Producer Rado returned to the stage as a singer for the first time in 17 years and ultimately shed tears. Memories rushed in all at once, from a past when he had to give up his dream because of poverty to the time it took to become a successful composer.
On the 4th broadcast of KBS2 'Happy Together', Rado made a surprise appearance as a contestant.
When the next contestant team appeared that day, Yu Jae-seok recognized a familiar face and greeted him warmly, saying, "Isn't that Rado?" Although Rado is now well known as a producer who has created numerous hit songs, he began as a singer. Rado debuted in 2009 as the youngest member of the group Someday and became known by singing KBS2's 'Boys Over Flowers' OST 'Do You Know?'
But the popularity of hit songs and actual life were completely different. Rado revealed that during his Someday activities his income was virtually 0 won. To make a living he sometimes performed at wedding songs and earned about 500,000 won at a time. The financial hardship at the time was severe. Rado recalled that four members would share one bowl of food and they sometimes survived for days on a single serving. He even shared an unfortunate anecdote that a thief broke into his house but left because there was nothing to take. Looking back, Rado said, "I couldn't enjoy living like a human being. I didn't even know what it meant to live like a human being," and confessed, "I didn't have money for the bus or for food. It was so hard. I thought, 'Is this what living like a person is?'."
Eventually Rado gave up his dream of being a singer and turned to composing. But the new challenge was not smooth from the start either. While enduring a period when hit songs did not come easily, he first tasted the fruits of his efforts when 'Trouble Maker' succeeded. Rado also recalled going to a convenience store with his younger brother and shopping to his heart's content. Having been unable to buy what he wanted because of money worries, he said that while picking items in the convenience store he thought, "So this is what a rich person's life is like," adding to the emotional impact.
Even so, his desire for the stage did not completely disappear. Rado said, "I thought being a composer was something I had to do rather than something I wanted to do. I thought there would be a stage for me someday," and added, "That is today, 17 years later," drawing attention. There was also something that seemed like coincidence. Rado said that a friend gave him in-ear monitors for his birthday last year and although he didn't know when he would use them then, he actually wore them on stage exactly one year later on this day.
After his first stage in 17 years, Yu Jae-seok did not hold back his praise for Rado. Yu Jae-seok said, "Personally, I'd pay to have him perform at a family event," and also said, "Rado sings so well. In the past when we told him to sing a bit he would say, 'I'll sing when the time comes.'."
Eventually Rado showed the tears he had held back. He confessed, "I realized life doesn't go the way I want," and said, "Seventeen years ago I wanted it so desperately but no one noticed. I felt for the first time that no matter how hard I tried it might not work." He continued, "I really worked hard and gritted my teeth. I met good people and came this far," and expressed overwhelming emotions, saying, "I can't believe I'm back on stage under the name Someday and the feeling is fresh."
Meanwhile, Rado married Apink's Yoon Bomi after 10 years of dating and the two became husband and wife in May. Hearing a couple's love story that day, the newlywed Rado said of his own view, "That's destiny. Marriage has a spark."
[Photo] 'Happy Together'
[OSEN]