I am a singer legend)
- US National Anthem for NBA game
- For a thousand days (I am a singer 2)
- Flashlight (begin again Korea)
- You are the reason (begin again Korea)
- Stuck with U (begin again Korea)
Average singer
Thank you for your videos. I love watching them... they are so helpful, informative, and encouraging! They open me to the world of singing and give me inspiration. And that means a lot.
Hello ^^*
Thank you for letting her know
She's my favorite singer ~♡
Her voice is perfect!
Next plz .. SoHyang's "Upon This Rock" ^0^♡
I just finished subscribing and liking the alarm settings.👍👍
Welcome aboard!
She's otherworldly. The rest of the world really needs to know about the vocalists in the East.
No one like her no one.... noooo one. Like I feel like we must protect her at all cost
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 45 on April 5, 2023, though in Korean culture she would be 46 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
While 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 some of her songs, wrote "I Have Nothing," her most iconic song, and is 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 16:25 “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! And whether Sohyang likes it or not, fame has found her, run her over and then backed up and run over her again!
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." Her grandmother named her.
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 stage 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 Mermaid" "about one hundred times" when she was just a kid, speaks English with a _perfect_ North American accent and has an outgoing and 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 maybe 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. 😉
감사 합니다 😊
Thank you for that analysis reaction Arirang Alone is a beautiful song and So Hyang has an incredible voice the whole staging was great, I hope to see if you can analyze Forestella Je sui Malada
No problem 😊
New subscriber here☺️
김소향 (Kim, So-hyang) is a South Korean singer who uses 소향 (Sohyang) as her stage name. She's up there with Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Céline Dion, according to David Foster, who worked with all of them, plus other big names in the music industry, such as Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand, and Michael Jackson. In fact, many vocal coaches and critics call her the Queen, and Dimash the King.
Here are several links to excellent performances by Sohyang. Many are from competitions where she pulls out all the stops and goes into vocal beast mode. The last 5 are more restrained. You can alternate between the styles, just to experience the contrasts and see her range of abilities. All are live, except for a music video of "Never Enough" (since we can never get enough of Sohyang).
DMC Festival:
ruclips.net/video/T4UyIMkdy4M/видео.html "I Have Nothing" [Whitney Houston]
ruclips.net/video/CFtRUSPxcas/видео.html (camera only on Sohyang)
ruclips.net/video/n71eIWRmEtY/видео.html "Dream" [소향 (Sohyang)] {Korean}
Immortal Songs 2:
ruclips.net/video/C6iHh4yBxCo/видео.html "Bridge Over Troubled Water" [Simon & Garfunkel]
ruclips.net/video/zFyndK9VOCk/видео.html "Arirang Alone" [traditional Korean folksong, lyrics adapted for reunification of North & South Koreas] {Korean}
ruclips.net/video/GvsgCllcNPE/видео.html "Lean On Me" [Bill Withers, Jr.; Michael Bolton guest]
ruclips.net/video/te_L9ofhUt8/видео.html "You Raise Me Up" [Secret Garden; Shane Filan (Westlife) guest]
ruclips.net/video/H5e7MPre7iY/видео.html "여러분 (Everyone)" [윤복희 (Yoon, Bok-hee)] {Korean, English}
I Am A Singer 2:
ruclips.net/video/YwgF3Gylu-0/видео.html "O Holy Night" [Adolphe Charles Adam]
King of Masked Singers:
ruclips.net/video/a_lOAgti7XQ/видео.html "모나리자 (Mona Lisa)" [조용필 (Cho, Yong-pil)] {Korean, English}
ruclips.net/video/0qBSPPi3ESM/видео.html "Home (집)" [박효신 (Park, Hyo-shin)] {Korean, English}
Begin Again Korea:
ruclips.net/video/lSzb6a0PkQU/видео.html "Flashlight" with Lee Suhyun [Jessie J]
ruclips.net/video/_ivvpK3UMlw/видео.html "Misty" [Ella Fitzgerald]
ruclips.net/video/DO845EqU3eE/видео.html "I Will Always Love You" [Dolly Parton]
ruclips.net/video/k5WqGIPjqtc/видео.html "Never Enough" [Loren Allred]
Open Concert:
ruclips.net/video/vZyIdoRRKFo/видео.html "The Power of Love" [Jennifer Rush]
BTW, Whitney's former manager saw the DMC Festival video of Sohyang singing "I Have Nothing", and contacted Oprah Winfrey, who in turn, contacted David Foster. They were all amazed. He invited her to sing on his tour in Asia. She did 8 shows in 4 days in Tokyo. Foster co-wrote that song. He arranged and produced it for Whitney for her album, and her performance in "The Bodyguard". Foster has won 16 Grammy Awards, including 3 for Producer of the Year, and has been nominated a total of 47 times.
Plsss😊😊 analysis sohyang - everyone.
Good
Dr. Dan, you may have noticed a long exchange of Comments following my initial Comment to you. I apologize for cluttering up your Comments Section, BUT on the other hand, if you should care to read through it, I am sure that you will find it a lilting intellectual contest. There are so many of Sohyang's details mentioned that I am sure your growing appreciation for this great lady will be enhanced.
Cheers.
She's well known as one of the best singers in the world.
