Song Seung-hyun, formerly of the band FT Island, revealed his life in New York, U.S., which he started anew after retiring.
On the 9th, Song Seung-hyun posted a long message on his social media, saying, "It has already been a year since I finished 15 years of activity in the Korean entertainment industry and moved to New York. Here, where everything was new at the time of marriage, even things I thought I had prepared for in advance turned out to be entirely new challenges. At that time, for a while I used to stand behind the restaurant and stare at planes flying in the sky, lost in many thoughts," he began.
He continued, "Thanks to my father, who gradually taught me and broadened my perspective from Korea, I was first exposed to and learned about distribution, and although I now do work completely different from distribution, all those experiences have come together to give me strength."
Song Seung-hyun said, "The first job I did was at the soft tofu restaurant my father newly opened. I started from the very bottom and learned one by one, from busboy to server. I still work as a server," adding, "The first three months were really lonely and tough, but looking back, I endured each day thinking positively that I was fortunate to have the blessing of marriage in a blessed environment that allowed me to challenge a new land. I felt most sorry for my wife beside me."
He said, "While working at the restaurant, I think I challenged myself in fields completely opposite to what I had done before and did everything that came my way. I thought I was humble during my celebrity days, but in fact I was arrogant. There were moments I felt I had decided to immigrate too easily," adding, "But instead of saying it was hard, I got through the days with the thought, 'I did great today,' and have carried on until now." He revealed that he bought a gukbap restaurant with the money he had saved while active with FT Island in Korea.
Song Seung-hyun said, "After wandering many roads, I ultimately started in the food service industry. Numerous pains and experiences followed before the acquisition," adding, "Leaving the entertainment industry, doing physical labor every day, and steadily saving money, I suddenly looked back and realized my body, mind, and spirit had become stronger. I felt proud and also wondered if all of this might have been my father's grand plan." He expressed gratitude to his family.
He added, "I no longer feel the dopamine rush I felt in the days when I earned a huge amount of money in just a few hours on stage. I sometimes miss that stage, but now I truly like and am happy with the work I do," and said, "Because I always liked food and eating, I even think I made the right change in profession. I tried hard to learn, endured well, and am doing well now. Above all, thanks to my wife I was able to take on this challenge, which has been a great strength, and I am always grateful."
Song Seung-hyun vowed, "Even if the store does not do well immediately, I can endure it and am confident it will succeed. I have certainly become stronger. And I will try to become a gukbap restaurant owner who is humbler, and humbler still."
Song Seung-hyun debuted with FT Island, and after retiring from the entertainment industry he married a longtime partner last June and is living a new life in the United States.
Below is Song Seung-hyun's full statement.
It has already been a year since I finished 15 years of activity in the Korean entertainment industry and moved to New York.
Here, where everything was new at the time of marriage, even things I thought I had prepared for in advance turned out to be entirely new challenges. At that time, for a while I used to stand behind the restaurant and stare at planes flying in the sky, lost in many thoughts.
Thanks to my father, who gradually taught me and broadened my perspective from Korea, I was first exposed to and learned about distribution, and although I now do work completely different from distribution, all those experiences have come together to give me strength.
The first job I did was at the soft tofu restaurant my father newly opened.
I started from the very bottom and learned one by one, from busboy to server. (I still work as a server.)
The first three months were really lonely and tough, but looking back, I endured each day thinking positively that I was fortunate to have the blessing of marriage in a blessed environment that allowed me to challenge a new land. (I felt most sorry for my wife beside me)
While working at the restaurant, I think I challenged myself in fields completely opposite to what I had done before and did everything that came my way.
I thought I was humble during my celebrity days, but in fact I was arrogant. There were moments I felt I had decided to immigrate too easily. But instead of saying it was hard, I got through the days with the thought, "I did great today," and have carried on until now.
Since I liked new challenges from a young age, I am now preparing to acquire Jinsang Gukbap, a Korean restaurant, with the money I saved in Korea. (My father gave me a discount..)
Once, while moving together in the car, I told my father,
"The food service industry does not suit me. I'm sorry, father."
It feels like just yesterday I said that, but after wandering many roads, I ultimately started in the food service industry. Numerous pains and experiences followed before the acquisition..
Leaving the entertainment industry, doing physical labor every day, and steadily saving money, I suddenly looked back and realized my body, mind, and spirit had become stronger. Of course, my stamina too. I felt proud and also wondered if all of this might have been my father's grand plan. My father is truly a mentor and someone I am grateful to.
I no longer feel the dopamine rush I felt in the days when I earned a huge amount of money in just a few hours on stage. I sometimes miss that stage, but now I truly like and am happy with the work I do.
Because I always liked food and eating, I even think I made the right change in profession. I tried hard to learn, endured well, and am doing well now. Above all, thanks to my wife I was able to take on this challenge, which has been a great strength, and I am always grateful.
I am grateful to the customers who come to see me and seek us out, and it makes me prouder and happier to share my positive, bright energy and smiles along with tasty food.
When I first came to New York I often wondered, "What on earth can I do?" The me on stage who only played guitar, sang a little, and acted in front of the camera is now creating my own new stage.
Even if the store does not do well immediately, I can endure it and am confident it will succeed. I have certainly become stronger. And I will try to become a gukbap restaurant owner who is humbler, and humbler still.
This is the honest diary I hadn't dared to write until now in my first time in New York. The end!
[Photo] Song Seung-hyun SNS.
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