6:25 maybe.. maybeee.. its not a secret. Watch the position of her mic)) it easy to understand what she did. she just a vocal gangstar))
I like that term...vocal gangstar😂
If you were to visit Sohyang again, please consider her iconic rendition of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" @ ruclips.net/video/C6iHh4yBxCo/видео.html&start_radio=1
This traditional Korean folk song was reborn by tiny female singer. Even though I am Korean, I never thought I would hear this Arirang song so much before I knew her.
Will you please do a reaction video to another celestial voice? Her name is Sissel Krykjebo. Will you please analyze her rendition of Slow Down and Like An Angel Passing Through My Room. Thank you so much!
So Hyang - Bridge Over Troubled Water
South Korea intensifies 🔥🔥🔥
Enjoyed your analysis, Dr. Dan! A few voice teachers have mentioned the supposed jaw tension fleeting moment, but your Mea Culpa supposition is likely the explanation. Whatever! To my ears, it really has NO effect whatsoever on the quality of the sound Sohyang actually delivers. As for Sohyang's hand movements, my Korean friends tell me that she is not so much urging the audience to join in as intentionally referencing traditional hand dancing movements. Sohyang is a full-body singer, renowned for singing with her hands in most of her epic performances, but here, in this 600 + year old song, dressed in a traditional hanbok, she is apparently honouring
her cultural heritage.
6:38 just some insight on the Korean vowel thing here....
so the phrase she's singing is
흘러 (heulleo) which means *"It'll flow"* so this ㅓ is the (eo) vowel. And whenever I pronounce it, my jaw does SLIGHTLY shift to either side but mostly to the left. But this might be a personal case for me? To anyone else, does this happen to you too?
I'm Korean. This song is an arrangement of Arirang, which contains the soul of the Korean people. Overall, it's a song that has adjusted a lot of emotions compared to the original song.
It's a very emotional song for Koreans as well.
I love that you said, "It's everybody's birthright to sing."
No one believes that more than Koreans.
Did you know that all Koreans, 100% not 99.999%, know about Arirang.
There have been so many songs and references to Arirang for so long, yet nobody knows what it means.
We know it represents Han(grief) and Hng(fun) of the Korean Culture.
It's one of the biggest mysteries in Korea.
There are 5 fundamental and simple elements in everything that's Korean:
1. Han(한, grief)
2. Hng(흥, fun)
3. Jung(정, love)
4. Mut(멋, stylish)
5. Mot(맛, tasty)
This was a musical contest show. The theme was traditional korean music. All the songs from this show were all Traditional Korean, and this particular rendition was spectacular. However, it did come in second in the competition. The girl who won, Song So Hee with ruclips.net/video/DpJTrdZKNVc/видео.html was amazing too. Not the same level of vocal dexterity or talent, but was much more traditional in her rendition. Song So Hee specializes in traditional korean music, so frankly, no matter how much vocal talent So Hyang showed, she wasn't likely to win without staying closer to the more traditional style of singing.
Actually if you want to see Arirang really meeting K-pop, BTS's vocal-line (they all were on stage but only vocal-line sang) have done Early in their carieer (3 years after their debut) 2016, a version of Arirang medley. (And many other K-pop stars have done some version of Arirang during their career.) the song ends many other k-pop groups (host, Super Junior's Leeteuk, SHINee, f(x), F.T. Island, Block B, and IOI ) joining in with their own lines.
Thankyou for reaction. Folk+gaspel+pop+sohyang. Just my opinion.
May i just say their is never an excuse for a man of your age to have a ponytail,but i will let you off this time for supporting Sohyang.if you are going to do more of her performances please don't watch them beforehand, it is better to have an instant reaction as a viewer.
I think it would be better if you did two separate videos, one of your first reaction to a performance and maybe another where you make an analysis.
Many of us fans love to see people's initial, raw reaction. It is a bit disappointing to us seeing that the person already watched it before.
As for vocal coach you observe everything but her voice....
5:52 regarding her jaw you mentioned, you are the second person pointed out her jaw in this performance.
Check out first person who mentioned about her jaw position. ruclips.net/video/Mr_Ux0LV9uw/видео.html, 10:28
He mentions in another reaction video that she is a grinder. ruclips.net/video/ibBCM3tJP2o/видео.html, 7:19
What do you think?
Very nice and pleasant reaction!
ruclips.net/video/xKThKxWOaWI/видео.html
So Hyang - Bridge Over Troubled Water 추천합니다
Ahdeedong
There are so many great singers in Asia that you have never heard of . My personal favourite is 4th Impact. they are 4 sisters from The Philippines with amazing harmonies that will leave you speechless. In 2015 they auditioned for X Factor UK and that video has more than 190 million views on you tube. In 2023 they performed before 55, 000 people in Manila. they have many covers and a few original songs on you tube.
Why you put 'reaction' , if u watched befor it is not a reaction.
It is more of an analysis than a reaction if we mean something spontaneous or immediate. There is such a thing as a delayed or late reaction but its meaning is still different from what Dr. Dan did. So maybe he is using the word in a wider intellectual sense. I'm not sure and I wish he would clarify why he called it reaction.
@@amadoramos5040 , in fact he does that in all vids, i understand that he likes to think and analise all befote say something, but he could show his reactions to entire video and after start to explain...
It is my preference, but he is free to do this format, but definnetly not a reaction.
I guess it's not Kpop, rather Korean folk song met Sohyang 😁
Wait so he listens first then does a review? No fun
Sohyang sounding like a g*ddamn violin